The readiness levels across UK Scouts

The framework for face-to-face Scouting should be applied to whatever the readiness level is in your nation or jurisdiction. Check the readiness levels below.

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Last updated: 22 July 2021

Protecting ourselves and others

Guidance on how to protect everyone involved in the Scouts and support those made more vulnerable by the current situation. This guidance contains the most up to date information relating to social distancing, face coverings and hygiene arrangements, check this regularly to stay current.

Read the guidance

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.

England

Readiness level: YELLOW

This means: Section meetings can take place outdoors and indoors. Residential activities may take place.

Group sizes and limitations:

All non-residential activities (including young people, Scout Network and adult only groups): No limit on group size, although all activities must be able to safely manage the risk of transmission of COVID and, if this is not possible, they must not take place. Outdoor activities are still encouraged. In poorly ventilated locations social distancing and face coverings are expected and recommended (note any requirements by facilities and external providers must be followed).
Residential activities: Nights away activities may take place, limited to a maximum of 6 people per sleeping space (tent or room). COVID measures such as good hygiene remain in place, and lateral flow testing is strongly recommended to take place immediately prior to departure and twice a week throughout the trip and on return for those age 11 and over. Further information is available in the planning COVID-safe Nights Away in 2021 guidance.

Note: 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. Although there is no longer a legal requirement for many things, as Scouts, with a duty of care to others and to young people, we recommend and expect the application of good hygiene and covid-safe approaches to all our meetings, events, activities and residential experiences.  

Scotland

Readiness level: YELLOW

This means: Section meetings can take place outdoors and indoors. Residential activities may take place.

Group sizes and limitations:

Activities involving young people: no limit on group size, numbers will be limited by the size of the location given 1m social distancing is required indoors. A space-based approach should be taken in line with capacity guidance.
Scout Network programmed activities (non social): no limit on group size, numbers will be limited by the size of the location given 1m social distancing is required indoors. A space-based approach should be taken in line with capacity guidance.
Adult activities (non-social) with no young people present: Adults may meet in small groups for the purposes of providing the charity’s purpose, in line with household restrictions. Full details in getting adults involved again guidance.
Residential activities: Nights away activities may take place. Numbers will be based on the capacity of the venue provided, physical distancing indoors and other mitigations remain in place. For all Sections (including Scout Network) multi occupancy in tents/rooms of up to 8 young people from 4 households, based on the new Covid-19 Protection Level zero at the home local authority. Adults must use single occupancy accommodation unless from the same household. Scout ratios for both indoors and outdoors must be applied. COVID measures such as social distancing indoors and good hygiene remain in place (even overnight) and lateral flow testing is strongly recommended. Further guidance in the planning a COVID-safe nights away in 2021.

Further information on what this means in the Scouts here.

Note: Physical outdoor activities are permitted but should be planned to minimise risk, by limiting travel at all times. Trips should only take place where the outcomes cannot be achieved locally and must be in a COVID safe manner.

Wales

Readiness level: YELLOW

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

Group sizes and limitations:

Activities involving young people (including Scout Network): no limit on group size. Indoor activities will be limited by the size of the location given social distancing remains.
Adult activities (non-social) with no young people present: Adults may meet for the purposes of providing the charity’s purpose. Full details in getting adults involved again guidance, 30 indoors and no limit outdoors. Indoor activities will be limited by the size of the location given social distancing remains.
Residential activities: Nights away activities may take place with a maximum of 30 young people plus volunteers (adults and young leaders) and carers. Sleeping accommodation is limited to a maximum of 6 people per sleeping space (tent or room), and adults must use single occupancy accommodation unless from the same household. COVID measures such as social distancing and good hygiene remain in place (even overnight), groups must remain independent of others and and lateral flow testing is strongly recommended. Further guidance in the planning a COVID-safe nights away in 2021.

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: To aid with your planning from the 7th August - It is anticipated that Wales will fully move to Alert Level 0, and we expect the following restrictions to apply:

All non-residential activities (including young people, Scout Network and adult only groups): No limit on group size, although all activities must be able to safely manage the risk of transmission of COVID and, if this is not possible, they must not take place with Outdoor activities are still preferred. Face Coverings will still be a requirement in Indoor spaces for over 11's. All Scout owned premises must have a completed COVID specific Risk Assessment. (note any requirements by facilities and external providers must be followed).
Residential activities: Nights away activities may take place with a maximum of 30 young people plus volunteers (adults and young leaders) and carers. Sleeping accommodation is limited to a maximum of 6 people per sleeping space (tent or room), and adults must use single occupancy accommodation unless from the same household. COVID measures such as social distancing and good hygiene remain in place (even overnight), groups must remain independent of others and and lateral flow testing is strongly recommended.

Northern Ireland

Readiness level: YELLOW

This means: Section meetings can take place outdoors and indoors. Day trips and visits are permitted. Limited residential activities may take place.

Group sizes and limitations:

Activities involving young people: no limit on group size for outdoor meetings but remain as only one section meeting independently of others. Indoor activities are limited to a maximum of 25 young people plus leaders.
Scout Network programmed activities (non social): no limit on group size for outdoor meetings but remain as only one section meeting independently of others. Indoor activities are limited to a maximum of 25 young people plus leaders.
Adult activities (non-social) with no young people present : Adults may meet 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. This must use single occupancy accommodation such as tents or rooms (with the exception of siblings who may share). Indoor residentials are limited to a maximum of 6 young people plus leaders and carers, outdoor residentials have no maximum but will limited by the space available. Scout ratios for both indoors and outdoors must be applied. COVID measures such as social distancing and good hygiene remain in place (even overnight). Groups camping at the same site must remain independent of each other and lateral flow testing is strongly recommended, further guidance in the planning a COVID-safe nights away in 2021.

Further information on what this means can be found here.

Isle of Man

Readiness level: GREEN

This means: All activities can resume for members who live on the Isle of Man. No travel outside the Isle of Man for any Scouting purpose. No Travel to the Isle of Man for any Scouting purpose.

Group sizes and limitations:

Activities involving young people: no group size restriction
Scout Network programmed activities (non social): check local government guidance
Adult activities (non-social) with no young people present: check local government guidance

Guernsey

Readiness level: GREEN

This means: All activities can resume for members who live within the Bailiwick of Guernsey. No travel outside the Bailiwick for any Scouting purpose. No Travel to the Bailiwick for any Scouting purpose.

Group sizes and limitations:

Activities involving young people: no group size restriction
Scout Network programmed activities (non social): check local government guidance
Adult activities (non-social) with no young people present: check local government guidance

Jersey

Readiness level: GREEN

This means: All activities can resume for members who live within the jersey. No travel outside Jersey for any Scouting purpose. No Travel to Jersey for any Scouting purpose.

Group sizes and limitations:

Activities involving young people: no group size restriction
Scout Network programmed activities (non social): check local government guidance
Adult activities (non-social) with no young people present: check local government guidance

British Scouting Overseas (BSO)

Readiness level: VARIES

This means: See the British Scouting Overseas website for Reopening Status of Groups.

Group sizes and limitations: Maximum group sizes vary, see BSO website for full details.

Gibraltar

Readiness level: GREEN

This means: All activities can resume for members who live in Gibraltar. No travel outside Gibraltar for any Scouting purpose. No Travel to Gibraltar for any Scouting purpose. Residential activities may take place.

Group sizes and limitations:

Activities involving young people: no group size restriction
Scout Network programmed activities (non social): check local government guidance
Adult activities (non-social) with no young people present: check local government guidance