COVID-19 Information
COVID-19 Response of the Australian Contingent
COVID-19 has affected many, many people and disrupted lives and businesses around the world since the end of 2019. The CMT is making sure that we put the appropriate plans in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are continually monitoring the situation and are in close contact with the host nation, South Korea, the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), Scouts Australia National and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Our prime goal is to ensure that we provide a safe environment for all of our Contingent members.
Throughout the planning stages of our trip, we will ensure that we do not make any commitments to any travel including flights or programmed activities until we have confidence that we are able to travel outside of Australia.
We will be keeping an eye out of these areas:
- Vaccination rollout in Australia and the rest of the world;
- Australia’s Travel Safe advisory that states it is okay to leave the country and is safe to travel to South Korea;
- The World Scout Jamboree has been approved by the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM); and
- We have confidence that the Jamboree Organisers have the appropriate controls in place in the event that there is an outbreak during the Jamboree.
There are regular communication between our Contingent and the World Scout Jamboree Planning Group, with the next update planned October 2021.
We’re confident that with vaccinations being rolled our around the globe, that this will allow this international event to go ahead.
COVID-19 Safety
Are you unwell?
If you are unwell you should stay home and get tested. Even if your symptoms are mild, you should get tested. There are many free testing sites in every state of Australia.
If you receive a negative COVID test and have minor respiratory illnesses or symptoms, you should STAY HOME.
Protect yourself and others
These simple things can slow the spread of the virus and help protect those most at risk.
- social distancing at all times (stay at least 1.5m from others)
- follow current local laws on gatherings and maximum number of people for the area
- coughing and sneezing into your elbow
- wash or alcohol clean your hands often
- avoid shaking hands and touching your mouth and face
- clean and disinfect surfaces and frequently touched objects – make sure disinfectant is available
- when possible, increase the amount of fresh air by opening windows or meeting outdoors
- use a QR code to sign into places you visit (if available in your state)
- Get vaccinated if and when you are eligible
COVID-19 Jamboree Organisers Statement
The Organizing Committee of the 25th World Scout Jamboree is working closely with local and national governments, as well as healthcare professionals, to ensure that all possible health and safety prevention measures are in place to limit the potential spread of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases during the event.
Korea is a role model for good health practices and has succeeded in preventing the spread of COVID-19 where proper quarantines are currently enforced and social distancing is well maintained through the country’s “3T approach”.
The 3T refers to Test (diagnosis/confirmation), Trace (epidemiological survey/trace) and Treat (isolation/treatment). The 3T approach is also called “K-quarantine,” or the Korean quarantine model.
Among the 18 measures to be proposed to the Geneva-based ISO are Korea’s temporary drive-through and walk-through COVID-19 testing centers; a smart phone app that asks users about their possible symptoms of the virus and reports the results to government officials; another app that monitors users’ self-quarantine and alerts government officials when the users leave their homes; several social distancing guidelines; government-led isolated treatment centers; and diagnostic test kits.
Intensive COVID-19 prevention measures will be implemented at the 25th World Scout Jamboree reflecting not only global standards (including World Health Organization standards), but also Korea’s control and prevention policies by KCDC (The Korea Centers for Disease Prevention and Control).
We hope that the global vaccine rollout will help ensure that ahead of the 25th World Scout Jamboree we consider the health and safety of all participants and contingents from their point of departure to the point of arrival and during the event. Being outdoors and enjoying Scouting activities in nature is safe when taking the necessary precautions.
We are hopeful that these measures, if required at the time of the event, will provide the safest environment for our Scouts from all around the globe.