Spain lifts restriction order for under 14

Spanish government has announced plan to ease the restriction placed on children who are under 14 years of age.

This new restriction condition will allow about 6.3 million children who are under 14 leave their homes each day between 9am and 9pm, but without exceeding a one kilometer distance.

The lockdown also allows the use of skates, skateboard and bicycles though they are not allowed to go to public parks.

While appreciating the plan, Laura Piñeiro, a psychologist and director at Madrid of the Charity Asociación Bienestar Desarollo, said the new ease of restrictions for smaller children can provide an important boost to their state of mind.

“The change of routine, being outside and being in the sunlight – all of that is extremely important,” she said.

“There are people living in 40sq m (430sq ft), who don’t have sufficient ventilation or light. If you’re living in a limited space, when you go out in the sunshine that generates a feeling of well-being,” she added.

However, not everyone agrees hat the last six weeks under strict restrictions, have been very tough for Spain’s kids.

“Children adapt to new circumstances much better than adults,” says Susana Fuertes, the mother of a 16-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl in Brunete, near Madrid.

“I really don’t think this has been a traumatic experience for children. Those I know have been in a safe environment with their parents,” she stated.

She stated that her son, Mateo, was not particularly annoyed that his sister, Isabel, now has more freedom of movement than he does. But Susana is puzzled by the new norm.

“It’s a bit strange to put a barrier up between children who are 13 years old and other children,” she added.