View source for COVID-19 pandemic

[[File:Pokémon Asia coronavirus posters.png|thumb|250px|Pokémon posters promoting washing hands and gargling]]
The '''{{wp|COVID-19 pandemic}}''' is a pandemic of {{wp|coronavirus disease 2019}} (COVID-19) caused by the virus {{wp|Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2|SARS-CoV-2}} that began in December 2019 and was declared by the {{wp|World Health Organization}} to be a {{wp|public health emergency of international concern}} from 30 January, 2020 to 5 May, 2023. Having spread worldwide, it had a significant impact on the world as a whole, including the [[Pokémon]] franchise.

==Pokémon Center and Pokémon Stores==
{{outdated|needs=When each of the Pokémon Center stores reopened permanently}}
As of May 22, 2021, {{OBP|Pokémon Center|store}}s Tokyo DX, Mega Tokyo, Shibuya, Skytree Town, Osaka DX, and Osaka as well as the [[Pokémon Store]] locations at Tokyo Station, Itami Airport, Kansai Airport are temporarily closed. Pokémon Centers Nagoya, Kyoto, and Fukuoka are closed on weekends beginning on May 22. Pokémon Centers Sapporo and Hiroshima and the Pokémon Store locations at New Chitose Airport and Aeon Mall Okayama are closed on the weekends of May 22 and May 29. Most locations continue to have reduced business hours.<ref>[https://voice.pokemon.co.jp/stv/zenten/2020/02/post-10501.html ポケモンセンター・ポケモンストアの営業時間及び休業に関するお知らせ｜ポケモンセンター（全店）]</ref> The Pokémon Center Online website is also operational.

Existing Pokémon retail stores in Japan began closing on April 8, 2020, with all of them being closed by April 18. They began reopening on May 14, with all stores being reopened by June 1.<ref>[https://voice.pokemon.co.jp/stv/zenten/2020/04/post-10510.html 緊急事態宣言に伴うポケモンセンター・ポケモンストアの臨時休業のおしらせ｜ポケモンセンター（全店）]</ref> The Pokémon Store Outlet Kisarazu Shop, which was originally scheduled to open in late April,<ref>[http://monoloog.net/chiba/?p=14637 【週1日～、1日4.5h～OK・オープニングスタッフ募集】4月下旬、袖ヶ浦駅周辺に『ポケモンストア アウトレット 木更津店』が期間限定OPEN]</ref> also opened on June 1.<ref>[https://www.kisarepo.jp/2020/06/05/三井アウトレットパーク木更津に「ポケモンスト/ 三井アウトレットパーク木更津に「ポケモンストア アウトレット木更津店」が6月1日（月）期間限定でオープン！]</ref> On April 25, 2021, some stores were closed due to a state of emergency being declared in {{wp|Tokyo}}, {{wp|Osaka Prefecture|Osaka}}, {{wp|Kyoto Prefecture|Kyoto}}, and {{wp|Hyōgo Prefecture}}.<ref>[https://voice.pokemon.co.jp/stv/zenten/2021/04/post-11104.html 緊急事態宣言に伴うポケモンセンター・ポケモンストアの臨時休業等のおしらせ｜ポケモンセンター（全店）]</ref>

Asterisks (*) in the table below indicate that the store was only closed on weekends during the period beginning with that date.

:{| class="roundtable sortable c" style="background: #D5598C; border: 3px solid #00A1E9"
! rowspan="2" | Location
! colspan="2" | 2020
! colspan="2" | 2021
|-
! Date closed
! Date reopened
! Date closed
! Date reopened
|-
| PC Sapporo || rowspan="3" | April 18, 2020 || May 29, 2020 || May 22, 2021* || May 31, 2021
|-
| PC Tohoku || May 14, 2020 || &mdash; || &mdash;
|-
| New Chitose Airport || May 29, 2020 || May 22, 2021* || May 31, 2021
|-
| PC Tokyo DX || rowspan="7" | April 8, 2020 || rowspan="9" | June 1, 2020 || rowspan="4" | April 25, 2021 || rowspan="4" | TBA
|-
| PC Mega Tokyo
|-
| PC Shibuya
|-
| PC Skytree Town
|-
| PC Tokyo Bay || rowspan="2" | &mdash; || rowspan="2" | &mdash;
|-
| PC Yokohama
|-
| Tokyo Station || April 25, 2021 || TBA
|-
| Outlet Kisarazu || N/A || rowspan="2" | &mdash; || rowspan="2" | &mdash;
|-
| Narita Airport || April 8, 2020
|-
| PC Nagoya || April 11, 2020 || May 19, 2020 || May 22, 2021* || TBA
|-
| PC Kanazawa || colspan="2" | N/A || &mdash; || &mdash;
|-
| Gotemba || April 18, 2020 || May 29, 2020 || &mdash; || &mdash;
|-
| Chubu International Airport || April 11, 2020 || May 20, 2020 || colspan="2" | N/A
|-
| PC Kyoto || April 15, 2020 || rowspan="3" | May 19, 2020 || April 25, 2021<br>May 12, 2021* || May 11, 2021<br>TBA
|-
| PC Osaka DX || rowspan="4" | April 8, 2020 || rowspan="4" | April 25, 2021 || rowspan="4" | TBA
|-
| PC Osaka
|-
| Itami Airport || rowspan="2" | May 25, 2020
|-
| Kansai Airport
|-
| PC Hiroshima || rowspan="3" | April 18, 2020 || May 20, 2020 || rowspan="2" | May 22, 2021* || rowspan="2" | May 31, 2021
|-
| Aeon Mall Okayama || rowspan="2" | May 15, 2020
|-
| Emifull Masaki || &mdash; || &mdash;
|-
| PC Fukuoka || April 8, 2020 || May 19, 2020 || May 22, 2021* || TBA
|-
| Amu Plaza Oita || rowspan="4" | April 18, 2020 || May 18, 2020 || rowspan="2" | &mdash; || rowspan="2" | &mdash;
|-
| Amu Plaza Kagoshima || rowspan="2" | May 15, 2020
|-
| Department Store Ryubo || colspan="2" | N/A
|-
| Aeon Mall Okinawa Rycom || May 16, 2020 || &mdash; || &mdash;
|}

