The government has started discussing a plan to distribute fabric masks to students at about 30,000 elementary and junior high schools nationwide as part of efforts to prevent cluster infections at schools and a community spread of the new coronavirus.
Each student is expected to receive one reusable mask as face masks have continued to be in short supply since January.
The government intends to start distributing the masks as early as possible, before the start of the new academic year for schools.
All students at public and private elementary and junior high schools are expected to receive masks, but high schools not included.
According to an education ministry research, there are about 20,000 public and private elementary schools with about 6.36 million students, and about 10,000 junior high schools with about 3.21 million students nationwide. The number of students to receive masks is expected to be nearly 10 million.
The government is now working out details on how and when the masks should be distributed.
The government has already made a lump-sum purchase of about 20 million fabric masks, and started distributing them to nursing homes and other facilities.
There is a prospect of the government ensuring tens of millions of fabric masks by the end of April as the import of masks from China and other countries has started again, according to government sources.
The ministry has announced an infection control manual to elementary, junior and senior high schools ahead of restarting their classes, asking all people in the classroom to wear a mask in principle.
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