The city of Buenos Aires recently relaxed a plan to keep the elderly inside their homes amid the COVID-19 pandemic, following intense criticism that the first restrictions were discriminatory and offensive.

Incidentally, Argentina has been on mandatory lockdown since late last month, with the majority of the activities outside of going to the bank, pharmacy, or grocery store-off-limits.

Officials of Buenos Aires initially wanted to require 70-year-old individuals and older to seek permission when leaving their homes. However, following criticism from the community, sources of the government said attaining a permit is not compulsory anymore.

At present, the government is advising the elderly residents to dial a toll-free number to say if there is a need for them to go out. The main goal of this new guideline is to convince the older adults to stay indoors by offering them to have the task to be accomplished by a volunteer.

The "Notice"

The resolution of the city-states that Buenos Aires will record "notice" should an individual decide to go out. This "notice" then lasts for up to 48 hours. However, according to some sources, no penalties would be enacted for anyone who leaves home without providing a "notice."

In connection to this, city officials explain that the plan is designed for the protection of the group most at risk of dying from COVID-19. Buenos Aires city mayor Horacio Rodriguez Larreta said he does not choose who the virus attacks adding, "All the decisions made have criteria, and that's to look after the lives of this city's residents."

Moreover, while this mandatory lockdown continues, the national government has progressively been lifting restrictions for specific tasks resulting in a noticeable increase in movements on Buenos Aires streets.

The city's health minister, Fernan Quiros, said, if one is considering going out, he asks to be allowed to speak with that individual. Specifically, Quiros pleaded with the seniors if they are not amenable to what's being offered to them. If they don't think it is invalid, they have the liberty to carry out whatever activity they want.

Meanwhile, Mayor Larreta said, figures direct this particular measure. Specifically, the city head said, 80 percent of the deaths from COVID-19 globally have been people more than 70 years old. 

The Counterattack

The original proposal, which President Alberto Fernandez backed, resulted in ferocious controversy specifically in Argentina's capital city with a three-million population, including roughly 400,000 people who are more than 70 years of age.

Initially, the officials considered fining the violators or requiring them to do community service. However, there was a reversal of the course in the middle of the public outcry. Essentially, critics called the original proposal discriminatory, a method of imprisonment and unconstitutional.

One of the many older people who oppose the original proposal is Maria Rosa Fernandez. She finds the permit proposal absurd. While she agrees that the administration should indeed look after the elderly, there are limits.

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