On February 26, 2020, various events and in-store events were canceled or postponed and subsequently canceled as of April 15.<ref>[https://voice.pokemon.co.jp/stv/zenten/2020/02/post-10499.html 【お知らせ】2月29日（土）以降に開催予定のイベントについて｜ポケモンセンター（全店）]</ref> On February 27, the grand opening of Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo previously scheduled for March 6 was postponed.<ref>[https://www.pokemon.co.jp/info/2020/02/200214_p01.html ポケモンセンターメガトウキョーがさらにパワーアップして、3月にグランドオープン！ | ポケットモンスターオフィシャルサイト]</ref> On March 9, various health measures were put in place for employees and large events were canceled until May 6.<ref>[https://voice.pokemon.co.jp/stv/zenten/2020/03/post-10503.html ポケモン関連店舗での感染症予防の取り組みにつきまして｜ポケモンセンター（全店）]</ref> On April 8, due to the aforementioned store closures, customers with April [[birthday]]s will be able to receive {{DL|List of event Pokémon distributions (Sword and Shield)|Pokémon Center Birthday Pokémon}}, crown, card, and coupon promotion until May 31. On May 8, the promotion was extended for customers with April and May birthdays until June 30.<ref>[https://voice.pokemon.co.jp/stv/zenten/2020/04/post-10511.html 緊急事態宣言に伴う、ポケモンセンターのお誕生日サービスについて｜ポケモンセンター（全店）]</ref>

From August 16 to 17, 2020, Pokémon Center Hiroshima was temporarily closed for cleaning due to an employee testing positive for COVID-19.<ref>[https://www.pokemon.co.jp/corporate/PostImages/665734f6c0f471ab1909970d27891bc061b94ea4.pdf 新型コロナウイルス感染者の発生と店舗の臨時休業について - 株式会社ポケモンセンター]</ref><ref>[https://voice.pokemon.co.jp/stv/zenten/2020/08/post-10598.html ポケモンセンターヒロシマ　営業再開のお知らせ｜ポケモンセンター（全店）]</ref> On November 23, Pokémon Cafe Shinsaibashi was temporarily closed for cleaning due to an employee testing positive for COVID-19.<ref>[https://corporate.pokemon.co.jp/PostImages/6c40bd8b675b75ead8c1a732478072c4efd64cf4.pdf 新型コロナウイルス感染者の発⽣と店舗の臨時休業について - 株式会社ポケモンセンター]</ref><ref>[https://voice.pokemon.co.jp/stv/zenten/2020/11/post-10855.html 「ポケモンカフェ心斎橋」に関する営業再開のお知らせ｜ポケモンセンター（全店）]</ref> On December 9, Pokémon Center Kyoto was temporarily closed for cleaning due to an employee testing positive for COVID-19.<ref>[https://corporate.pokemon.co.jp/PostImages/1aca308d6b0ab021224863b7031408244d9fa2d7.pdf 新型コロナウイルス感染者の発⽣と店舗の臨時休業について - 株式会社ポケモンセンター]</ref><ref>[https://voice.pokemon.co.jp/stv/zenten/2020/12/post-10867.html 【重要】ポケモンセンターキョウト　臨時休業のお知らせ｜ポケモンセンター（全店）]</ref> On February 18, 2021, an employee at Pokémon Center Osaka tested positive for COVID-19.<ref>[https://corporate.pokemon.co.jp/PostImages/e853ae561c5cbb1e262762e432dcb7f7e4cedb97.pdf 新型コロナウイルス感染者の発生について - 株式会社ポケモンセンター]</ref> On March 27, 2021, a subcontractor at Pokémon Cafe Shinsaibashi tested positive for COVID-19.<ref>[https://corporate.pokemon.co.jp/PostImages/86b89b3325e907735a804d10d8c67d44e8794aff.pdf 新型コロナウイルス感染者の発生について - 株式会社ポケモンセンター]</ref> On April 22, 2021, a subcontractor at Pokémon Cafe Nihombashi tested positive for COVID-19.<ref>[https://corporate.pokemon.co.jp/PostImages/ea48ec89c3b27d2c010dc984e1ff35707f4b73f9.pdf 新型コロナウイルス感染者の発生について - 株式会社ポケモンセンター]</ref>

In {{pmin|Singapore}}, several in-store events were suspended beginning on March 24, 2020.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/Pokemon.official.Singapore/posts/2556778037982443 Pokémon Singapore on Facebook]</ref> On April 1, the store's anniversary celebrations scheduled for April 11 were postponed.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/Pokemon.official.Singapore/posts/2563724803954433 Pokémon Singapore on Facebook]</ref> On April 4, it was announced that Pokémon Center Singapore would be closed from April 7 to May 4 under new regulations from the Singapore government.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/Pokemon.official.Singapore/posts/2566177360375844 Pokémon Singapore on Facebook]</ref> On May 1, the closure was extended to June 1 to align with the extension of the circuit breaker period.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/Pokemon.official.Singapore/posts/2588452491481664 Pokémon Singapore on Facebook]</ref> On May 26, the closure was extended indefinitely.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/Pokemon.official.Singapore/posts/2610371672623079 Pokémon Singapore on Facebook]</ref> On June 19, Pokémon Center Singapore reopened as part of Phase 2 of Singapore's reopening.<ref>[https://www.jewelchangiairport.com/en/List-of-stores-and-eateries.html List of Stores & Eateries - Jewel Changi Airport]</ref>

