Entrance ceremonies were held Monday at many schools in Tokyo, Yokohama and other cities where schools have been closed since early March due to the spread of the new coronavirus.
The ceremonies were held amid high alert. The new first-grade students were asked to wear masks, while the schools did not allow other students and guests to attend the ceremonies.
In the gymnasium of Katsushika Elementary School in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo, where 54 children newly enrolled, the students and up to two members of each entering student's family sat down with a sizeable space between them.
"You can't study at school now. You will have to endure for the time being, but please do your best," the school's principal said to the new first-year students, who appeared nervous from under their masks. The ceremony concluded after about 10 minutes without the ceremonial singing of the school song.
In Yokohama, about 480 elementary and junior high schools held entrance ceremonies. At Nakayama Elementary School in Midori Ward in the city, seats were separated from each other, and the ceremonial singing of the city song was cut from the program.
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