By Sandra Sotelo Aboy, Spain
Credit: Caroline Hernandez, www.unsplash.com
BARCELONA - Children under 14 in Spain are now allowed to go out on “controlled walks” for an hour a day from April 26 if they are accompanied by a responsible adult, with a maximum of 3 kids if going out in groups. They are also only allowed to go for these walks around their homes to a distance of one kilometer and between 9 am to 9 pm.
The order was published at the official bulletin of the government that also specified that walks can be done on any road or space for public use, including natural spaces and authorized green areas but access to children’s outdoor recreational spaces, as well as sports facilities, will not be allowed.
A responsible adult is understood to be a person of legal age who currently lives with the child at the same address or is a household employee in charge of the minor.
When the responsible adult is a different person from the parents, foster parents, custodians, or legal guardians, they must have prior authorization from them.
The children can bring and play with their own toys but they cannot share them with others as a distance of at least two meters must be maintained between third parties.
It is the responsibility of the accompanying adult to ensure that the recommended prevention and hygiene measures are complied with. Masks are not obligatory but highly recommended.
Children who have symptoms, who are in home isolation due to a diagnosis by Covid-19, or who are in a period of home quarantine for having had contact with any person with the disease, are not allowed to go out.
Two Filipina moms are divided over letting their children out after the order was published.
Eden Santos said she has decided to keep her 3-year-old kid inside as she cannot stop her son from approaching others when they are outside. She describes him as “very friendly, even to strangers.”
“I will not take out Lucas, because he likes to run and play around. He is a very happy kid and I will not stop him from doing something that he enjoys doing, so we will not go out for now,” Santos added.
On the other hand, Sheryl Cordero, who has a 2-year-old daughter has decided to take advantage of the decision to ease restrictions on movement of children and is taking her kid out tomorrow.
“Children like my daughter Carla need to go out. It will be an advantage for them physically, emotionally and psychologically and it will also help them understand the situation,” Cordero explained.
The easing on the confinement restrictions for children is part of the new measures of the country’s extension of the State of Alarm lockdown until May 9.
‘These supervised outings will have numerous beneficial effects on our children, both physical and emotional, especially on those who live in the most vulnerable households,’ said Health Minister Salvador Illa.
‘Not all homes have the same conditions and not all lifestyles are the same. As a result, this is also an equality measure," he added.
This order will be enforced for the entire duration of the State of Alarm and its possible extensions. Children have been ordered under home confinement for the past 6 weeks.
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