In {{pmin|the United States}}, the Pokémon Center website began offering free shipping on April 8, 2020 for a limited time.<ref>[https://twitter.com/pokemon/status/1247962138867576838 Pokémon on Twitter]</ref>

==Play! Pokémon and organized play==
On March 6, 2020, the 2020 Pokémon Europe International Championships were canceled, and adjustments were made to the TCG ruleset to reduce player contact.<ref>[https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/update-for-the-2020-pokemon-europe-international-championships/ Update for the 2020 Pokémon Europe International Championships | Pokemon.com]</ref> On March 13, the Regional Championships in {{wp|Mississauga}}/{{wp|Toronto}}, {{wp|Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte}}, {{wp|Joinville}}, and {{wp|Salt Lake City}} were canceled.<ref>[https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/for-the-health-and-safety-of-the-play-pokemon-community-some-events-have-been-canceled/ For the Health and Safety of the Play! Pokémon Community, Some Events Have Been Canceled | Pokemon.com]</ref> On March 17, all [[Play! Pokémon]]-sanctioned events in the Americas, Oceania, South Africa, and Europe were canceled through May 14.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200318082312/https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/important-update-regarding-play-pokemon-events/ Important Update Regarding Play! Pokémon Events | Pokemon.com] <small>(archived)</small></ref> On March 31, the 2020 North America International Championships and the 2020 Pokémon World Championships were canceled. As a result, the 2020 Play! Pokémon Championship Series was suspended, including all sanctioned Play! Pokémon events. No [[Championship Point]]s would be awarded for the rest of the season. It was also announced that the [[2021 World Championships]] would be held in London in August 2021 in its place.<ref>[https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/2020-pokemon-championship-series-canceled/ 2020 Pokémon Championship Series Canceled | Pokemon.com]</ref><ref>[https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/play-pokemon-2021-championship-series-information/ Play! Pokémon 2021 Championship Series Information | Pokemon.com]</ref><ref>[https://id.portal-pokemon.com/topics/event/200401100710_2020%20POK%C3%89MON%20Championship%20Series%20Dibatalkan.html 2020 POKÉMON CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES DIBATALKAN | The official Pokémon Website in Indonesia]</ref><ref>[https://www.facebook.com/PokemonTCGTH/posts/538003980187951 Pokémon TCG Thailand on Facebook]</ref> On February 9, 2021, the World Championships were subsequently moved to 2022, still being held in London.<ref>[https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/next-pokemon-tcg-video-game-and-pokken-tournament-dx-world-championships-moved-to-2022-in-london/ Next Pokémon TCG, Video Game, and ''Pokkén Tournament DX'' World Championships Moved to 2022 in London | Pokemon.com]</ref><ref>[https://sg.portal-pokemon.com/topics/card/210210112535_pokemon_world_championships.html About the next Pokémon World Championships | The official Pokémon Website in Singapore]</ref><ref>[https://www.pokemon.co.jp/info/2021/02/210212_at01.html 「ポケモンワールドチャンピオンシップス2021」開催中止のお知らせ｜ポケットモンスターオフィシャルサイト]</ref><ref>[https://pokemonkorea.co.kr/news/1/10178 「포켓몬 월드챔피언십2021」개최 취소 안내 | 포켓몬 공식 사이트]</ref>

In Japan, on February 14, 2020, the Asia Top League Kyoto event scheduled for February 23 and Elementary Gym Challenge events after February 29 were canceled.<ref>[https://www.pokemon-card.com/info/2020/20200214_002287.html 「Pokémon Asia Top League Kyoto 2020」の開催中止について | ポケカ公式]</ref><ref>[https://www.pokemon.co.jp/info/2020/02/200214_gm01.html 「小学生ジムチャレンジ」を開催！ みんなでポケモンバトルを楽しもう！ | ポケットモンスターオフィシャルサイト]</ref> On February 21, the Champions League Kyoto event scheduled for March 21 and Pokémon Game Gym events after February 29 were canceled.<ref>[https://www.pokemon-card.com/info/2020/20200221_002311.html 「ポケモンカードゲーム チャンピオンズリーグ2020 京都」開催中止について | ポケカ公式]</ref><ref>[https://www.pokemon.co.jp/info/2020/02/200221_gm01.html 『ポケモン ソード・シールド』を持ち寄って遊ぶ「ポケモンゲームジム」、2月・3月のイベントを紹介！ | ポケットモンスターオフィシャルサイト]</ref> On February 26, City League Season 3, Trainers' League, Gym Battle, Pokémon Card Weekend Limited Battle, Start Battle, Pokémon Card Game Classes, and First Battle events from February 29 to March 19, Extra Battle Day, Challenge from Pokémon Card, and the Pokémon Card Game Caravan event at the Geo Naha Shintoshin store in Okinawa scheduled for March 7 were canceled.<ref>[https://www.pokemon-card.com/info/2020/20200226_002317.html 2020年2月29日（土）以降開催予定のイベントについて | ポケカ公式]</ref> On March 13, cancellations of these events was extended until April 3.<ref>[https://www.pokemon-card.com/info/2020/20200313_002334.html イベント中止期間の延長について | ポケカ公式]</ref> On March 23, the Champions League Miyagi scheduled for April 29, City League Season 4, and Trainers' League events after April 4 were canceled. Gym Battle, Pokémon Card Weekend Limited Battle, Pokémon Card Game Classes, Start Battle, and First Battle events would resume on April 4.<ref name="tcg">[https://www.pokemon-card.com/info/2020/20200323_002342.html 今後のイベントについてニュース詳細 | ポケカ公式]</ref> Three campaigns were launched beginning on April 3, April 17, and May 1 to support Pokémon Card Gym-authorized stores affected by the cancellation of the 10,000 TCG events scheduled during March.<ref>[https://www.pokemon-card.com/info/2020/20200323_002341.html ポケモンカードジム応援キャンペーン実施のお知らせ | ポケカ公式]</ref><ref>[https://www.pokemon-card.com/info/2020/20200417_002365.html 今後のポケモンカードジム店頭キャンペーンについて | ポケカ公式]</ref> On April 22, the Pokémon Japan Championships scheduled for June 27–28 were canceled.<ref name="pjcs">[https://www.pokemon.co.jp/info/2020/04/200422_at01.html 「ポケモンジャパンチャンピオンシップス2020」開催中止について | ポケットモンスターオフィシャルサイト]</ref> On January 22, 2021, the Pokémon [[Dragon King Cup]] 2020 event scheduled for February 6 was canceled.<ref>[https://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/pokemonryuoh/2020/news/210122_01.html 「ポケモン竜王戦2020」開催中止のお知らせ｜「ポケモン竜王戦2020」 公式サイト]</ref>

