In recent weeks, Suffolk has seen a sharp increase of Covid-19 cases, particularly in children and young adults. Suffolk County Council is now receiving additional support from central government to help tackle this public health matter. A specially formed task group has been formed in the last few days and has introduced additional measures for schools and education settings.
Suffolk Scouts has sought guidance from Region and Scout Headquarters who advise that Commissioners should make local arrangements consistent with their situation and local needs. Implementing any additional measures necessary to meet POR Rule 5.35, which gives that, the County Commissioner is responsible for the local management of the Safety Policy and obligates our co-operation with all bodies whose work is relevant to Scouting.
All County and District Sections, Groups and their Sections are to implement measures 1 to 4 of this instruction no later than Monday 8th November 2021.
We strongly advise that adult members of Suffolk Scouts closely follow the advice of the authorities and public health professionals including the NHS and consider if their plans to manage the risk of the spread of Covid-19 remain sufficient.
Suffolk Scouts will review its position and requirements continually and provide updates as necessary.
Any queries or questions relating to this should be passed through Commissioners to County for resolution.
Additional Covid-19 Measures Instruction
1. When planning activities Leaders must:
– Undertake a Risk Assessment i n doing so you may decide to introduce further measures or change the way you do things
– Communicate your Risk Assessment to those who need it; this includes leaders, young people and their parents
2. Before attending Scouts attendees must:
– Check for symptoms of COVID 19 . Any person displaying Covid 19 symptoms should self isolate immediately and get a free NHS test
– Do not attend if you are required to self isolate If any person has a positive test, or have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace they must not attend Scouts
– Think about other health factors. If any person feels unwell but do not have COVID 19 symptoms, or their COVID 19 test is negative, they may still have an illness which could be passed on to other people and should not attend Scouts
– Test before attendance. Where possible attendees should take a rapid lateral flow test to make sure they aren’t spreading the virus without knowing it.
3. Whilst attending Scouts people must:
– Follow guidance on how to stay safe and prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID19), This includes washing or sanitising their hands frequently (f or example, after touching surfaces like handrails).
– Encourage people to wear face coverings if they can, especially when they are in crowded (within 2m of another person for more than 15mins) and enclosed areas (indoors or outside) where they come into contact with people they do not usually meet with (people outside of their household, normal social circle)
– Use the NHS COVID 19 app to help NHS Test and Trace stop the spread of the virus.
– Be prepared to stop activities at anytime if they feel unsafe or there is a risk of harm to any person.
4. After activities Leaders must:
– Report any near misses or accidents includes incidents of Covid 19 in the normal way.
Ref: SFLK-CTY-GBN-RP-HS-122-A Published: 04.11.21
Remembrance Sunday Commemorations 2021
Covid-19 Guidance for Suffolk Scouts
This guidance is provided to give clarity and direction to those planning or attending public Remembrance Sunday Commemorations in 2021. It draws together the requirements of Policy, Organisation and Rules and published guidance from Government, the National Health Service and Scouts.
Suffolk Scouts requires its members to take any additional safety measures required of them and strongly advises that we closely follow the advice of the authorities, public health professionals including the NHS.
We caution that this may change at short notice, therefore members of Suffolk Scouts must check the published guidance themselves before attending any event and consider if the plans in place continue to meet it.
When planning to attend a public service of remembrance leaders in charge must:
– Undertake a Risk Assessment and if attending a public event, you must obtain the event organisers Risk Assessment. You must consider its content and measures in place to protect Members of Scouts. You may decide to introduce further measures to protect those people you are responsible for.
– Communicate your risk assessment to those attending any events ; this includes leaders, young people and their parents and you should pass it to those organising the event.
Before attending large events you must:
– Check for symptoms of COVID 19 (a high temperature, new and persistent cough, or a loss of/change in sense of taste or smell) before travelling to your Remembrance event. Any person displaying Covid 19 symptoms should self-isolate immediately and get a free NHS test , even if these symptoms are mild.
– Members must not attend if they are required to self-isolate, for example because they have had a positive test, or have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace.
– Think about other health factors and the impact of travelling to attend a large event. If you feel unwell but do not have COVID 19 symptoms, or your COVID 19 test is negative, you may still have an illness which could be passed on to other people (such as a cold or the flu).
Members should not attend if they feel unwell; this reduces the risk that you will pass on an illness to other people in the community.
– Follow the guidance on safer travel and any relevant guidance issued by travel operators.
– Test before attendance we strongly advise that, where possible, Members take a rapid lateral flow test to make sure you aren’t spreading the virus without knowing it.
You can find more advice in the guidance on how to stay safe and help prevent the spread
At the event you must:
– Follow guidance on how to stay safe and prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID 19); This includes ensuring people wash or sanitising their hands frequently (for example, after touching surfaces like handrails).
– Encourage people to wear face coverings if they can; especially when they are in crowded (within 1m of another person for more than 15mins) and enclosed areas (indoors or outside) where they come into contact with people they do not usually meet with (people outside of their household, normal social circle)
– Use the NHS COVID 19 app to help NHS Test and Trace stop the spread of the virus.
– Adhere to any relevant Covid 19 safety measures in place at the event, including observing directions given by stewards.
– Be prepared to stop activities at anytime if they feel unsafe or there is a risk of harm to any person.
After the event you must:
– Report any near misses or accidents includes incidents of Covid 19 in the normal way.
(Ref: SFLK-CTY-GBN-RP-HS-123-A Published: 04.11.21)
