Specialists in medicine, law, and children's rights have warned parents not to take children during the shopping and purchase of food items from outlets during the current emergency period, and the spread of Coruna virus (Covid 19), stressing that some families' neglect of the preventive measures announced by the concerned authorities in the state would Putting children's lives at risk, demanding that the obligation of children not to enter the shopping center be enforced, and that the child is legally accountable if he violates the instructions.
On a tour of the food outlets, «Emirates Today» monitored accompanying families of children and infants during the shopping process, which was also monitored by the Emirates Child Protection Society.
The Emirates Child Protection Association warned of the danger of families taking their children to the shopping centers during this emergency period, pointing to a well-known retail company announcing the ban on entering children.
The association stressed that this behavior poses a great risk to the safety of children in light of the spread of the new Corona virus, and is also an explicit violation of the law, praising the commitment of many families and their failure to mix their children under the exceptional circumstances with others or go to public and crowded places, in compliance with the instructions and controls issued about this.
The founding member and Chairman of the Association’s Board of Directors, Faisal Al-Shammari, said that the association received comments about the families of their children accompanying them in foodstuff centers and outlets, which may expose them to the risk of developing the Corona virus (Covid 19), considering that «the insistence of some families to do so represents Negligence puts the life of the child in danger, and the guardian is asking about it.
Al-Shammari pointed out that «the child does not realize how to prevent and protect himself from the virus infection and may touch surfaces and floors during the shopping process with his parents or the infection is transmitted to him from others, which puts him at risk», noting the initiatives of some shopping centers to prevent children from entering with their families during shopping, He pointed out the registration of cases in which the father of three children insisted that they enter with him while shopping despite the refusal of the security men at the center.
Al-Shammari denounced this behavior, which he described as “unwise”, calling for the most severe penalties for those who commit such “foolishness” and rejected violations, saying: “The law prohibits taking children to cafes, or smoking while they are present, so we cannot take them to crowded places that may cause them Infection and transmission of disease with the knowledge that their immunity is weak by virtue of the young age ».
He suggested that the relevant authorities monitor the commitment of the carer to the children in the instructions prescribed to protect them and protect them from the Corona virus, and obligate the caretaker not to remove all those under the age of 18 from the home except for necessity and with prior permission similar to transportation during the period of national sterilization, and whoever violates this takes measures against him It is necessary and is in violation of the "Wadima" law, endangering the child's life.
Al-Shammari pointed out that the Child Rights Law is “permanent” stipulated in Article (34) that it prohibits endangering the child's mental, psychological, physical, or moral integrity, by abandoning the person responsible for his care or leaving him in a place or institution of care without an obligation, explaining that Article (60) Whoever violates a provision of clause (2) of Article (11) shall be punished by imprisonment or a fine of no less than 5000 dirhams.
In addition, Professor Hossam Al-Tatry, a professor at the Canadian University of Western Ontario, a consultant pediatrician, infectious and immunological diseases at the Heart Medical Center in Al Ain, said that the scientific community is still learning a lot since the emergence of the new Corona disease, and among what we have learned is that children are less likely to be infected with a virus Coved 19, based on the statistics available to date, but recent developments indicate more cases of childhood injury worldwide than was the case at the beginning of the epidemic, as it recorded more than 10 difficult cases in Italy last week, in addition to recording my case One of them dies J China, and the second in the United States, though still the proportion of complex cases and injuries among children are lower than among the elderly.
He added that «these numbers and statistics made many parents underestimate the danger of children leaving this period of homes, despite the official warnings of the importance of keeping children in homes to prevent and besiege the spread of the virus, and prevent transmission of infection to them», warning against taking children during shopping, which is a great danger On them and on society in general.
“It is difficult to persuade children not to touch things, which makes them a quick carrier of the virus by not keeping them at a safe distance with others, or sneezing or coughing on goods, and touching goods on shelves during the shopping process,” Al-Tatari said, urging parents to keep their children at home. During the shopping process, only one person goes out to shop and is followed by safe methods and precautionary measures outlined by the Ministry of Health and Community Protection, and the competent authorities.
For his part, Legal Adviser Salem Saeed Al-Hayqi warned that the Corona pandemic does not distinguish between young and old all over the world, pointing out that children are the cornerstone of society and the future of homelands, so they enjoyed complete rights and great care in the laws of civilized countries, particularly the UAE, which It was proactive in legislating special laws that take into account and care for children, such as Federal Law No. 3 of 2016 on the rights of the child “Wadimah”, and through the law, the Emirati legislator affirmed the rights of the child, foremost of which is the right to life, survival, development and enjoyment of a free and secure life. Al-Hayqi said, “Some parents do not take directions and advice seriously, and accompany their children in conditions other than those necessary for that, and they are aware that this behavior is not without punishment, especially in light of the warnings and instructions declared by the competent authorities in the state about how Corona virus transmission and infection.
He continued: «We know that the behavior of children is not expected and we cannot fully control them for their young age, and their lack of awareness of instructions to prevent and preserve themselves from this pandemic, which may lead to causing harm to them and may transmit disease to them.
He added, “According to the decision issued by the Attorney General of the State regarding the application of the updated regulations for controlling violations and administrative sanctions issued by Cabinet Resolution No. 17 of 2020 to limit the spread of the Corona virus, and as a result of violations that occur during the ban period, the protection of children must be placed at the forefront of priorities, because they Imad Al-Mustaqil, it is forbidden to take children outside the home without necessity, in order to ensure their safety and protect them from what may happen, and that this prohibition be followed by a deterrent punishment, given that the exceptions mentioned in the ban period include necessities ».
Symptoms are not clear
An infectious disease consultant, Dr. Jihad Saleh, stated that children may be infected with the "emerging corona" virus, and their symptoms are not clear, but they may be a source of infection for others.
He stressed the necessity of staying in homes for adults and children and avoiding any gatherings, and washing hands constantly as this is the most important procedure currently, and in the case of going out of necessity, hands should be washed when touching any external surface, and be careful not to touch the eyes or nose and mouth before washing hands well with soap and water .
Putting the child at risk
The legal advisor, Salem Saeed Al Haiqi, confirmed that the decision issued by the Attorney General on the schedule of violations, including the imposition of a fine of 1,000 dirhams for the violation of not wearing medical masks in closed places for people with chronic diseases and people suffering from symptoms of colds and influenza without others, and not taking into account the distance between Persons; applies to children as well. He pointed out that "the fine of 1000 dirhams for the driver of the vehicle if the number of passengers allowed in one vehicle exceeds more than three people, it is also equal in the case that the vehicle has parents and two children, in addition to that the application of the violations will not conflict with the application of any other law in the state in the event The child is at risk, so it is rational not to risk exposing children to harm in a useless way, and not to violate the religious, legal and legal obligations towards ourselves, our children, our society, and our country, and implement decisions and orders to preserve public health and national security ».
Carrying children while shopping raises medical and legal concerns.