Under the conditions of the new type Coronavirus pandemic, the worsening of the epidemiological status and the announcement of the state of emergency in the country, I call for the parents, the legal representatives of the children to ensure with the maximum responsibility their adequate protection, according to the requirements submitted by the responsible public authorities.
Today’s situation does not fundamentally change the requirements / rules we have to abide by, it just makes us more accountable to ourselves and to those we care about.
The realization of any right is ensured by the state, stemming from the international obligations assumed, as well as by fulfilling the rights holders of certain duties, such as not violating the rights of other persons. International standards provide for the obligation of the state to ensure the rights guaranteed in the ratified international acts, but also its right to apply restrictions / limitations in the exercise of certain rights, including for the purpose of ensuring the safety of citizens’ lives and public health.
In these circumstances it is necessary to strictly comply with the rules imposed by the state authorities. At the same time, they are obliged to ensure without discrimination and segregation access to quality medical services, the right to information, quality drinking water, preservation of jobs and incomes and other vital necessities for ensuring the living and survival conditions.
I want to mention in the context the new changes in the legal framework that establish the contraventional liability of people who do not respect the quarantine rules and – the criminal liability for the spread of the virus. Also, I bring back to the attention of those who have children in their care the provisions of the Contraventional Code on the liability for non-fulfillment of the obligations of maintenance, education and training of the child.
For our and our children’s safety, it is imperative that we stay home, be aware of the danger that persists, but without panicking. We need to adhere to established rules, to be united, to give help when someone needs it, to inform ourselves properly from official sources and to disseminate only the official information on prevention rules, not to self-medicate us – for this we have doctors. If necessary, call your family doctor by phone or call 112.
Dear parents, stay home with your children. Stopping the education process does not mean a vacation that involves fun and relaxation. This measure was adopted to protect children from the risk of COVID-19 contamination and to stop the spread of infection. Walking in parks and playing in the block yard on the landscaped grounds for this purpose is contraindicated, considering that the virus is highly contagious.
Use this time to get to know your children better, show them love and affection, play with them, develop creative activities together, tell them stories, give them the necessary support when preparing homework, when some schools have gone on to conduct online class hours. Use different educational and fun platforms to effectively utilize your free time during the quarantine or self-isolation period. Explain to the children why they should stay home, not communicate with their friends, if they are healthy, and inform them in a comprehensible manner about the necessary measures to be taken, how to wash their hands, how to behave in a quarantine situation.
Dear children, listen to your parents and legal representatives, they love you and they take care to keep you healthy.
In my capacity as a People’s Advocate for Children’s Rights, I am available to intervene in case you will face a problem related to the epidemiological situation, but also to the protection of the rights of the child. For this, call the Hotline for Children managed by my colleagues from the Department of Children’s Rights – 080011116.
For information: Key Messages and Actions for COVID-19 Prevention and Control in Schools_March 2020 (UNICEF Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention and Control (in English) / GUIDANCE FOR COVID-19 PREVENTION AND CONTROL IN SCHOOLS).
Maia Banarescu
People’s Advocate for Children’s Rights
2020.03.17
