Coronavirus Shuts Down UK Scouting ( almost)

[Pint]

Message from UK Scout Association:

Dear all,   I'm writing to share critical pieces of information relating to the developing Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. This email follows my previous communications with volunteer managers over the past few weeks.   Late this afternoon, the Prime Minister has said that everyone in the UK should now avoid non-essential travel and contact with others.     Suspension of face-to-face activities   Given this guidance, all face-to-face Scout meetings, activities and events must be suspended from tomorrow, Tuesday, 17 March 2020. This suspension applies to young people and adults, and will be until further notice.     We must continue to respond to the developing situation in a calm, measured and appropriate way. We will continue to follow official guidance. The safety of everyone involved in Scouts, both young people and adults, is our number one priority. That is always at the heart of our decision making.     Government advice   The Government's Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage is frequently updated as things develop, so please check it regularly at www.gov.uk/coronavirus.       Events     Given the latest Government guidance, we are cancelling the following events: Day of Celebration at Windsor Beaver and Cub Fundays at Gilwell Park and Woodhouse Park Gilwell 24       We will be communicating to specific audiences about these event cancellations over the next week. We'd ask that you wait for this information to be sent out rather than contacting us immediately, due to the volume of enquiries we are currently receiving.       Event organisers     If you or your team are involved in organising any future Scout events, you will now need to review these plans and risk assessments given this new guidance.       Jamborees and other large events     If applicable, we suggest you regularly check the websites of relevant large-scale events, for example, Jamborees and camps, for specific updates from the organisers.       European Jamboree     The organisers of the European Jamboree 2020 in Poland have shared this update and continue to add to their frequently asked questions on the changing situation here. If applicable, please continue to monitor these updates.       Scout trips abroad     We asked the Government (the Department for Culture, Media and Sport) for clarity about youth groups travelling abroad, as the current advice only specifies school trips. We will let you know when we receive an update.     As well as the Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website has the latest information, guidance and travel advice, along with details of any restrictions – which must be followed.       Travel insurance     The Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation may have implications for your travel insurance. Check with your insurers directly about the levels of cover. If you have taken insurance through Unity, they have provided an update here.       Scout Information Centre     The Scout Information Centre will only be able to deal with emails and web chat until further notice. As you can imagine, we are experiencing an unprecedented level of enquiries at the moment, so please use the Government guidance as your primary reference where possible.       Keeping you updated     The Government have now committed to daily briefings. So we can keep you up to date, we have created a webpage: scouts.org.uk/coronavirus which we'll update from tomorrow.       Doing our bit     I think we all agree that it's in challenging times like these, that our Scout values matter most. We are talking to the Government and other community organisations to see how Scouts can support our country during this crisis. We must make sure that we do this in the safest possible way, and don't put anyone at further risk. We will update you more on this over the coming weeks.       Scouting at home     We are planning to share activities for young people to do at home with their parents if families are faced with self-isolation. We will be communicating more about this soon.       Thank you     As always, I want to say a big thank you for everything you do for Scouts. By checking and following the latest Government advice and by taking a calm and measured approach, we can continue to ensure that young people and adults stay safe.       Best wishes,

Tim Kidd UK Chief Commissioner Scouts

[Pint]

UK Situation update: All Schools +nursery's (kindergarten) to close effective from Monday 23rd March indefinitely across the whole UK

Edited March 18, 2020 by Pint

[HashTagScouts]

1 hour ago, Pint said:

UK Situation update: All Schools +nursery's (kindergarten) to close effective from Monday 23rd March indefinitely across the whole UK

I'm fully expecting that this is going to happen here in the US very soon.  Flattening the curve is the only way we can deal with this virus.  Unless a vaccine can be found and put into mass production, it is going continue to be a pandemic for several months.  Keep safe.

[ParkMan]

Be interesting to see if something like a national edict happens here.  The basis of our federal system states it should be up to the states. 

Every person I know in the US right now us home and their kids off school - so I'm not sure how much more there is for the Feds to do here.

Edited March 18, 2020 by ParkMan
clarified a thought

[HashTagScouts]

Have you seen the news reports of all the college students who have still showed up in Florida for Spring Break? At some point, major scaling back of services like the USPS, FedEx etc. may have to happen to alleviate the spread from one area to another.  While in many areas restaurants are "take out only", that doesn't end the prospect of transmission, it just lessens it.  Like I say, until a vaccine is developed, this will run a long course until humankind develops an immunity to this naturally.