Japan:

Sunday 17th May, 06:09 PM JST

OSAKA — More than 1,000 educational facilities—kindergartens, and elementary, junior and senior high schools—in Osaka and Hyogo prefectures have decided to suspend classes for certain periods following the confirmation of new flu infections in the prefectures, local authorities said Sunday. The two prefectures have requested private schools to follow suit.

Osaka Gov Toru Hashimoto told a press conference, ‘‘I ask Osaka residents to wash their hands and wear masks...While the prefectural government will take all possible measures (to counter the new flu), I expect the people of Osaka to remain calm.’’ Hashimoto also said it would be necessary to shift the current emergency response to the new influenza to that for seasonal flu at some point, saying, ‘‘Otherwise, urban functions will be stalled.’’
hattip Pixie