Story By: Jonathan Macias, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash

The Italian Interior Ministry has loosened the country’s coronavirus lockdown restrictions to allow children up to the age of 18 to leave their homes to go for a walk.

According to local media, the interior ministry has communicated that children up to the age of 18 can spend time in the streets around their homes accompanied by their parents.

Reports said that the decision is a response to experts, psychologist, parents, artists and educators who have reached out to the ministry through letters asking fort children to be allowed to enjoy one hour outdoors.

The letters reportedly warned of the consequences that the lockdown could have for children and teenager’s physical and psychological growth in the long term.

Local media reported that the Minister for Opportunities and Equality and Family, Elena Bonetti, and the Health Sub-Secretary specialised in children and teenagers, Sandra Zampa, as well as the President of the Italian Paediatric Society Alverto Villani addressed the Health Minister Roberto Speranza to highlight the health problem that having children in lockdown represents.

The experts reportedly said in a public letter: “We propose rules that accompany them (the children and teenagers) gradually at this moment, protecting their fundamental rights alongside their health and the community’s health”

According to the latest data from the Johns Hopkins University, Italy has suffered 105,792 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 12,428 deaths and 15,729 people recovered. The country has been on lockdown since 10th March.

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