Sunday, September 5, 2021

COVID-19 - REQUIREMENT TO WEAR MASKS AND MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING IN JUDICIARY AREAS OF COURT LOCATIONS

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NOTICE TO THE BAR AND PUBLIC
COVID-19 REQUIREMENT TO WEAR MASKS AND MAINTAIN SOCIAL

DISTANCING IN JUDICIARY AREAS OF COURT LOCATIONS

The Supreme Court in its June 9, 2020 Order required that all persons who enter or occupy Judiciary areas of court locations must wear masks and maintain social distancing. The requirement to (1) wear a mask and (2) maintain social distancing is subject to narrow exceptions, including for persons who require accommodations. The Judiciary in a June 17, 2021 notice confirmed the continuation ofthe policy and provided further direction as to the circumstances in which a judge may permit individuals in a courtroom to remove or lower their mask. This notice is to advise as to the consequences for willful violation ofthe Court's policy, which is intended to mitigate against the risks to public health and safety posed by the COVID-19 virus.

A person who enters or occupies a Judiciary location and refuses to wear a mask or maintain social distancing in willful violation of the Supreme Court's policy as set forth in the above-referenced order and notice may be excluded from the court location. Such individual also may be held in contempt of court (Rule

1:10-1). Those provisions do not apply to individuals who are exempted from the policy, including persons who require medical accommodations and children under the age of two years. Nor do they apply if an individual has been permitted by a judge to remove their mask in a courtroom.

County Sheriffs may be called to assist in any situation in which an individual is in willful violation of those health and safety requirements.

Questions should be directed to the Office ofthe Administrative Director of the Courts at (609) 376-3000.