Greater Yosemite CouncilCOVID-19 Guidance (March 2020)

 Restart Scouting Checklist - new 6/17/2020

Slow the Spread Document (3/17/2020)


Guidance and Recommendations Regarding COVID-19

or Novel Coronavirus for Scouting Events and Activities

With the introduction of COVID-19 or Novel Coronavirus in California, many unit leaders and families may have questions regarding unit meetings, outings, and activities. We understand that the fluidity of this situation is causing uncertainty amongst units and volunteers in relation to its impact on Scouting programs. Council leadership are monitoring the situation in real time and are monitoring changes to guidance and recommendations of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and county health department and will continue to communicate updated recommendations as new information becomes available. 

Council Leadership will follow the guidance of our local health departments in our 6 counties and recommend that scouting units do the same. The risk of COVID-19 in our council and the United States remains low.  There is no recommendation for the general public to wear facemasks to protect themselves from exposure to the novel coronavirus.  Facemasks may be appropriate for persons experience respiratory symptoms to limit the spread to others, or for healthcare providers in contact with ill patients.  Novel coronavirus is not in our community now but may be in the future.  However, influenza (flu) IS circulating in our community and is currently a greater cause of illness and mortality.

Please note, according to the CDPH the health risk from COVID-19 to the general public currently remains low. However, this is a quickly evolving situation. Local health departments have placed additional restrictions depending on event or gathering size and risk level. Some current size recommendations of note from local county health departments 

Links to our health departments

https://publichealth.calaverasgov.us/Novel-Coronavirus

http://www.mariposacounty.org/89/Public-Health

https://www.co.merced.ca.us/3350/Coronavirus

http://www.sjcphs.org/coronavirus.aspx

http://schsa.org/PublicHealth/pages/corona-virus/

https://www.tuolumnecounty.ca.gov/250/Public-Health

We do recommend that unit leaders, volunteers, and families take precautions and modify events to help prevent transmission according to the recommendations of their county health department. Unit leadership, council and district event chairs, may consider postponing or canceling meetings and activities if they feel it is in their best interest to do so or align with recommendations from their local health department. 

Per the recommendations of the CDPH, the best prevention against COVID-19 remains taking regular health precautions such as covering your mouth with a tissue or your elbow if you sneeze or cough, washing your hands with soap and water, and staying home if you are sick. One method to slow the spread of respiratory virus infections, including COVID-19, is by increasing social distancing (reduce close contact). 

A Scout is Clean

We encourage everyone attending our properties and programs to follow the California Department of Public Health recommendations to prevent the spread of all respiratory viruses: 

  • Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If using hand sanitizer, use an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. 
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands 
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick 
  • Cover cough and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. 
  • Stay away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like a fever and cough. 

Individuals are encouraged to bring personal hand sanitizer. We will also provide hand sanitizer at restrooms and dining areas at camps where soap and water are not available.

Please note, at this time, council and district committee meetings and roundtables are still scheduled, but accommodations should be made to allow a minimum of an arm’s length between participants and we encourage those who are feeling ill or at high risk to consider participating remotely. 

Refund Policy

For all Scouting program and training events postponed or cancelled by the council, a full refund will be provided. For those who choose not to participate in an event, the standard refund policy applies.