New Birth of Freedom Council, BSA Website for the New Birth of Freedom Council, BSA
On July 15, in response to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in the Commonwealth, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and Department of Health Secretary Rachel Levine issued new targeted mitigation orders that will directly impact meetings and other Scouting activities.
Among the various measures announced by Governor Wolf and Secretary Levine, indoor events and gatherings of more than 25 persons are prohibited, effective July 16, 2020. Additionally, outdoor events and gatherings of more than 250 persons are also prohibited.
In announcing these new orders, Governor Wolf and Secretary Levine continued to stress the importance of mask-wearing requirements in helping to prevent the unknowing spreading or picking up the virus.
“We want people to spend time together, but to do so while practicing social distancing and wearing masks when required, such as any time you leave your home and are not participating in outdoor fitness,” Governor Wolf said. “We have seen these efforts work during the first wave in the spring, and they will work again if we all do our part. Thank you to every Pennsylvanian for your continued patience and support. I know you are eager for life to get back to normal, and I am, too.”
Safety is Always Our Top Priority
As always, the safety of our Scouts, volunteers, employees, and communities is our top priority. Precautions and mitigation strategies are important, but they cannot eliminate the potential for exposure to COVID-19 or any other illness when in-person activities resume.
People with COVID-19 may show no signs or symptoms of illness, but they can spread the virus. Some people may be contagious before their symptoms occur. The fact is that someone with COVID-19 may pass the required health screenings and be allowed into program activities.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. If you are in this group, please ensure you have approval from your health care provider prior to participating in any in-person Scouting activities.
Updated guidelines for units for meetings and activities incorporating these latest mitigation orders announced by the Wolf Administration on July 15 are available on the Council’s website.
