The Government has urged people to protect the identity of children found abandoned and in distress during the COVID 19 pandemic. People must not share pictures and contact details of vulnerable children in distress situations on social media. Child welfare committee or Childline 1098 should be informed if anyone comes to know of any child who has lost both parents to COVID and has no one to take care of them. 

Legal adoption of such children must be ensured, otherwise children can be trafficked in the name of adoption. Such children should be taken to the Child welfare committee, which will take necessary action in the best interest of the child. If anyone contacts someone regarding orphan children available for direct adoption, they must be stopped as this is illegal.

Talking to source, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo said, it is illegal to give or take orphan children of any one else in adoption.