The Ombudsman for Children has said that any further Covid-19 restrictions on children must be appropriate and proportionate, describing the ongoing crisis as “extremely stressful” for them.
As Covid cases rise, parents are being advised to limit social interactions for children and to have some primary school children wear masks while in school – and on public transport and in shops
Dr Niall Muldoon told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that it was essential that the impact of any further restrictions be assessed quickly.
WATCH: @MorningIreland interview with Dr Niall Muldoon, Ombudsman for Children | Read more: https://t.co/vhsGOcVFd0 https://t.co/3enybikSmB
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) November 30, 2021
While 18% of new Covid cases are in children aged between 5 and 12, it appears from HSPC reports that very few of those children have been seriously ill or in hospital. The HSPC says that “the risk of onward transmission from undetected asymptomatic cases within the school setting remains low.”
Dr Muldoon emphasised the importance of ensuring that children are not targeted if their parents do want them to wear a mask at school.