In {{pmin|South Korea}}, on February 3, 2020, the 2019–20 Korean League Season 2 event scheduled for February 15–16 was postponed.<ref>[https://pokemonkorea.co.kr/pkl2020_s2 2019-20 코리안리그 시즌 2 | 포켓몬 공식 사이트]</ref> On February 22, operations of the Pokémon School were suspended.<ref>[https://pokemonkorea.co.kr/news/976 본사 포켓몬스쿨 운영 중단 안내 | 포켓몬 공식 사이트]</ref> On April 3, all 2019–20 Korean League events were suspended as a result of the cancellation of the World Championships. Mini League and Korean League competitions were also canceled in South Korea.<ref>[https://pokemonkorea.co.kr/news/992 포켓몬 월드챔피언십2020 개최 취소 안내 | 포켓몬 공식 사이트]</ref>

In {{pmin|Greater China|Taiwan}}, on February 13, 2020, the Taiwan Regional League in {{wp|Taichung}} scheduled from February 29 to March 1 was canceled.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/Pokemon.TCG.Official.Taiwan/posts/205950644138310 寶可夢集換式卡牌遊戲 台灣 on Facebook]</ref> On March 20, the Taiwan Regional League in {{wp|Taipei}} scheduled for April 18–19 and Taiwan Town League were postponed.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/Pokemon.TCG.Official.Taiwan/posts/234874581245916 寶可夢集換式卡牌遊戲 台灣 on Facebook]</ref> In {{pmin|Greater China|Hong Kong}}, on March 28, Teaching Day, Card Day, and Gym Battle events scheduled from March 29 to April 11 were postponed by 14 days to comply with public health measures.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/Pokemon.TCG.Official.HongKong/posts/235544227834111 Pokémon TCG Hong Kong on Facebook]</ref> On March 31, the Taiwan Championships, Hong Kong Championships, Regional League, and Town League events were canceled as a result of the cancellation of the World Championships.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/Pokemon.TCG.Official.Taiwan/posts/244633063603401 寶可夢集換式卡牌遊戲 台灣 on Facebook]</ref><ref>[https://www.facebook.com/Pokemon.TCG.Official.HongKong/posts/238281940893673 Pokémon TCG Hong Kong on Facebook]</ref>

On May 14, 2020, an event titled [[Pokémon Players Cup]] was announced<ref>[https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/play-pokemon-players-cup-online-tournament-pokemon-tcg-pokken-tournament-dx-and-pokemon-sword-and-pokemon-shield/ Play! Pokémon Players Cup Online Tournament: Pokémon TCG, Pokkén Tournament DX, and Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield | Pokemon.com]</ref>, featuring online-exclusive tournaments for {{g|Sword and Shield}}, TCG (through [[Pokémon TCG Online]]), and [[Pokken Tournament DX]]. Aside from qualifiers, the event was set in two stages: a double-elimination bracket, broken down by rating zones, held during July; and the top finisher's bracket, held during August. This was the first time the TCG client had been involved in an official western event. Its tournaments were solely held in the Masters Division, due to issues regarding accounts on third-party apps. Three additional Players Cup events were realized during 2020 and 2021 later.

==Games==
Due to the cancellation of the 2020 World Championships, the 2020 International Challenge April and May {{DL|Battle Stadium|Official Competitions|Online Competition}} will neither award Championship Points nor the ability to participate in the Pokémon Japan Championships.<ref name="pjcs"/>

Due to the postponement of advance ticket sales for [[M23]], the corresponding {{DL|List of event Pokémon distributions (Sword and Shield)|Jungle Pokémon|Jungle Celebi and Zarude}} event was postponed until August 7, 2020.<ref name="ticket"/>

In {{pmin|Greater China|Taiwan}}, the launch of the [[Pokémon Tretta]] Championship Collection scheduled for April 2020 was delayed on March 11, 2020.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/SegaTaiwan.CardGame/posts/2732880993496921 SEGA Taiwan 卡片遊戲 on Facebook]</ref>

From April 1 to May 3, 2020, [[Pokémon TCG Online]] players received additional rewards for logging in daily and participating in online matches, although this event has not been officially linked to the pandemic.<ref>[https://forums.pokemontcg.com/topic/74571-spring-bonus-rewards/ Spring Bonus Rewards! - Pokémon TCG Online]</ref>

On July 8, 2020, it was announced that that the English voice recordings for {{mas|Jessie}}, {{mas|James}}, and {{MTR}} in [[Pokémon Masters EX|Pokémon Masters]] had been postponed, and that their voices would be added at a later date.<ref>[https://pokemonmasters-game.com/en-US/announcements/Event_2060_2W_2 Special Event: Double Trouble under way! Team up with Jessie & Arbok! | News | Pokémon Masters official site]</ref>

