IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
IN RE: USE OF FACE COVERINGS 2021 Y 19 P 2: 29
OR MASKS IN COURTHOUSES ) 2021-004
- '
DUE TO CORONAVIRUS (COVJD-19) ) i
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GENERAL ORDER
This General Order is being issued in response to the updated guidance from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that vaccinated persons do not need to
wear face coverings or masks (hereinafter "masks") in certain public settings.
Accordingly, and for good cause, it is
ORDERED that all fully-vaccinated persons 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
I. Are not required to wear a mask or face covering while inside any of the
Courthouses of this District, unless having received specific instruction to do so by a Court
official.
2. The presiding judge in any court proceeding may require the wearing of a
mask during the proceeding, including but not limited to jury selection, trials, hearings, or
conferences.
3. Any person who is not fully-vaccinated shall, consistent with CDC guidance,
wear a mask or face covering while in public or common spaces inside the Courthouse,
unless having received specific exception by a Court official, or unless being instructed to
remove a mask by an Officer with the United Stales Marshals Service, the Federal
Protective Service, or Court Security.
4. 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.
5. The presiding judge in any court proceeding may authorize the removal of a
mask during the proceeding.
6. Courthouse employees, otherwise required to wear a mask, may remove their
masks while alone in a private office or workspace which permits at least six feet of
physical distance from other persons.
7. This Order is effective immediately and shall remain in effect until further
Order of the Court. To the extent inconsistent with this Order, any order in this district is
hereby SUPERSEDED.
DONE this the 19th day of May, 2021.
L. SCOl T COOGL �
CHIEF UNI'T'ED ST - ES DISTRICT JUDGE
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