Following the recent government annoucement, and following consultation between The Scouts and the National Youth Agency. Please find below the updated YELLOW readiness level guidance.

Current Readiness Level: YELLOW

This means: Section meetings can take place outdoors and indoors. Limited small group residential activities may take place.

Maximum group size:

  • Activities involving young people: no limit on group size but remain as only one section meeting independently of others. Indoor activities will be limited by the size of the location given social distancing remains.
  • Scout Network programmed activities (non social): 30 people maximum.
  • Adult activities (non-social) with no young people present: Adults may meet in small groups for the purposes of providing the charity’s purpose. Full details in getting adults involved again guidance.
  • Residential activities: Nights away activities may take place with a maximum of 30 young people plus volunteers (adults and young leaders) and carers, limited to a maximum of 6 people per sleeping space (tent or room) and groups of 6 maximum for groups of over 18s. COVID measures such as social distancing and good hygiene remain in place (even overnight), groups must remain independent of others and lateral flow testing must take place immediately prior to departure and every 48-72hrs throughout the trip and on return for those age 12 and over.

Note: Where small sections may struggle to be viable to operate independently they may join with another section at this time.

Note: The number of adults present should be limited to those who are required to be present to support the activity. It’s important to remember that we’re still in the middle of the pandemic and we all have the duty to make sure we’re following the letter and spirit of the guidance. 

Note: Activities (including those away from your usual meeting place) should be planned to minimise risk by limiting travel at all times. Check the guidance on planning activities in terrain zero. Trips should only take place where the outcomes can not be achieved locally and must be in a COVID safe manner.

Important Information

Don’t forget that ahead of restarting face-to-face activities you should review your COVID safe risk assessment and make sure it’s current. If nothing significant has changed or only changes to your numbers then this does not need to be re-approved ahead of you restarting.

Until notified all jurisdictions are subject to restrictions on visits abroad and large scale events and anyone wishing to travel between jurisdictions (where allowed) must apply the stricter rules for the home and host location when planning and delivering the activities.

Remember that members may only move between jurisdictions if permitted within the relevant government guidance for travel and if doing so must apply both the home/host restrictions, working to the strictest criteria. A group may not cross a border in order to have more young people present on an event and must also remember that it may be that the jurisdiction you are entering has stricter criteria than where you are coming from.