It’s Green – but life isn’t like we used to know it

Date: 6th Sep 2021 Author: Peter Tomlin

As from today, 6 September, Scouting in England moved into the Green level of readiness. Due to this, how we operate Scouting generally will change as well as conducting residential and international trips. We will update our “Getting Back Together” page in the Members area within the next couple of days.

Scout meetings, activities and day trips

Whilst restrictions are generally lifted, this isn’t yet a return to pre-pandemic Scouting for our regular Group or Unit meetings. The National Youth Agency guidance states that “.ll youth provision may meet indoors or outdoors without limitations on group size. 

However, the NYA requires providers to review their Action Plans and Risk Assessments and take steps to reduce the risk of community transmission. For example, consider how to manage groups of young people to a manageable number to minimise the risk of transmission.” 

The Scout UK website states that “..all activities must be able to safely manage the risk of transmission of COVID and, if this is not possible, they must not take place.”

Groups and Units therefore need to continue to consider Covid transmission risks within their risk assessments, update those assessments as necessary, and act on their mitigation plans to reduce that risk.

Residential activities

Residential activities are no longer limited to six people sharing accommodation. This means more flexibility for Leaders when planning nights away activities and managing the spread of COVID-19. Members who’ve tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 90 days (but are outside of the isolation period) are no longer required to undertake lateral flow testing in order to take part in residential activities.

International travel

Also, international travel is now permitted for members. Planning will take time and trips must still be approved at each stage. Groups and Units will need to follow the visits abroad process, and all trips must follow the FCDO travel advice (or relevant state guidance) at the time of the trip taking place.

If Groups or Units had planned trips which were postponed due to COVID-19, insurers may set conditions for the trip resuming.

Any trip that are planned must be planned with COVID-19 in mind and meet any requirements in all the countries your Group or Unit travel through/to, as well as conditions set by the home government. These restrictions must be considered when deciding on the trips’ viability and planning for what to do should any members of the group test positive for COVID-19. This should be included in the incident planning.  If Leaders require support, they should firstly contact their line manager or Assistant County Commissioner (International).

Nature and the outdoors are languages that can be learned. Once you identify a beech tree, tie a clove hitch or cook a simple meal over a fire that you’ve built yourself, you’ll never forget it.'
Bear Grylls, Chief Scout Bear Grylls