SPAIN'S government has relaxed rules on children aged 14 and under being able to go out accompanied by a parent or guardian – in response to widespread criticism, the requirement for the trip to be for 'essential purchases or errands' has now been lifted.
Yesterday, health minister Salvador Illa said children and young teenagers would be allowed, after April 26, to go to the supermarket, pharmacy, or on other necessary outings with one adult whom they lived with, but his own MPs, as well as the opposition and the general public, complained.
They said kids should be allowed to go out for a short walk every day, even if no errand is made, because it is beneficial to their physical and mental wellbeing.
Up to now, the only children who have left the four walls of their own homes have been those of single parents, or who have a parent at work in a key occupation, such as the health service, since it would have been illegal to leave them at home alone if there was no adult on the premises.
Whilst adults have at least been able to make essential trips to the supermarket or to pick up prescriptions, children have not even been able to do this.
Paediatric psychologists have warned that behavioural and mental health problems are starting to set in among kids suffering 'cabin fever' – even more so when they have existing issues, such as ADD, ADHD, Tourette's, or an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
It has now been agreed that children aged 14 and under can go out for a brief period once a day with an adult from their household.
Illa says: “Going for a walk means going for a walk; it does not have to be a walk to a specific shop or other establishment.”
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com