Appendix 3 | Applying the CRIA tool to COVID-19 pandemic policy and legislation relating to the closure of schools and early childhood education and care in Australia Stage 3: Identify potential impacts Question 9: What are the positive impacts of the policy/legislation on the rights of children? Provide evidence-based detail of the impacts described in question 2. Consider how these impacts may directly or indirectly restrict the rights of children. If the right is absolute, provide detail about measures or safeguards in the policy/legislation that ensure the right is not limited. Article 24: Right to health • Protection from virus: Limiting the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The AIHW reported in 2021 that the key aim of the federal government's COVID-19 policy – to protect hospitals from being overwhelmed – was achieved.144 Only 12.5% of infected individuals needed hospital treatment.145 Some academic studies suggest school closures act as an efficient measure to curb the spread of novel viruses, such as influenza.146 • Improved accessibility to healthcare: Increased accessibility to healthcare through telehealth allowing children and families to receive health care without travelling and risking spread of infection. Some children and families may also be able to access specialist services otherwise inaccessible due to their location.147 Article 28: Right to education • Increased learning outcomes: Qualitative studies on children’s experiences during the pandemic show that remote learning proved to be a positive experience for some children, where they were properly resourced with equipment and support from schools and parents/ carers.148 While most children needed some time to adjust to new ways of working, some expressed an appreciation for the flexibility of remote learning and fewer distractions. Some children also reported feeling safer and more settled at home, particularly if they had experienced bullying at school. Article 6: Right to life, survival and development • Improved family relationships: Research suggests more fathers were spending time with their children on learning and schoolwork and that parents had more time to spend with children teaching life skills, such as cooking, reading, and caring for pets.149 Safeguarding Children: Using a child rights impact assessment to improve our laws and policies | 71