IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
In Re: :
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COVID-19 ENTRANCE :
REQUIREMENTS : STANDING ORDER 2021-04
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STANDING ORDER
To protect public health, including the health of court staff, parties, court
participants, and all other building occupants, the Court hereby orders that:
1. The following persons shall not enter any courthouse or U.S. Probation Office
of the Middle District of Georgia without prior permission from the Chief Judge
or his designee:
a. Persons who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the previous
fourteen days; or
b. Persons who have been asked to self-quarantine by any healthcare
provider or state or local health authority within the previous fourteen
days; or
c. Fully vaccinated persons who have been exposed to COVID-19 and
are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19; or
d. Unvaccinated persons who have been exposed to COVID-19 within the
previous fourteen days; or
e. Persons with any symptom of COVID-19 identified by the CDC,
including fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, new loss of taste
or smell, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
2. Court proceedings are open to the public subject to social distancing
requirements and the above health related entrance criteria. The following
procedures govern the use of masks or other face coverings:
a. Masks or other face coverings that cover the mouth and nose must be
worn by all persons in all public areas of court occupied space in the
Middle District of Georgia. Masks will be provided to entrants if
necessary.
b. Presiding judges shall establish the requirement for wearing masks for
court proceedings in their courtrooms.
c. Court staff may remove masks when in their individual offices or when
CDC guidance otherwise allows for the removal of masks.
3. Anyone denied entry due to these precautions, or anyone with a documented
health condition that prevents the wearing of a mask or other face covering
will be provided with contact information to contact the relevant court or other
agency with whom they have business.
4. The United States Marshal, his deputies, and court security officers shall deny
entry to anyone attempting to enter in violation of this Order and shall have
the authority to remove anyone from a courthouse or United States Probation
Office in the Middle District for failure to abide by this Order while in our
facilities.
5. Nothing in this order prevents hearings from being conducted remotely
pursuant to the CARES Act with the consent of the Defendant and approval of
the presiding judge.
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6. This order supersedes Amended Standing Order 2020-09.
SO ORDERED, this 18th day of March, 2021.
s/ Marc T. Treadwell
MARC T. TREADWELL
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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