Solon calls on IATF: Allow children to go outside for exercise, play

Published June 09, 2020 11:12 AM By ERWIN COLCOL, GMA News

ACT-CIS party-list Representative Niña Taduran on Tuesday called on the government to already allow children go out of their homes so that they could exercise and play under the sun while practicing minimum health standards.

In a statement, Taduran urged the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to allow children outside as long as they are wearing face masks, avoiding crowds, and being attended to by adults.

According to the general community quarantine guidelines issued by Malacañang, persons 20 years and below and 60 years old and above, as well as those with health risk factors, must stay at home.

But Taduran argued that children who have been locked up inside their homes for almost three months already may suffer from "cabin fever" or irritability for being isolated for a long period of time.

"Children need sun exposure for Vitamin D and stronger immune system. Although they have their gadgets to play at home, children are happier when they can walk, run, and ride their bikes outside," she said.

Taduran said that according to Dr. Kellyn Conde Sy, a molecular biology and biotechnology graduate from the University of the Philippines, lockdowns could cause extreme sadness among children.

"The psychological development and well-being of a locked up child is not healthy,” she added.

In accommodating her request, Taduran said IATF may choose to limit the hours that children are allowed outside to play.

Children must also not be left unattended by an adult, she added.

Aside from exercise and play, Taduran said children should also be allowed to go outside for other important matters like consultations with their pediatricians, vaccination, as well as availing of eye glasses especially that the reopening of "virtual" classes are only two months away.

She also called on the IATF to issue unified guidelines to be observed in areas under general community quarantine and modified general community quarantine to avoid public confusion.

“The children’s mental health is affected by this pandemic. They feel isolated, depressed, and scared, especially those who have challenging home environments," Taduran said.

"With the observance of health protocols, strict adult guidance, and short hours of outdoor activities, I don’t think children’s health will be compromised," she added.—AOL, GMA News
 

View on GMA News