===Pokémon GO===
On February 28, 2020, {{p|Nidorino}} and {{p|Gengar}} Raid Day scheduled for March 1 was canceled in Japan, South Korea, and {{pmin|Italy}}.<ref>[https://twitter.com/NianticHelp/status/1233497146386788359 "Nidorino and Gengar Raid Day has been canceled in Japan, South Korea, and Italy. Please stay tuned to our channels for updates." | Niantic Support on Twitter]</ref> It was also announced that March 15 [[Community Day]] and other limited-time events would be canceled in these countries.<ref>[https://pokemongolive.com/ja/post/mar2020-events/ 日本・韓国・イタリア地域における3月のコンテンツについて - Pokémon GO]</ref><ref>[https://pokemongolive.com/ja/post/march2020-update/ 3月のゲーム内コンテンツの内容に関して - Pokémon GO]</ref>

On March 12, 2020, the {{p|Abra}} Community Day scheduled for March 15 was postponed worldwide and various adjustments were made to the game.<ref>[https://pokemongolive.com/en/post/updatedevents-abracommunityday/ Updates to events: Abra Community Day - Pokémon GO]</ref> On March 17, Raid Hour was canceled.<ref>[https://pokemongolive.com/en/post/updatedevents-raidhour/ Updates to events: Raid Hour]</ref> On March 18, the Safari Zone events in {{wp|St. Louis}}, {{wp|Liverpool}}, and {{wp|Philadelphia}} were postponed.<ref>[https://nianticlabs.com/blog/liveevents-safarizone-postpone/ Pokémon GO Safari Zone Update - Liverpool and Philadelphia – Niantic]</ref> On March 20, GO Battle League was changed to remove walking and [[PokéCoin]] requirements and to lower the Friendship level requirement for Trainer Battles with friends until May 1.<ref>[https://pokemongolive.com/en/post/gobattleleague-updates/ GO Battle League temporary updates - Pokémon GO]</ref> On March 23, Lugia Raid Week and Raid Hour were canceled.<ref>[https://pokemongolive.com/en/post/lugia-raid-weekend/ Updates to events: Lugia Raid Week - Pokémon GO]</ref> On March 27, the {{p|Thundurus}} and {{p|Cobalion}} Raid Battle events were extended until March 31 and Raid Hours were canceled indefinitely until May 6, 2020.<ref>[https://pokemongolive.com/en/post/updates-20200327/ Updates to events: Thundurus and Cobalion extended, Raid Hour canceled - Pokémon GO]</ref> On March 30, the ''{{DL|Special Research|The Shadow Threat Grows}}'' [[Special Research]] was extended through the end of April.<ref>[https://pokemongolive.com/en/post/april2020/ Shadow Entei still needs help, and Alolan Exeggutor appears in Research Breakthrough encounters - Pokémon GO]</ref> On March 31, the {{OBP|Gym|GO}} interaction distance was doubled.<ref>[https://pokemongolive.com/en/post/gyminteractionupdate-20200331/ Temporary changes to Pokémon GO: Gym interaction distance has been doubled - Pokémon GO]</ref>

On April 3, 2020, it was announced that the hatch distance for {{pkmn|Egg}}s would be halved and that the Pokémon Spotlight Hour and Mystery Bonus Hour events would be combined for the month of April.<ref>[https://pokemongolive.com/en/post/springevent2020/ Spring into spring with Pokémon GO! - Pokémon GO]</ref><ref>[https://pokemongolive.com/en/post/april-spotlight-hour April Pokémon Spotlight Hours - Pokémon GO]</ref> On April 16, it was announced that the Abra Community Day previously scheduled for March will be held on April 25.<ref>[https://pokemongolive.com/en/post/communityday-april2020/ Abra Community Day rescheduled for Saturday, April 25, 2020 - Pokémon GO]</ref> On April 20, the {{p|Landorus}} Raid Battle event was extended until April 28.<ref>[https://www.pokemongolive.com/en/post/updatedevents-landorus/ Updates to events: Landorus in raids  - Pokémon GO]</ref> On April 27, Remote Raid Passes were added, allowing players to play Raids at any Gyms visible on their screen.<ref>[https://pokemongolive.com/post/raidbattleupdate-april2020 New ways to raid, power up your Pokémon, receive Gifts to send out, and more - Pokémon GO]</ref> On April 30, it was announced that no new Team GO Rocket Special Research tasks would be added from May to September.<ref>[https://pokemongolive.com/en/post/may2020/ May’s Research Breakthrough encounter and Pokémon Spotlight Hours - Pokémon GO]</ref>

On May 12, 2020, it was announced that a Play at Home section would be made available on the Pokémon GO website and in-game in the Poké Ball menu.<ref>[https://pokemongolive.com/post/playathome-menu Your guide to playing Pokémon GO at home is coming soon - Pokémon GO]</ref> It was made available on the website on May 15.<ref>[https://www.pokemongolive.com/play-at-home/ Play at Home - Pokémon GO]</ref>

==TCG==
[[File:World Down logo.png|thumb|250px|Logo for World Down]]
The {{TCG|Rebel Clash Build & Battle Box}} were released early to select retailers for sale on April 18, 2020 in place of being given to {{DL|Play! Pokémon|Prerelease Tournaments|Prerelease Tournament}} participants.<ref>[https://www.pokemon.com/uk/pokemon-news/have-quick-fun-pokemon-tcg-matches-with-sword-shield-rebel-clash-build-battle-boxes/ Have Quick, Fun Pokémon TCG Matches with Sword & Shield—Rebel Clash Build & Battle Boxes | Pokémon.com]</ref>

