As of January 18, GSEMA members should follow the strictest COVID-19
guidelines among federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws,
rules and regulations, including local business, school, and workplace
guidance, for mask wearing, vaccination requirements, gathering sizes,
quarantine, testing, and other precautions.
When there is a known positive case of COVID-19 at an activity where
Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts (GSEMA) members were
participating, a GSEMA volunteer first aider, troop leader, or other
event lead organizer should complete the GSEMA COVID-19 Incident Report.
Commitment to Health and Safety
At Girl Scouts of
Eastern Massachusetts, the physical and emotional safety of our Girl
Scouts, our families, our volunteers, and our staff is our highest
priority. We are taking a responsible approach to creating
environments that allow us to embody the Girl Scout Promise and Law,
require us to be considerate and caring, courageous, and strong,
responsible for what we say and do, respectful of ourselves and
others, respectful of authority, and to act as a sister to every Girl Scout.
As part of our commitment to health and safety, COVID-19 vaccines are strongly recommended
for all members who are eligible and able to receive the vaccine.
GSEMA also recommends that all Girl Scouts wear masks while indoors,
regardless of vaccination status. On GSEMA properties, all members and
guests are required to wear a mask while indoors, regardless of
vaccination status. (Masks may be removed while eating or sleeping.
Volunteers must remind participants that 6+ feet of physical distance
should always be maintained when masks are removed.)
GSEMA also recommends that Girl Scouts wear masks while outdoors
when gathering in large groups (50+), especially those that include
other groups, non-member family and friends, or the general public,
such as during cookie booths.
COVID-19 Symptoms Screening
If a potential attendee has
experienced any of the following symptoms within the last 24 hours,
they should NOT attend in-person gatherings: fever (temperature of
100.0°F or above), felt feverish or had chills, cough, sore throat,
difficulty breathing, gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, nausea,
vomiting), fatigue (fatigue alone should not exclude a member from
participation), headache, new loss of smell/taste, new muscle
aches.
Potential attendees should follow all applicable guidelines if they have
been exposed to, tested positive for, or are awaiting test results for
COVID-19. As a reminder, information about an individual’s COVID-19
test results and vaccination status are protected health information, as defined by
federal HIPAA laws.
A list of all attendees and their contact information must always be
kept in the event that it is needed for contact tracing. This includes
anyone our members are interacting with for 15+ minutes.
When there is a known positive case of COVID-19 at an activity where
GSEMA members were participating, a GSEMA volunteer first aider, troop
leader, or other event lead organizer should complete the GSEMA COVID-19 Incident Report.
Transportation
We recommend that Girl Scouts follow best
practices outlined by the American Camp Association while
carpooling, including limiting the number of occupants, wearing face
masks, opening vehicle windows, and cleaning touch points frequently.
While using public transit, Girl Scouts should follow all applicable
COVID-19 regulations.
Meeting on Private Property
We understand that COVID-19
has had a significant impact on Girl Scouts' ability to gather in
public spaces. GSEMA’s Meeting Place Policy, as detailed in Volunteer Policies and Procedures, allows
exceptions for Girl Scouts to meet on private property on a limited
basis. Review and complete the online application to request permission for
Girl Scouts to meet outdoors and indoors, provided the space can
reasonably accommodate the number of members meeting while following
current local, state, and federal COVID-19 guidelines, on private
property on a limited basis.
Use of backyard equipment (pools, outdoor cooking, play
structures, or other equipment) requires additional council approval to ensure that Safety Activity Checkpoints are met. Please
see our safety page for details. (Note: use of
outdoor trampolines is not permitted, as defined on page 14 of the Safety
Activity Checkpoints.) Please
review the Safety Activity Checkpoints and submit a Girl Scout Activity Form for high-risk activities.
Troop Camping
After a successful summer and troop camp
season and with GSEMA’s properties re-opening for encampments and
troop camping activities, GSEMA has highlighted COVID-19 protection
guidelines for Girl Scouts planning and participating in overnight
activities. Please see our troop camping page for details. (Note: service
units and troops who make property reservations will also receive a
copy of this information in their confirmation packets.)
Travel
Troops may travel for day trips and overnights
within Massachusetts and neighboring states. Troops must complete the
appropriate troop travel paperwork, including either a Girl Scout Activity Form (1-2 nights) and Request to Travel (3+ nights).
Domestic air travel will be considered on a case by case basis using
the Request to Travel form. International travel is
not approved at this time due to guidance from GSUSA and the US Department of State.
If you have any questions or need help finding additional resources,
please email customercare@gsema.org.
