Dear Scout Leaders,

The Middle Tennessee Council, BSA is monitoring the status of COVID-19 / Coronavirus with the health and safety of our Scouts and Leaders always being our top priority. We are following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Tennessee Department of Health, and our Council Leadership.

For the time being, Scout meetings, events, camps, programs, training and other council-sponsored programs are continuing without interruption, with the exceptions of the University of Scouting and Spring OA weekend which have been cancelled. We will continue to monitor guidelines provided by the federal and state government and update you via e-mail, Facebook and on our website, MTCBSA/Health and Safety.

We highly recommend anyone attending any Scout meetings or campouts complete the Health Questionnaire form and submit upon arrival. After the initial pre-screening is completed, we ask that your unit have someone check in each person upon arrival and verbally re-ask the same questions at future meetings. These steps will help prevent the spread of any virus to the rest of the Unit.

Here are ways you can help:

A Scout is Clean and Prepared:

• Practice good hygiene and have hand washing stations or hand sanitizer available at activities.
• Conduct meetings or activities outdoors when possible.
• Avoid activities where Scouts have to have close contact with each other such as holding hands.
• Limit food sharing or buffet style food service.
• Take time for a teaching moment about good hygiene with your Scouts.
• Monitor School Districts as they discuss school and extracurricular activities and follow their guidance on meeting as a unit.  
• Work closely with your Charter Partner and Unit Committee if you have questions regarding your routine scheduling. Consider postponing large gatherings if they deem it necessary.

Please familiarize yourself with the CDC guidelines on how to limit the spread of the virus, here at the CDC's Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities. Additionally, we are providing you links for Communicable Disease Prevention and Membership/Participation Regarding Disease Framework. We ask you to have all leader review these documents prior to attending any meeting or campout.

The safety of our Scouts and Leaders is our number one priority. If you have questions about District or Council events happening in your area please contact your District Professional. As your Council Leadership, we thank you for your leadership and dedication to helping keep our Scouts Safe.

Dr. John Bright Cage Council Board President	Karen Bengtson Council Commissioner	Larry Brown Scout Executive