The impact of Covid-19 management on children and young people in Greenland
Greenland experienced a unique situation during the course of the pandemic of the coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2: there were very few cases and deaths, primarily due to the rapid closure of the borders. This resulted in the lowest frequency of infections with the virus among the Arctic regions. Measures such as remote learning and working from home were quickly implemented but lasted only a few weeks. The Spokesperson for Children, Head of MIO, Greenland’s Child Rights Institution, observed fewer negative consequences for children and young people compared to other countries.
Overview of pandemic handling in Greenland
The first case of the novel coronavirus was reported on 16 March 2020, and following the second case on 18 March 2020, the capital Nuuk was completely isolated from other towns. Remote teaching and working from home became the norm for many, albeit only for a few weeks. Travel restrictions were implemented, permitting only essential travel in and out of the country with explicit permission, and resulting in a significant decrease in the number of travellers, from 1,000 per week to just 64 per week. These measures included mandatory PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests prior to departure for Greenland, followed by quarantine and further testing upon arrival.
Several restrictions were implemented, including the requirement for corona passports and face masks, an alcohol ban in three municipalities, travel restrictions between municipalities and cities/villages, bans on gatherings, and special restrictions for children and young people.
Challenges for children and youth well-being
The pandemic posed challenges for children and young people in Greenland. Of Greenlandic families with children under 18, 17% live in overcrowded homes, which shook the right to the highest attainable standard of health and put additional pressure on already vulnerable families (Institut for Menneskerettigheder, 2020).
The mental health of children and young people deteriorated (Erlangsen et al., 2024), prompting the Government of Greenland to set up a corona hotline under the existing Tusaannga helpline. Some families affected by the virus encountered financial difficulties due to the necessity of caring for infected children or those classified as close contacts, resulting in a loss of income and, in some cases, inability to meet basic needs such as food. The country’s shelters experienced an increase in inquiries, and parents expressed frustration regarding the special restrictions imposed on children and young people, who were not permitted in shops and restaurants for a period but were allowed in schools with high infection rates. On the positive side, the government focused on not excluding children from important communities, and as a result, children returned to school fairly quickly and were also allowed to return to extracurricular activities relatively quickly, albeit with certain restrictions.
Consequences for children's right to be heard
The pandemic led to several challenges for children’s right to be heard as outlined in Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Overcrowded homes, where 17% of families live with children under 18, challenged their right to the highest attainable standard of health. The mental health of children and young people deteriorated, and the government established a corona hotline for children under the existing Tusaannga helpline. Economic difficulties also arose, as families lost income due to infection or quarantine, leading to increased demand for crisis centre services.
Children were not involved in the restrictions placed on them, nor has there been any subsequent follow-up on what consequences the children themselves experienced during Covid-19. Therefore, from a Greenlandic perspective, it is not possible to provide a comprehensive analysis of the consequences for children, as they have not been asked.
There is a general lack of awareness and understanding among adults about the importance of listening to children and involving them in decision-making processes. Children and young people have limited opportunities to participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives, both locally and nationally. The principle of the best interests of the child is not consistently implemented in all decision-making processes affecting children. Professionals working with children often lack adequate training on how to assess and implement this principle.
Recommendations for national improvements
Inclusion in legislation: Integrate children’s right to be heard into national legislation and policies, ensuring that this right is practised in all relevant sectors. This could involve revising existing laws and regulations to include provisions that ensure children’s participation and influence in matters affecting them.
Training and awareness-raising: Increase awareness among adults, including teachers and decision-makers, about children’s right to be heard. There is a need for training and resources to ensure that adults understand and respect this right. This could include developing training programmes and workshops for professionals working with children, as well as information campaigns aimed at parents and the general community.
Specific measures for vulnerable groups: Implement specific measures to ensure that vulnerable groups of children, including children with disabilities, also have their right to be heard fulfilled. This could involve developing tailored communication tools and methods to ensure that all children, regardless of their background or abilities, can express their views and participate in decision-making processes.