Due to the cancellation of March 2020-May 2020 Pokémon Card Gym events, the {{TCG|S-P Promotional cards}} in the pack were not distributed until the resumption of events on April 4, 2020. On April 7, the name of World Down was changed to {{TCG|Infinity Zone}}, likely due to the negative connotations of the previous name.<ref>[https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0855V922Z ポケモンカードゲーム ソード＆シールド 拡張パック 「ムゲンゾーン」 BOX | Amazon]</ref>
{{-}}

==Anime==
[[File:Ash Goh COVID-19 artwork.png|thumb|250px|Artwork of {{Ash}} and [[Goh]] posted for the anime's return]]
On April 3, 2020, two [[Pokémon movie]]s began to be added weekly to [[Pokémon TV]] as part of a Pokémon Movie Marathon.<ref>[https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/home-fun-for-pokemon-fans/ Home Fun for Pokémon Fans | Pokemon.com]</ref>

In Japan, from March 9 to April 5, 2020, ''[[Pokémon the Series: XY]]'', ''[[Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon]]'', and ''[[Pokémon Journeys: The Series]]'' were made available for free on [[Prime Video]] to all customers with an Amazon account due to the closure of schools in Japan. It was subsequently extended until May 31.<ref>[https://twitter.com/primevideo_jp/status/1236939828681248769 Amazon Prime Video（プライムビデオ） on Twitter]</ref><ref>[https://www.amazon.co.jp/b?node=8101704051 Amazonアカウントをお持ちならどなたでも│期間限定無料配信 | Prime Video | Amazon.co.jp]</ref> From March 18 to 31, April 8 to 30, and May 1 to May 31, all episodes of ''[[Pokémon Journeys: The Series]]'' were made available for free on the official Pokémon [[YouTube]] channel.<ref>[https://twitter.com/anipoke_pr/status/1240127036846419970 アニメ「ポケットモンスター」公式 on Twitter]</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/anipoke_pr/status/1247781223964917767 アニメ「ポケットモンスター」公式 on Twitter]</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/anipoke_pr/status/1255753755192029185 アニメ「ポケットモンスター」公式 on Twitter]</ref> From April 17 to May 6, the cable channel [[Kids Station]] was made free-to-watch each day from 6:00 AM to 12:00 noon in response to the state of emergency declared on April 7.<ref>[https://www.kids-station.com/program/freewatch 今月の無料放送 | キッズステーション]</ref>

On April 3, 2020, ticket preorders for [[M23]] scheduled for April 17 were postponed. <ref>[https://www.pokemon-movie.jp/news/?p=3868 『劇場版ポケットモンスター ココ』特別前売券 発売日延期のお知らせ│ニュース│ポケモン映画公式サイト]</ref> On May 13, it was announced that its Japanese theatrical release has also been postponed.<ref>[https://www.pokemon-movie.jp/news/?p=3873 『劇場版ポケットモンスター ココ』公開延期のお知らせ│ニュース│ポケモン映画公式サイト]</ref> On May 20, the preview screenings scheduled for June 28 were canceled.<ref>[https://www.pokemon-movie.jp/news/?p=3878 『劇場版ポケットモンスター ココ』小学館連合試写会中止のお知らせ│ニュース│ポケモン映画公式サイト]</ref> In the July 2020 issue of [[CoroCoro]] released on June 15, it was announced that ticket preorders would begin on August 7 and that the movie would be released in winter 2020.<ref name="ticket">[https://www.pokemon-movie.jp/news/?p=3880 『劇場版ポケットモンスター ココ』特別前売券 発売日決定！映画公開は今年の冬に決定！│ニュース│ポケモン映画公式サイト]</ref> Later, the new release date was confirmed as December 25, 2020. Despite this delay, the tie-in event introducing {{mas|Jessie}} and her {{TP|Jessie|Arbok}} as a new [[sync pair]], and {{mas|James}} and {{MTR}} as NPCs in [[Pokémon Masters EX|Pokémon Masters]], went on as originally scheduled on July 9, 2020. A similar tie-in event in [[Pokémon GO]] that introduced [[Jessie]] and [[James]] as members of [[Team GO Rocket]] was released later that day.

On April 19, 2020, following the broadcast of [[JN022]], it was announced that reruns would be aired in place of new episodes on [[TV Tokyo]] due to parts of production going on break, the only unplanned hiatus of the anime since the [[EP038|Porygon incident]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/anipoke_PR/status/1251805236231954435 アニメ「ポケットモンスター」公式 on Twitter]</ref> On May 31, it was announced that new episodes would resume on June 7 after a seven-week hiatus.<ref>[https://twitter.com/anipoke_PR/status/1266866984760651777 アニメ「ポケットモンスター」公式 on Twitter]</ref> The following episodes were delayed as a result:

:{| class="roundtable c" style="background: #D5598C; border: 3px solid #00A1E9"
! [[Bulbapedia:Epicode|<span style="color:#000;">Code</span>]]
! Japanese title
! Planned broadcast
! Actual broadcast
|-
| [[JN023]]
| {{tt|大パニック！サクラギパーク！|A Massive Panic! Sakuragi Park!}}
| April 26, 2020
| June 7, 2020
|-
| [[JN024]]
| {{tt|休め！ロケット団！|Take a Break! Rocket-dan!}}
| May 3, 2020
| June 14, 2020
|-
| [[JN025]]
| {{tt|命爆発バトルフェス！VSメガルカリオ！！|A Battle Festival Exploding With Life! VS Mega Lucario!!}}
| May 10, 2020
| June 21, 2020
|-
| [[JN026]]
| {{tt|はねろ！コイキング<br>かぶれ！ヤドキング|Jump! Koiking / Put it On! Yadoking}}
| May 17, 2020
| June 28, 2020
|-
| [[JN027]]
| {{tt|英雄伝説！ダンデ最強バトル！！|Legends of Heroes! Dande's Greatest Battle!!}}
| May 24, 2020
| July 5, 2020
|-
| [[JN028]]
| {{tt|めそめそメッソン|Sobbing Messon}}
| May 31, 2020
| July 12, 2020
|-
| [[JN029]]
| {{tt|パチパチやきもち！ワンパチのきもち|Electrifying Jealousy! Wanpachi's Feelings}}
| June 7, 2020
| July 19, 2020
|}

