We know a majority of everyone is ready to return to in-person club meetings, trainings, and events. However, we must consider everyone’s safety and health by following the provided guidelines. Updated information effective January 16, 2021 includes:
- Hosting virtual meetings and events is preferred.
- If activities are critical/essential and are in-person, they must be education-focused.
- Group cannot be larger than 50 people, including adults, youth, presenters, etc.
- This directive is dependent on local health department guidelines.
- The group size may need to be reduced to 10 (or other amount), based on the
directives of your local health department.- In Morgan County, our health department is following the state guidelines provided by the Governor of 10 people or less for in-person gatherings.
- Now, if you want to meet in-person that will include more than 10 people and have the space for everyone to be social distanced, there is an 4-H Club Action Plan template for you to use. You may ONLY edit the highlighted areas with your club information. Once you complete this document, you will send it to Lindsey Gates lindsay.gates@morgancounty-oh.gov and Jeff Michaels jeff.michaels@morgancounty-oh.gov at the county health department. They will need to review the plan with Dr. Clark and approve it before you have your meeting.
- If you have any questions about the plan or need to make adjustments for your club, contact Lydia Flores.191@osu.edu (740-252-5430).
- Face masks are required.
- This includes inside AND outside at all times.
- Program participants and parent/guardians ages five and older must wear a mask.
- Medical conditions or disability exceptions are also permitted.
- Potlucks and buffets are not permitted.
Any time your county is designated a Level 4 Public Health Emergency (color-coded purple) or is approaching purple (red with an asterisk) by the Ohio Department of Health, all in-person 4-H club meetings and events must be held virtually or postponed until the designation changes to Level 3 or below. Ohio’s Public Health Advisory System updates are at https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/public-health-advisory-system/
In addition to the guidance from the Ohio Department of Health, county and city health departments are releasing local health advisories limiting activities or encouraging additional caution. When a local health advisory is in effect, 4-H club meetings and activities must follow that guidance when it is more restrictive than these guidelines.