Schools hit by COVID-19 in Japan called off classes Tuesday, while other schools were asked by local education boards to consider shortening or downsizing upcoming graduation ceremonies.
In Hokkaido, where 30 people have been infected with the pneumonia-causing virus, a number of schools remained closed after the three-day weekend through Monday.
An elementary school in Nakafurano will be closed through March 3 after two brothers tested positive for the virus, while the education board of Ebetsu decided to close a junior high school in its district through March 6 after a male teacher there was infected.