On May 15, 2020, the official Japanese Twitter account and the Korean official site posted an apology that ''[[TW05|Assistant]]'', the fifth episode of [[Pokémon: Twilight Wings]] originally scheduled for release in May, had been postponed until June 5.<ref>[https://twitter.com/Pokemon_cojp/status/1261129215241605121 ポケモン公式ツイッター on Twitter]</ref><ref>[https://pokemonkorea.co.kr/sword_shield?Smfh6cxmWCVi&contentId=lmfKo6As0Oa 오리지널 애니메이션 「새벽빛의 날개」 5화 공개 안내 | 「포켓몬스터소드·실드」공식 사이트]</ref> On May 18, the official Chinese Facebook accounts also announced it had been postponed until June 5.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/Pokemon.Official.Taiwan/posts/1728875253919315 寶可夢 台灣 on Facebook]</ref><ref>[https://www.facebook.com/Pokemon.Official.HongKong/posts/2986651798116889 寶可夢 香港 on Facebook]</ref>

In {{pmin|South Korea}}, on April 9, 2020, the theatrical release of [[M22]] scheduled for May 2020 was postponed; the film would eventually be released on September 30.<ref>[https://pokemonkorea.co.kr/news/994 극장판 포켓몬스터 「뮤츠의 역습 EVOLUTION」 개봉 연기 안내 | 포켓몬 공식 사이트]</ref> On July 20, 2021, the theatrical release of [[M23]] scheduled for August 2021 was postponed; the film is currently scheduled for release on September 15.<ref>[https://pokemonkorea.co.kr/news/3/10475 극장판 포켓몬스터 「정글의 아이, 코코」개봉 일정 변경에 대한 안내 | 포켓몬 공식 사이트]</ref>

In {{pmin|Malaysia}}, {{pmin|the Philippines}}, and {{pmin|Singapore}}, two episodes of [[S01|Pokémon: Indigo League]] were uploaded daily from April 17 to May 12, 2020 to the official YouTube channel for a limited time until June 22 (Malaysia and Singapore)/September 13 (Philippines) as part of the "Home Fun for Pokémon Fans" campaign.<ref name="my">[https://my.portal-pokemon.com/topics/event/200417144518_home_fun_for_pokemon_fans.html Home Fun for Pokémon Fans | The official Pokémon Website in Malaysia]</ref><ref name="ph">[https://ph.portal-pokemon.com/topics/event/200417133528_home_fun_for_pokemon_fans.html Home Fun for Pokémon Fans | The official Pokémon Website in Philippines]</ref><ref name="sg">[https://sg.portal-pokemon.com/topics/event/200417120749_home_fun_for_pokemon_fans.html Home Fun for Pokémon Fans | The official Pokémon Website in Singapore]</ref> In {{pmin|Greater China|Hong Kong}}, two episodes of the Cantonese dub of [[S01|Pokémon: Indigo League]] were uploaded daily from May 12 to June 6 to the official YouTube channel for a limited time until July 13 as part of the "Home Fun for Pokémon Fans" campaign.<ref name="hk">[https://hk.portal-pokemon.com/topics/event/200512120000_home_fun_for_pokemon_fans.html Home Fun for Pokémon Fans | The official Pokémon Website in Hong Kong]</ref>

In {{pmin|New Zealand}}, TVNZ aired reruns of [[S18|Pokémon the Series: XY Kalos Quest]] from March 30 to April 27, 2020 in a late morning timeslot on {{wp|TVNZ Duke}} as part of Duke Jr., a block of children's programming designed to keep children entertained during the day while they were stuck at home during the national lockdown imposed by the government in response to the pandemic.<ref>[https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=12320288 Covid 19 coronavirus: TVNZ launches Duke Jr. and expands kids content on TVNZ 2 - NZ Herald]</ref>

In {{pmin|Brazil}}, the dub for ''Pokémon Journeys: The Series'' stopped for over four months after ''[[JN004|Settling the Scorbunny!]]'' had been dubbed, and after that time, some voice actors started voicing their characters remotely. Some episodes of season 23 were dubbed over the Japanese audio instead of English, for the first time in Brazil since early episodes of ''[[S01|Indigo League]]'', as a result of the pandemic.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1Dnv-dwqwk Renan Nest on YouTube]</ref><ref>[https://www.twitch.tv/videos/766679340 leegusta_ on Twitch]</ref>

On August 18, 2021, [[Shinichiro Miki]], James's Japanese voice actor, was diagnosed with COVID-19.<ref>https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-08-18/voice-actor-shinichiro-miki-diagnosed-with-covid-19-but-has-no-symptoms-now/.176395</ref> On August 25, 2021, Shinichiro Miki's Twitter account announced that he was well and recovering, and that he would gradually return to work.<ref>https://twitter.com/miki_shin318/status/1430366161330335744</ref>

