IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
In Re: :
:
:
COVID-19 REOPENING ENTRANCE :
REQUIREMENTS : STANDING ORDER 2020-09
:
:
STANDING ORDER
On July 13, 2020 the United States District Court for the Middle District of
Georgia will resume essential in-person, non-jury court proceedings at the discretion of
the presiding judge. The President of the United States, Governor of Georgia, Center
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other public health authorities continue
to advise taking precautions to reduce the possibility of exposure to COVID-19 and to
slow the spread of the disease.
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, or had close contact with,
anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the previous
twenty-one (21) days; or
b. Persons who have been asked to self-quarantine by any healthcare
provider within the previous twenty-one (21) days; or
c. Persons who within the previous fourteen (14) days have been on a
cruise, traveled outside of the United States, or traveled to any area
that has been declared in quarantine for COVID-19; or
d. 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. The clerk’s office shall remain closed for in-person business. All persons
seeking in-person assistance from the clerk’s office shall be provided with
contact information so alternate arrangements can be made.
3. In-person attendance at court proceedings shall be limited to all counsel of
record, criminal defendants, parties to civil proceedings, and a maximum of
six (6) family members attending per criminal defendant. If witnesses are
anticipated counsel shall coordinate the number and staggering of witnesses
with the court in advance of the hearing.
4. 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 unit 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. Masks or other face coverings must be content neutral and may not
express any offensive or inappropriate content. Masks will be provided
if necessary.
d. Court staff may remove masks when in their individual offices when a
2
distance of six feet from others can be maintained.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
SO ORDERED, this 6th day of July, 2020.
s/ Marc T. Treadwell
MARC T. TREADWELL
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
3
