Civil affairs departments ordered to ensure care, safety of minors let on their own by COVID-19

The Ministry of Civil Affairs has asked local civil affairs departments to take on temporary guardianship roles for children whose parents are receiving treatment or are being quarantined for COVID-19, an official said at a news conference on Tuesday.

The ministry recently issued a notice to assist children whose parents are in this situation for the upcoming Spring Festival. It states that if parents or caregivers cannot take care of their children because of epidemic prevention protocols, such as receiving treatment, quarantine, or working for epidemic control, the civil affairs department should provide temporary guardianship in accordance with the law, said Li Wanli, deputy director of the ministry's Children's Welfare Department.

The ministry has asked local authorities to gather information about such children, including orphans and those left behind by migrant worker parents.

The aim is to gain an understanding of their situation during the holiday — who their guardians are and their whereabouts — and send out contact cards with information in where to seek help and to establish a system of communication.

The notice requires that civil affairs departments strengthen cooperation with families, schools and social organizations and encourages social efforts, including from social workers and volunteers, to help such children.

The deputy director also asked community service providers to examine living conditions for the children, especially the safety of electricity and gas supplies. Any dangers discovered must be reported to relevant authorities.

Civil affairs departments in some regions have already taken action. In Shaoyang in central China's Hunan province, more than 13,000 children have received assistance.