Strict regulations by Govt. to public visiting orphanages

• Measures to protect children’s welfare, health and privacy introduced
• Estimated 11,400 children at orphanages or children’s welfare centres  

The Government has introduced new regulations which will govern donations of food and other items to Orphanages and Children›s Welfare Centres countrywide during the COVID-19 crisis and safeguard children.  

According to a press release by the Government Information Department, the new regulations have been issued by the Commissioner of the Department of Probation and Child Care Services (PDCCS) in light of health and legal concerns regarding persons or groups who have come forward to assist orphanages with food and other items during the COVID-19 outbreak.

According to the PDCCS, there are currently there are 11,400 children in orphanages and welfare centres which were currently being monitored by the department.

“At present there are many individuals and groups who have come forward to assist orphanages and welfare centres with food and essential items; this should be commended,” the press release stated.

However, while the Commissioner commends the spirit of giving and assisting the needy, concerns have been expressed regarding the risk of allowing the children in the centres to be exposed to the public due to the COVID-19 outbreak. A special concern is that many centres have hundreds of children in residence and a contagious virus such as COVID-19 could place many of them at risk.

Further, many children who have been ordered to be placed in the care of such institutions by the courts have special security provisions arranged for their safety and security. As such, photographing the children at the centres and allowing non-vetted public close to them is a security concern for the department, the press release added.

The department is concerned that photographing children receiving food items also impacts their self-esteem and has asked donors and the media not to do so.

The Government has made arrangements for the orphanages and centres to request essential items they need from the regional Sathosa outlets. 

Accordingly, all orphanages and child welfare centres were directed not to allow members of the public to hand over items to the children in person or be in their close vicinity, photograph them or seek their views or ideas on the donations.

All donors are to inform the district probation and child care services commissioner prior to delivering any items or food to any orphanage or welfare centre. All centres have also been instructed to coordinate all activities with the district commissioners.