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Cumbria Army Cadets get ready to reopen

Cumbria Army Cadets get ready to reopen

9 May 2021

  • Cumbria ACF


As a result of the respective Governments setting out their roadmaps to reopen the UK, the Army Cadets is now preparing to return to training. In order to reassure you that the health and safety of all our cadets and adult volunteers is my paramount consideration, I wanted to write to you to let you know some of the additional measures we have put in place. Please see below for your detachment opening dates.

COVID secure buildings

All buildings have been risk assessed to determine the maximum safe capacity during a COVID-19 environment. As a result, we have implemented smaller groups sizes, one-way systems, different classroom sets ups, the wearing of a face covering inside (unless medically exempt) and have provided additional cleaning materials in all our buildings.

Safe adults

All Cadet Force Adult volunteers have been given some COVID-19 specific training on how to reopen detachments and conduct training safely. There has also been a four-week training gap between adults and cadets returning to training. This has allowed upskilling to ensure the adult volunteer is current and competent to deliver cadet training safely.

Safe training

The delivery of training that your child will see may be somewhat different in the short term. In line with Government and youth agency guidance, they will be required to train in specific bubbles and will not be permitted to mix. In the short term, there may be more training outdoors. All personnel will also be required to wear a face covering whilst indoors
(unless they are exempt). Finally, as long as it remains Government advice, social distancing will be enforced at all times to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus.

Residential training

On the 17th May, I hope we can recommence residential training. In order to prepare for this, I have set out stricter guidelines on when people are permitted to attend events. No cadet or adult volunteer will be permitted to attend a residential event if they or any close contact develops any COVID-19 symptoms 14 days prior to the event.

I am also be requesting that each cadet/CFAV attending camp complete a screening declaration, a copy of which is attached. This is to try and reduce the possibility of an infected person attending an event.

Along with the declaration, the cadet/CFAV will be asked to take a lateral flow test 24 hours before the event. If the test produces a positive result, the cadet/CFAV will not be permitted to attend the event and must arrange for a PCR test.

Actions on COVID outbreak in the Army Cadets

If anyone during any event becomes unwell with a new, continuous cough or a high temperature, or has a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia) there is a procedure which must be followed:

Immediate Actions

1. In an emergency, we will call 999 if any person is seriously ill, injured or there is a risk to life.

2. The symptomatic person will be isolated immediately. There will be a room set aside during residential events. This isolation will be supervised by a CFAV who will have access to appropriate PPE.

3. We will arrange for the other members of their bubble (inc. CFAVs) to be isolated, away from others and the person with symptoms. They should thoroughly wash their hands for 20 seconds.

4. You will be contacted to collect your child and take them home to isolate in accordance with Government advice. When you collect your child, you will be advised that your child should isolate in accordance with current Government advice and if they are the person who is symptomatic, you will also be asked to arrange a PCR test for them and notify us of the result

Under no circumstances will any cadet/CFAV who has been in contact with a symptomatic cadet/CFAV be able to stay on any event due to the high risk of transmission.

Contact tracing

If any person tests positive, my staff hold comprehensive nominal rolls and will inform any person who has been in contact with an infected person to allow them to isolate in accordance with Government advice.

I understand this is a challenging time, but I want to reassure you that all possible measures have been taken to protect your child during this uncertain and challenging time. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s detachment commander or a member of our Support Staff on 01228 516222.

Yours sincerely,

Col GR Harnby

Arnhem Company

Date Opening

Burma Company

Date Opening

Chindit Company

Date Opening

Aspatria

17 May

Barrow

3 May

Cleator Moor

17 May

Brampton

17 May

Dalton

26 April

Cockermouth

17 May

Castle

10 May

Kendal

10 May

Keswick

10 May

Harraby

17 May

Millom

17 May

Maryport

13 May

Longtown

17 May

Whitehaven

10 May

Penrith

6 May

Workington

10 May

Wigton

17 May

RTT