[Please post everything relating to COVID-19 here]

Hi all,

As you may already know, at 19:10 last night, Shinzo Abe announced that all public schools for Elementary/Middle/Junior/Senior high schools will be closed from March 2nd to early April. I've seen some posts here already expressing concerns regarding the matter and about COVID-19 as a whole. However, as this is still really fresh, many prefectures and CO's will handle this in many different ways.

I'm aware that as I'm writing this most of us still do not have further news from the BoE at this time, so we're currently awaiting further instructions. At this current moment, I'm also waiting news from my own BoE about me and other ALT's situation in our area. Lots of announcements over the speaker though my end.

Please feel free to write about your situation here or developments, and be aware that ESID is very much applicable. It is a case by case basis on what people's situation would be regarding attendance or non attendance at your CO or BoE. I also advise you to look out and follow any emails you receive from your PA's regarding the matter when they come.

Let's be kind, understanding and supportive to one another at this time!

Let's also use this space to express any concerns, advice or experiences regarding BoE, COVID-19 and/or CO and how they/we are handling the news/acting upon it.

EDIT (25th March 2020): Please keep as much of the pandemic stuff to this thread. All other threads will be removed from here-on out.

EDIT (27th March 2020): CLAIR dropped another email with respects to the situation and work.

Credit of the (meme) link on this final edit goes to a kind user in JETProgramemes on Facebook.

EDIT (29th March 2020): 2 ALTS confirmed with COVID-19 in Akita, over 200 new reported cases rise in Tokyo of COVID-19 positive individuals and [Abe finally stating that should the panel of experts advise so, schools may be closed until further notice]

(https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASN3X6JJ6N3XULFA00S.html) . Thanking everybody for the links provided over the course of a few days!

EDIT (1st April 2020 - Not an April fools joke): Public Tokyo Schools to remain closed till after GOLDEN WEEK. Also, some info that might be important for US JETs who have already made up their mind to break contract.

EDIT (2nd April 2020): US Embassy writes letters to all US English Teachers living in Japan RE Pandemic

EDIT (6th April 2020): Emergency to be possibly announced tomorrow!

EDIT (7th April 2020): 7 Prefectures announced in state of emergency.

EDIT (9th April 2020): Hear ye hear ye! Check your junkbox, the 5th "Special Edition" of CLAIR's email has been unleashed onto the masses.

EDIT (4/20 Blaze it): 6th "Special Edition" of CLAIR's email dropped. (April 17th)

Abe extends state of emergency to all prefectures

Unrelated, but one of the teachers in the office dropped an アビのマスク today on my desk.