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Returning to In-Person Troop Meetings and Activities
Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Volunteers
Edition date: 6/16/2020
This guidance is being provided as of the Edition Date
above. Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama may modify this guidance,
from time to time as circumstances change.
COVID-19 is an extremely contagious virus that spreads
easily in the community. Take all reasonable precautions to limit
potential exposure for girls, volunteers, and families.
Guidance for in-person meetings:
Troop Meeting Space. Outdoor spaces where social distancing can be maintained are strongly recommended for meetings.
Troop Meetings in the home are not currently permitted. Additional guidance on meeting in the home will be provided at a later date.
Troop Meeting Size & General Guidance. You
should consider your troop size when selecting a meeting space. Social
distancing of at least 6 feet is required. When safe social distancing
is not possible, such as during instruction, masks must be worn by
adults and children 10 years and older, per state guidelines. All safety
activity checklist guidelines must still be met.
If you have a large troop, stay connected while you
wait for a safe time for everyone to gather. Large troops are wonderful,
so stay together! Some ideas: -
Host virtual troop meetings.
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Gather up in smaller groups—such as age-level groups,
patrols, or groups of girls with a particular badge they’d like to work
on.
Transportation. Individual parents drop off and
pick up their own girls from meetings. Carpooling should be avoided,
where possible, to maintain social distancing.
Day trips and activities. In conjunction with
Safety Activity Checkpoints, follow the same guidance as Troop Meetings
and Hygiene and COVID-19 Risk Mitigation guidance in this document.
Travel and overnight stays. All travel and
overnight stays are suspended through June 30. Additional travel
guidelines for July 1st and beyond can be found here: LINK???
Hygiene and COVID-19 Risk Mitigation. Follow the resources developed by credible public health sources such as CDC
or your local public health department. Share these with girls and
volunteers and ensure that they are practiced during meetings and
activities.
Personal contact. Hugs, handshakes,
“high-fives,” and even activities like the friendship circle or squeeze
can transmit COVID-19 from person to person. Refrain from these gestures
for the time being. Create a safe way for girls and volunteers to greet
and end meetings instead (like tapping elbows).
First Aid Supplies. Troop first aid supplies
should include COVID-19 prevention items including hand sanitizer (at
least 60% alcohol), tissues, disposable facemasks, and disinfectants.
Disinfectants and Disinfecting. Routinely clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are frequently touched (i.e., table tops, markers, scissors, etc.).
Face Coverings. Volunteers should remind girls
that Girl Scouts wear face coverings (masks) not only to protect
themselves but to protect others. Face coverings are a civic
responsibility and a sign of caring for the community. Girls can bring
their own face coverings.
Reporting and communicating a positive COVID 19 test.
In the event of a COVID-19 positive test result, do NOT contact the
parents or troop members. Promptly contact your council in this
situation. A council staff member and NOT volunteers, will be responsible for: -
Confirming and tracing the positive tester,
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Contacting the parents of anyone who may have been exposed (or other volunteers),
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Notifying a facility or homeowner where a troop has met, and
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Alerting the state department of health.
Let other volunteers know that council staff, NOT volunteers, will notify parents and others about a positive test result and that the tester’s identity is confidential.
Remember that girl and volunteer health information is private and
strictly confidential and should be only shared on a need to know basis
with a council staff member. |
