Walks with children 'need not be for essential errands': Government relaxes rules

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.”

It is not thought there will be a set time limit, but parents will be expected to use their good judgment – and to make sure their children respect social distancing rules, cover their faces if they cough or sneeze, and not to touch anything whilst out.

As for those aged 15 to 18 inclusive, they are not included in the 'once-a-day-walk' agreement, but 'as long as they are sufficiently mature', according to the police, they can run necessary errands for their parents, such as supermarket shopping and walking the dog, provided they do so alone.

Full details of what is allowed and what is not will be released shortly, Illa explains.

Government deputy president Pablo Iglesias wrote on Twitter: “Girls and boys should be able to go outside for some fresh air, on short, controlled walks.

“With these measures, a balance can be achieved between protecting everyone from the pandemic, and ensuring children's emotional wellbeing.”