Coronavirus Scare: Japan Shuts Down Public Schools

Japan Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe on Thursday announced a temporary shutdown of public schools in the country from March 2 to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

According to the prime minister, the government considers the health and safety of children above anything else.

“We request all primary, junior high and high schools… across the nation to close temporarily from March 2 next week until their spring break.”

“Efforts to prevent the spread of infections among children are being made in various areas,” Abe said.

Many public elementary and junior high schools in northern Hokkaido were closed on Thursday as the governor has requested the public schools to be closed for about a week.

Osaka, Japan's large port city also said it will close its kindergartens, elementary and junior high schools from Saturday for two weeks