Japan's Abe demands school closure amid COVID-19 outbreak

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Thursday that the government will ask all elementary, junior-high and high schools to temporarily close beginning March 2, a couple of weeks ahead of the spring break, in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

Abe made the request at a task force meeting on COVID-19 held at around 6.p.m. local time, adding that the next week or two will be crucial in fighting the outbreak.

"Above everything else, the health and safety of the children should be prioritised, and we should be prepared for the risk of large-scale infections due to many children and teachers gathering for long periods of time on a daily basis," said Abe.

Meanwhile, Abe ordered the government to "prepare necessary legislation to curb the spread of infections and minimize the impact on the lives of people as well as the economy."

The remarks came a day after he asked organizers of big sport and cultural events to consider cancelling or postponing them in the next two weeks.

However, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, nursery schools will be excluded from the nationwide closure request.

As of Thursday afternoon, Japan has confirmed more than 910 infections, with more than 700 of them stemming from the virus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship.