Modified Yellow alert level – and then to Green

Updated 24/1/22

The Government announced on the 19th January that:

From 20 January : Staff and pupils in secondary schools and colleges will not be required to wear a face covering in classrooms.
From 27 January : You will not be required to wear a face covering, including in communal areas of schools, but the government suggests you continue to wear one in crowded and indoor spaces where you may come into contact with people you do not normally meet.

Following the announcement in the House of Commons, the National Youth Agency has updated its website to state that “from 20th January 2022, face coverings are no longer compulsory in the youth sector for any ages, in any setting. Masks can, of course, still be worn by choice and all practice should remain Covid secure” and Scout HQ has confirmed that, for Scouting in England, mask wearing can cease from 20 January.

Scout HQ writes that “We’re pleased to let you know that the UK government has confirmed youth sector provision in England will move back to ‘Green’ from Thursday 27 January”.

Please remember to check the readiness table and guidance for other locations if travelling outside of England with Scouts.

This change means that all Scouting activities can resume so long as they are safe to do so and following the remaining guidance, please remember that all activities should still be managed in a COVID responsible manner.

However, Scout Groups and Explorer Units should update their Covid risk assessments and maintain mask wearing, if their updated risk assessment requires it (generally, or for specific activities) and must maintain all other Covid secure procedures in accordance with their risk assessments.