We can confirm the following changes to the rules for Yellow readiness in Scotland:
- Indoor activities are now allowed, but outdoor activities are still preferred and should be encouraged.
- Numbers can change to a total party size of 30 and this includes young people and adults – both indoors and outdoors. Any Young Leaders are also included in this total, but remember that they do not count towards the adult side of ratios – they should count towards the young people side. (The increase to 30 outdoors is also permitted in Amber)
- Indoor activities will carry more potential risk so numbers must be adjusted accordingly to allow social distancing to be maintained, among those aged 12+.
- Young people under 12 (Beavers, Cubs and younger Scouts) do not need to socially distance from each other but older Scouts, Explorers and Adults should maintain social distancing, currently at 2m.
- All adults must socially distance from all young people (even those under 12), where it is not possible for a short period then a face covering must be worn.
- No gatherings of more than 30 are permitted for any reason and multiple groups must continue to be at least 25m away from each other.
- Adults don’t need to wear a face covering when delivering activities unless social distancing can’t be maintained.
- Young People over 12 need only wear a face covering if social distancing can’t be maintained e.g. when moving from one activity to another. Social distancing should still be the norm.
- Consideration should be given to age group bubbles to reduce group sizes, for example the Scout Section might choose to meet with 10-11-year olds as one bubble and 12-14- year olds for another but that will depend on factors such as Troop size, hall size etc.
- Whilst it is now possible for leaders to move between Sections on the same day, this should be limited to avoid contact with too many households and increase the risk.
- Groups will need to get consent from parents and carers before young people move to indoor activities.
- Those Sections meeting outside in groups of up to 30 in public places may experience enquiry or even verbal abuse from the general public who will not be aware of our exemptions from the normal rules. Please be patient, be polite, and explain that we come under Education rules and ensure that the 2m distancing by over 12’s is being observed. Wearing neckers or uniform will help. Youthwork is an essential service and after 6 months of lockdown, it is vital that some normality returns to our young people’s lives.
- Adult Leader training and other adult gatherings that are not direct youth work (working with Sections) should not involve groups of more than 6 people indoors or outdoors and household restrictions do apply.
- Residential experiences (both in the UK and Internationally) won’t be permitted before 1 January 2021 at the earliest, but Scouts Scotland will review this position again in December
Risk Assessments
- Not all ‘Amber’ risk assessments will need to be re-submitted because of these changes. Groups and Sections that have already had their risk assessments approved may wish to amend their current risk assessments to allow for the changes as follows:
- A Group/Section who’ve already had an ‘Amber’ approved risk assessment for meeting outdoors, but want to increase their numbers outdoors, should simply note this as a change on their local copy. This doesn’t need to be re-approved as there are no new COVID-19 risks identified.
- A Group/Section who’ve already had an ‘Amber’ approved risk assessment for meeting outdoors, and who want to move to ‘Yellow’ and meet indoors, would need to consider what new COVID-19 risks exist and submit the amended risk assessment for re-approval ensuring that it clearly states that this is ‘Amber to Yellow’. Until that’s approved, they may continue to meet outdoors under their previously approved risk assessment but now with group sizes up to 30.
- A Group/Section who haven’t submitted a risk assessment before now have the opportunity to include outdoor and indoor options on a single risk assessment in ‘Yellow’. They should not be asked to complete Amber and Yellow risk assessments but make it clear that it is a ‘Yellow Risk Assessment’
The South East Scotland Scouts Regional Model Risk Assessment can be found here to help you with your own specific circumstances.