Case 2:20-mc-03910-ECM Document 16 Filed 07/28/21 Page 1 of 2
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
IN RE: USE OF FACE COVERINGS )
OR MASKS IN COURTHOUSES ) CIV. MISC. NO. 2:20-mc-3910-ECM
DUE TO CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) )
GENERAL ORDER
This General Order is being issued in response to the ongoing national emergency
in response to the novel Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic. The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public health authorities have advised public and
private agencies to continue to take necessary and appropriate precautions to reduce the
possibility of exposure to COVID-19 and slow the spread of the disease, including the
recommendation of wearing face coverings or masks (hereinafter “masks”) in public
settings. Accordingly, in order to protect the public health and for good cause, it is
ORDERED that all persons over the age of two years, whether vaccinated or not,
including but not limited to:
Court employees; visitors and parties to cases; jurors;
witnesses; attorneys and their support staff including United
States Attorneys, members of the Federal Defender’s
Organization and members of the Criminal Justice Act Panel
of Attorneys; United States Probation Officers; Court Security
Officers; United States Marshals; all members of law
enforcement, Bankruptcy Administration personnel, General
Services Administration personnel including Goodwill
employees; maintenance and repair personnel and contractors,
cleaning services, vendors, and mail delivery service persons
1. Shall, effective immediately, wear a mask or face covering while in public
or common spaces inside the Courthouse, unless having received specific exception by a
Case 2:20-mc-03910-ECM Document 16 Filed 07/28/21 Page 2 of 2
Court official, or unless being instructed to remove a mask by an Officer with the United
States Marshals Service, the Federal Protective Service, or Court Security.
2. The public or common areas of the Courthouse shall include the entrance
areas, lobbies, balconies, public corridors, elevators, restrooms, stairwells, garages,
courtrooms and any other areas of the Courthouse where the public generally has access.
3. The mask or face covering must completely cover the wearer’s nose and
mouth.
4. The presiding judge in any court proceeding may authorize the removal of a
mask during the proceeding.
5. Courthouse employees who are alone in a private office or workspace which
permits at least six feet of physical distance from other persons, may remove their masks
while in their private workspaces.
6. The United States Marshals Service, the Federal Protective Service, and
Court Security Officers may deny entry to the Courthouse to persons not wearing a mask.
Individuals who remove their masks in violation of this Order after gaining access to the
Courthouse may be required to exit the building.
7. This Order is effective immediately and shall remain in effect until further
Order of the Court.
DONE this the 28th day of July, 2021.
/s/ Emily C. Marks
EMILY C. MARKS
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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