USDC DNJ
DOCUMENT
ELECTRONICALLY FILED
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DOC #: ___________________
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY September 17, 2020
DATE FILED: _______________
IN RE: COVID-19 PROTOCOL FOR :
ENTRANTS TO ALL DNJ COURTHOUSES: STANDING ORDER 2020-14
WHEREAS, a National Emergency has been declared and the Governor of the State of
New Jersey has also declared a State of Emergency and a Public Health Emergency in response
to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public
health authorities have advised taking precautions to reduce the possibility of exposure to
COVID-19 and to slow the spread of the disease; and
WHEREAS, in response to government policy, CDC guidelines and public health
advancements, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (“Court”) has
adopted the District of New Jersey COVID-19 Recovery Guidelines (“Recovery Guidelines”),
providing for a phased approach to reconstituting operations; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the CDC’s recommendation, based upon data on the
spread of COVID-19, the Recovery Guidelines establish a Face Covering/Mask Protocol,
requiring employees to wear a face covering or mask to cover their noses and mouths in
community settings, in order to protect themselves and others nearby; and
WHEREAS, in response to all of the above, the Court entered Standing Order 2020-13,
“In Re: Use of Face Coverings/Masks Due to COVID-19,” providing that all persons seeking
entry to or occupying any Court facility in the District of New Jersey must wear a face covering
or mask when in a community setting, and also engage in six-foot social distancing; and
WHEREAS, in response to increased rates of COVID-19 transmission in certain states
within the United States (“hotspot states”), the State of New Jersey has issued a travel advisory,
asking those persons entering New Jersey from a hotspot state to self-quarantine for 14 days
upon their arrival in New Jersey; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in order to further public health and safety,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the following persons may not enter any Courthouse in
the District of New Jersey:
x Persons who have been advised to self-quarantine by any doctor, hospital or other health
professional within the last 14 days;
x Persons who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or told to presume they have
COVID-19 by a health professional within the last 14 days;
x Persons who have had contact within the last 14 days with anyone who has been
diagnosed with COVID-19 or told to presume they have COVID-19 by a health
professional, unless the diagnosis was more than 14 days ago and the person diagnosed
has been symptom-free for the past 72 hours;
x Persons who have had cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, muscle pain, headache,
sore throat, loss of taste or smell, or extreme fatigue within the last 14 days, unless the
symptoms are attributable to a known condition other than COVID-19;
x Persons who reside with someone who has had cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills,
muscle pain, headache, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, or extreme fatigue within the
last 14 days, unless the symptoms are attributable to a known condition other than
COVID-19;
x Persons who have returned to New Jersey from a hotspot state, international travel, or
cruise ship or river voyage within the past 14 days;
x Persons who have been released from federal, state or local jail, prison or other detention
facility within the last 14 days, except those who are reporting at the direction of the
Court, U.S. Pretrial Services or U.S. Probation Office; and
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that any persons attempting to enter in violation of
the above restrictions will be denied entry by the U.S. Marshals Service; and
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that any persons having business in one of the
Courthouses of the District of New Jersey but who cannot enter because of this Order should
do the following:
x Persons who are represented by an attorney should contact their attorney;
x Attorneys or pro se litigants who are scheduled to appear in court before a judge should
contact that judge’s chambers directly (contact information may be found on the Court’s
public webpage, www.njd.uscourts.gov);
x Persons who are scheduled to meet with a Pretrial Services Officer should contact the
Office of Pretrial Services: Camden (856) 757-5107; Newark (973) 645-2230; Trenton
(609) 989-2056;
x Persons who are scheduled to meet with a Probation Officer should contact the Probation
Office: Camden (856) 757-5043; Newark (973) 645-4240; Trenton (609) 989-2071;
x Jurors should contact the Jury Department: Camden (856) 757-5039; Newark (973) 645-
3499; Trenton (609) 989-2141;
x Employees reporting to work at any of the Courthouses should contact their supervisor;
x Persons having any other business with the District of New Jersey should contact the
Clerk’s Office: Camden (856)757-5021; Newark (973) 645-3730; Trenton (609) 989-
2065;
x Persons having business with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court should contact the Bankruptcy
Court Clerk’s Office: Camden (856) 361-2300; Newark (973) 645-4764; Trenton (609)
858-9333; and
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that every person who comes to any of the Courthouses
of the District of New Jersey for any reason must pass through the following entry screening
process:
x Wear a mask or face covering that covers the person’s nose and mouth. If a person does
not have a mask or face covering, a disposable mask will be provided.
x Apply hand sanitizer, which will be available at all Courthouse entrances; and
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that while in the Courthouse, all persons must comply
with the following rules, which are consistent with the Court’s Standing Order 2020-13:
x Mask or Face Covering: You must wear a mask or face covering that covers your nose
and mouth in all public areas of the Courthouse (including hallways, public counters,
elevators, and courtrooms).
x Social Distancing: You must adhere to safe social distancing rules, by standing or sitting
at least six feet away from other individuals. You must abide by markings on floors and
benches indicating where you may stand or sit. If you are standing in line, you must keep
six feet away from the person in front of you and behind you, unless you are taking care
of a small child or assisting someone with special needs. Elevator capacity will be
limited as posted. All elevator occupants must wear a mask or face covering.
x Instructional Signage: You must abide by all health and hygiene signage throughout the
Courthouses, including signage regarding masks and face coverings, social distancing,
occupancy restrictions, and hand washing; and
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that any person who fails or refuses to abide by the above
rules will be required to leave the Courthouse immediately; and
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the U.S. Marshal, his Deputies and the Court
Security Officers shall enforce this Order; and
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED this Order will remain in place until further Order of the
Court.
DATED:
___________________________
__________________
____
_____
Hon. Freda L. Wo
WWolfson
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U.S. Chief District Judge
District of New Jersey
