UNITED ST ATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT
I RE : G E ERAL ORDER
CO RT OPERA Tl N UN DER THE EXIGE T
CIRCUMST A CE CREATED BY COYlD-19
WHEREAS the Presid nt of the United tates ha declared a national emergency, and
the Governor of th tate of Connecticut has declared a public health emergency throughout the
State:
WHEREAS, the U.S. Centers for Di ease Control and Prevention has advi ed people to
take precautions against the COVID-19 iru (coronavirus) outbreak, including ocial distancing
and the wearing of ma k and other cloth face cov rings in public settings wher soci al
distancing measures are difficult to maintain; A D
WHEREAS, the Court continues to review its operations to identify measures that will
help slow the spread of the virus by minimizing contact between person while at the same time
preserving its core mission of serving the public through the fair and impru1ial administration of
justice
IT I HEREBY ORDERED, effective June 16, 2020, and until further order, that:
1) Begi1rning June 16, 2020 individual judge will determine, after giving due
consideration to the public health risks presented by in-court appearances. whether it
is in the interests of justice to hold an non-jur ci ii or criminal proce ding in the
courtroom. A judge presiding over a ca e may decide to hold a proceeding in the
courtroom to hold the proceeding over video or telephone or to hold a ·'hybrid"
proceeding in which the number of per ons in the courtroom is limited while other
persons participate or ob erve remotely via video or telephone. In all cases, judges
will notify the parties through the CM/ECF ystem whether, and to what extent. a
proc eding ill be he l I in th e co urtroom . .Jury ri al " ill conti nue to be go,·crn ed by
this Court s General Order dated May 19, 2020.
2) For any in-court proceedings after June 15, 2020 all participants, unless the judge
orders otherwise, and all persons attending the proceeding must wear masks at all
times, as required by this Court's General Order dated May 19, 2020. Furth r, all
participants and attendees must comply with social distancing mea ure implemented
in the courtroom, including standing or sitting in designated areas.
3) Because the grand jw-y performs an essential service that can afely b performed in a
courtroom without anyone breaching social di lancing rules. and becau e the Court
has twi e alely hosted tbe grand jury in the ew Ha en courthou in recent weeks
after taking measures aimed at protecting grand jurors, the U .S. Attorney' Office
may begin conducting grand jury proceedings in any courthou e after June 15, 2020.
All grand jurors shall observe appropriate social distancing and shall wear ma ks
while pres nt in the courthouse. Additional precautions hall b undertaken a
necessary to promote safety and encourage grand juror participation.
4) During this period and until further order of the Court, taffin the Clerk·s Office wiU
continue to telework to the maximum extent po sible consistent with serving the
needs of the public. Limited . taff will be J?r'SCnt at the Clerk· office al each at of
court to process filings and answer telephonic questions from the public during
normal business hours. Tel work policies applicable to judges' chambers will be
decided by ach judge.
5) This paragraph super edes the General Order dated March 11. 2020 related to
restrictions on visitors to courthouses. The following per ons shall not enter any
courthouse in the District of Connecticut:
• Persons who have within the past 21 days, experienced fever or flu-lik
symptoms or the lo s of the sense ot taste or smell;
• Per ons who ha\e te ted po itive for COVID-19. unless at lea t 21 da) · have
passed from the positive test or the experience of fever. flu-like ymptoms, or
the loss of the sense of taste or smell. whichever is later:
• Persons who have had close contact with anyone who haste ted positi e for
COVl 0-19, unle at least 21 days have passed from either the other person· s
po itive te tor the clo e contact with that other person.
0 ORD RED:
Dat d: 0-1.u,1e /2 1 202IJ s/Stefan R. Underhill
Bridgeport, CT