On August 24, 2022, [[Rica Matsumoto]] publicly announced that she had contracted COVID-19.<ref>https://twitter.com/rica_matsumoto3/status/1562425248179298305</ref> Before her, [[Daiki Yamashita]] had also been announced that he had been diagnosed with COVID-19, as well as voice actress [[Lynn]] who worked on some series like [[Pokémon: Twilight Wings]] <ref>https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-07-29/lynn-daiki-yamashita-kohei-amasaki-tasuku-hatanaka-aina-aiba-hikaru-diagnosed-with-covid-19/.188173</ref>, [[Aoi Yūki]] <ref>https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-07-29/voice-actress-aoi-yuki-diagnosed-with-covid-19/.188145</ref> and [[Kana Hanazawa]] <ref>https://www.crunchyroll.com/pt-br/anime-news/2022/04/07-1/voice-actor-kana-hanazawa-tests-positive-for-covid-19</ref>

==Other==
{{SmashWiki|COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on competitive Smash}}
In {{pmin|the United States}}, {{wp|HBO}} made the live action film {{DetPikMov}} available for free as part of a #StayHomeBoxOffice campaign from April 3, 2020 to the end of the month through the HBO NOW or HBO GO {{wp|Mobile app|apps}}.<ref>[https://pressroom.warnermediagroup.com/us/media-release/hbo-0/stayhomeboxoffice/hbo-encourages-viewers-stayhomeboxoffice-hundreds-hours-free-programming HBO Encourages Viewers to #StayHomeBoxOffice with Hundreds of Hours of Free Programming | Pressroom]</ref>

In Japan, materials from the [https://www.pokemon.jp/special/illust-lab/ Pokémon Illustration Lab], which were previously only available for education, child care, public, and medical facilities, was opened to use for families with children of elementary school age and below beginning on March 6, 2020. On April 7, the Pokémon Card Game Support Desk and the Pokémon GO Special Dial were suspended beginning on April 8.<ref name="support">[https://www.pokemon-support.com/news/s/article/000002192 新型コロナウィルス感染拡大に伴う一部のお問い合わせ窓口閉鎖について]</ref> On April 8, it was announced that the [[Pokémon with You]] Train service would be suspended from April 10 to May 31.<ref>[https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2020/20200408_ho01.pdf 「のってたのしい列車」の運休について：JR東日本]</ref> On April 17, the hours of Pokémon Customer Support Center were reduced.<ref name="support"/> From April 20 to August 14, [[Creatures, Inc.]] ceased recruitment for new positions within the company, which at the time included several Pokémon game and TCG related positions.<ref>[https://www.creatures.co.jp/recruit/ Creatures, Inc. recruitment page]</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/Sephazon/status/1251910019722784768 Robert Sephazon on Twitter]</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/Creatures_Inc/status/1294119471510982657 Creatures, Inc. on Twitter]</ref> On April 30, Pokémon Local Acts goods began being sold online due to the pandemic making it difficult to purchase the goods in-person while visiting the respective localities.<ref>[https://local.pokemon.jp/info/ec2020.html コラボ商品のインターネット販売について｜ポケモンローカルActs - ポケモンだいすきクラブ]</ref> On May 29, a Pokémon Fun at Home page was put up on the official website.<ref>[https://support.pokemon.jp/special/ouchipokemon/ ポケモン おうちで楽しめるサービス]</ref>

In {{pmin|Thailand}}, beginning on March 26, 2020, the official Facebook page began a #FunFromHome campaign.

In {{pmin|Malaysia}}, {{pmin|the Philippines}}, and {{pmin|Singapore}}, printable activity coloring pages were made available on April 17, 2020 as part of the "Home Fun for Pokémon Fans" campaign.<ref name="my"/><ref name="ph"/><ref name="sg"/> They were later made available in {{pmin|Vietnam}} on April 20, {{pmin|Greater China|Hong Kong}} on May 12, and {{pmin|Indonesia}} on June 10.<ref>[https://vn.portal-pokemon.com/topics/event/200420182500_home_fun_for_pokemon_fans.html Ở nhà thật vui cùng Pokémon | The official Pokémon Website in Vietnam]</ref><ref name="hk"/><ref>[https://id.portal-pokemon.com/topics/event/200610113000_home_fun_for_pokemon_fans.html Permainan Menyenangkan #Dirumahaja buat Penggemar Pokémon | The official Pokémon Website in Indonesia]</ref>

In {{pmin|Poland}}, the release of the February 2021 issue of ''{{tt|Pokémon. Trenuj ze mną!|Pokémon. Train with me!}}'' was delayed by a month because of late release of the {{TCG|Battle Styles}} expansion to Europe, which was due to COVID-19-related issues.<ref>[https://blue-ocean-polska.pl/pokemony-juz-wkrotce-w-kioskach/ Pokémony już wkrótce w kioskach | Blue Ocean Entertainment Polska website (in Polish)]</ref>

===Deaths===
* [[List of Japanese voice actors|Kumiko Okae]], the Japanese voice actress of {{OBP|Jenny|M08}} in [[M08]], died of COVID-19 on April 23, 2020, at the age of 63.<ref>[https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/04/24/national/actress-kumiko-okae-dies-coronavirus Drama star Kumiko Okae, host of 'Hanamaru Market,' dies from coronavirus at 63]</ref>

<gallery>
Kumiko Okae.png|Kumiko Okae
</gallery>

==As a censored word==
{{incomplete|section|Test behavior in Nintendo 3DS core Pokémon games running a later firmware. Is this also relevant to non-core games such as [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX]]?}}
On the [[Nintendo Switch]] firmware (as of Ver. 15.0.1) and in {{LGPE}}, {{g|Sword and Shield}}, {{g|Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl}}, {{g|Legends: Arceus}}, and {{g|Scarlet and Violet}}, "Coronavirus" and "Covid" are [[censored words]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Pokémon meta]]

[[it:Effetti della pandemia di COVID-19 sul franchise Pokémon]]
[[ja:新型コロナウイルス感染症の流行による影響]]