Panel proposes mask wearing in nurseries
17:53 JST, February 5, 2022
TOKYO (Jiji Press) — A government panel of experts on novel coronavirus responses proposed Friday that nursery school children be encouraged to wear masks as much as possible, following the rapid spread of the omicron variant of the novel coronavirus among children.
The panel also asked that schools avoid group singing, playing wind instruments and exercises that involve students being in close range with one another.
The government will incorporate the proposals in its basic pandemic response policy as early as this week.
Until now, the government in its guidelines on COVID-19 measures at nursery schools has said that it would not recommend that all children wear masks. The government, however, has decided to change the guidelines temporarily.
In a draft proposal submitted to Friday’s meeting, the government said that it will recommend mask wearing by children aged 2 or older.
After several experts said that children should not be lumped together, as the pace of development differs from child to child, the proposal was altered to say that Japan will promote mask wearing for children who are deemed reasonably able to do this.
For students higher in the education system, the panel suggested that schools temporarily suspend practice games with other schools and training camps.
It called on schools to introduce a combination of staggered school attendance and online classes before they choose to close down the entire school temporarily.
The panel adopted a negative view on temporary schoolwide closures at schools that have not reported COVID-19 cases among their students, stressing the need for careful consideration.
“With the number of COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms rising, especially among the elderly, there is a bigger burden on the medical system targeting coronavirus patients and on the general medical system,” Shigeru Omi, head of the panel, told a press conference.
"Society" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Shinkansen Services Suspended After Man ‘Searches for Phone’ on Tracks; Disruption Affects About 14,000 Passengers
-
U.S. 7th Fleet officer Arrested on Suspicion of Stealing Sushi, Sashimi, Chicken at Kanagawa Shopping Mall; Suspect Caught Mid-Meal
-
JAL Airplane Experiences Radio Malfunction During Flight, Lands Safely By Relying on Light Signals
-
Cherry tree falls on man on Sanneizaka steps leading to famous Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto
-
Strong Earthquake Rocks Southern Part of Kyushu; No Risk of a Tsunami
JN ACCESS RANKING
- China Mutes Memorialization of Reformer Hu Yaobang; Memories Could Spark Critique of Xi Administration
- Shinkansen Services Suspended After Man ‘Searches for Phone’ on Tracks; Disruption Affects About 14,000 Passengers
- U.S. 7th Fleet officer Arrested on Suspicion of Stealing Sushi, Sashimi, Chicken at Kanagawa Shopping Mall; Suspect Caught Mid-Meal
- UNRWA Director Describes Catastrophic Destruction in Gaza; Says Relief Trucks Robbed, ‘People’s Hearts Destroyed’
- JAL Airplane Experiences Radio Malfunction During Flight, Lands Safely By Relying on Light Signals