Feature: Children return to streets of Buenos Aires after lengthy quarantine for COVID-19
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail Xinhua, May 17, 2020
BUENOS AIRES, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Children and adolescents from across Argentina's capital Buenos Aires returned to the city streets on Saturday on the first day of recreational outings permitted by authorities after almost two months in quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Children under 16 years of age are currently only allowed out on weekends, for no longer than one hour, and no more than 500 meters from their homes.
"All minors must be in the company of an adult whose identity document determines the day they may go out. If it ends in an even number, they can go out today, because it is an even Saturday on the 16th, and if the document ends in an odd number, they will be able to go out tomorrow, which is Sunday the 17th," spokesmen for the Buenos Aires city government told Xinhua.
The neighborhoods of Villa Urquiza, Belgrano, and Villa Pueyrredon in the north of the capital saw hundreds of children on the city streets, once again able to enjoy the fresh air.
"They are happy to be outdoors again. It was almost 60 days of total confinement for them," Laura, a mother of two, told Xinhua.
Despite being allowed outside, children must still observe social distancing measures and avoid playing in groups.
"I was bored at home, unable to go to school or see my friends. Now at least I'm walking around the neighborhood," said teenager Anna, accompanied by her mother, Veronica.
"It has been almost two months since my son has gone out. It was a difficult situation for the whole family, but now we are taking advantage of these five blocks to take a walk and be in the sun," said Florencia, accompanied by her son, Tomas.
Neighborhood sidewalks, quiet for weeks, were once again the site of heavy bicycle, skateboard, and baby carriage traffic.
The vice president of the Latin American Society of Pediatric Infectology, Roberto Debbag, told local press that "parents should chat with children so that they know it is a recreational outing, to be together outdoors at a certain time, but that they will not be in contact with other children or with other adults."
Buenos Aires city's Minister of Health, Fernan Quiros, stated that recreational outings should not affect the contagion curve if the established guidelines are followed.
Argentina, which will continue to be under quarantine until May 24, has registered 7,479 cases of COVID-19, with 2,833 of the cases reported in Buenos Aires. Enditem
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)