COVID-19 In-Person Match Meeting Guidelines

Governor Tim Walz has loosened restrictions imposed due to COVID-19 , but warned that caution is still needed to prevent further spread of the virus. The new order, which takes effect at midnight on Saturday, December 19, replaces a four-week pause that prevented Bigs and Littles from meeting in person. Updated guidelines now allow the following:

• Indoor group gatherings involving up to two households and no more than 10 people;

• Outdoor gatherings with no more than three households and 15 people.

While the governor is allowing indoor gatherings for individuals from two different households, we still encourage matches to meet outdoors whenever possible and limit time in enclosed spaces like vehicles. If you choose to be inside or in a vehicle together, at a minimum we ask you to follow Minnesota Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control guidelines, including wearing a mask, maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet, washing your hands, not touching your face, and staying home if you or someone close to you has symptoms of COVID-19. Try to allow for ventilation through open windows and fresh air when possible.

It is the decision of each individual family and volunteer whether to meet in person or virtually. Governor Walz’s new restrictions do not prohibit one-on-one interactions (like a Big and a Little meeting in person) as long as proper safety guidelines are followed. However, all participants must wear a mask while together and all parties must agree to resume meeting in person. If you haven’t already done so, all parties (Big, Little’s parent/guardian) must sign an in-person meeting agreement and acknowledgement form prior to meeting in person. Please refer to “COVID-19 In-Person Match Meeting Guidelines” in the original blog post below for more information.