Bengaluru: Avoid parks, BBMP tells U-12 kids, seniors

BENGALURU: With various editions of unlock lifting restrictions, children are stepping out of their homes to take a break from online classes and stretch a muscle or two in parks, gyms, and sports arenas.
But BBMP commissioner N Manjunath Prasad on Sunday said children below the age of 12 and senior citizens above 65 years are not allowed in parks as they are vulnerable to the virus. He, however, added that there is no specific rule to such an effect, but there is only an advisory prescribing the same.
"Many parents get their children along to the park, and we cannot stop them," Prasad said. "People have been requesting us to allow children to play in parks, clubs and swimming pools and our only condition is that social distancing must be maintained and masks worn," he added.
No specific rule to stop kids from playing: BBMP chief
Stopping children from playing is not right; they, too, need to exercise. It’s the responsibility of parents to ensure health protocols are followed,” said the BBMP commissioner . “There is no special rule or guideline for them yet. We might issue one if Covid cases among children increase,”he said.
A few parents TOI spoke with said they would like their children to step out of home and play games outdoors. “Children need to play; else, they get lazy. My son was glued to the phone for four months. With parks open, I take him out cycling and running,” said Prathyusha Jain, a homemaker and mother of a seven-year-old.
Sharayu Kumari, mother of a 13-year-old, said children need sports and other activities to stay healthy. “Children do not have physical activities due to Covid restrictions. Now that online classes have begun, children are stuck to their screens, which is strenuous to their eyes and makes them lethargic. Children should be allowed into sports arenas to stretch themselves a bit,” Kumari said.