COVID-19 4-H Meeting/Activity Guidelines – Effective June 1

Effective June 1, 2021:

  • Face masks are not required to be worn inside or outside at 4-H camp (day or overnight). Other COVID-19 protocols including social distancing and sanitizing remain in place and will be communicated directly with camp families.
  • Face masks are not required to be worn outside at any other OSU Extension (including 4-H) programs and activities, including 4-H club meetings/events and county-level events conducted by OSU Extension. Masks are still required at indoor events and when visiting the Extension office, regardless of vaccination status. Program participants ages five and older, and parent/guardians must wear a mask. Medical conditions or disability exceptions are permitted. Other COVID-19 protocols, including social distancing, cohorts/pods and sanitizing remain in place. 
    • Face masks are strongly recommended for those who are not yet fully vaccinated (strongly recommended means the individual chooses to wear a mask or not).
    • Include this message in your pre-meeting/event/program communications:
      • Individuals and/or family members may not attend if they or anyone living their household is experiencing any of the following symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of sense of taste or smell, or as been directly exposed (confirmed or suspected) to COVID-19 if they are not fully vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccinations are our best current protection against infection and a fatal outcome. Fully vaccinated individuals are not required to wear a face mask outdoors, however we strongly recommend eligible, but unvaccinated, individuals to continue to properly wear a face mask when social distancing cannot be maintained.

Find details at Ohio 4-H Planning Guide for In-Person Meetings & Events. Ohio 4-H continues to adjust guidelines as appropriate, and is relying on 4-H professionals, clubs, volunteers, parents and members to follow these guidelines so that activities continue to take place in person. These guidelines can change at any time if conditions change or guidelines are not followed.

Information effective April 26, 2021 includes:

  • Club meetings and events can meet in larger groups than the previous limit of 50, as long as they can maintain physical distance, wear masks when required and practice good hand hygiene. Per the Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department, meetings of more than 10 people should be split into smaller groups/pods of no more than 10 people per pod, with 6 feet or more separation between pods. Individuals living in the same household should be in the same pod.
  • Fundraisers and community service activities may now take place. These events need to follow physical distancing, masking, and sanitizing guidance.
    • Food booths are permitted with local health department approval.
    • For other fundraisers involving food, food must be pre-packaged and dine-in events are not permitted.
    • Follow your local health department guidelines as they take precedence.
  • Potlucks and buffets are not permitted. Only pre-packaged food (e.g., boxed lunches) may be served.

In addition to the guidance from the Ohio Department of Health, county and city health departments may release 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.