UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF OKLAHOMA FILED
IN RE: MASK PROTOCOL FOR PERSONS ) MAR 1 4 2022
WHO WORK IN OR VISIT THE FEDERAL ) CARMfeUTAReSDERSHiNN clerk
COURTHOUSES IN THE WESTERN ) G.O. 22-2 COLjgg^RN rasT. OKLA
DISTRICT OF OKLAHOMA )
ORDER
On February 25, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC")
issued updated guidance regarding indoor mask recommendations. The updated guidance
relies on local COVID-19 Community Levels to assess the preventative steps, including
the use offace coverings', that should be imposed. COVID-19 Community Levels- which
are classified as low, medium, or high - are based on hospital bed utilization, hospital
admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases. The CDC publishes these data
on a county-wide basis each week, and areas can fluctuate between the three tiers based on
local conditions. The guidance provides that in areas of high-risk individuals should
"[wjear a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status".^
As of March 11, 2022, Oklahoma County and its surrounding counties moved into
the low-risk tier; Comanche County, however, remains in the high-risk tier. Therefore, in
accordance with CDC guidance, it is ordered that effective immediately:
Persons who enter the federal courthouses in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma are not
required to wear face coverings while in public areas of the courthouses including
^ A face covering is a mask or similar covering that covers both the nose and mouth. Face shields do not
comply with this requirement.
2 COVID-19 Community Levels, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/communitv-
levels.html#anchor 1646415596059 (last accessed Mar. 11,2022)(footnote omitted).
courtrooms, but they may continue to wear a mask based on personal preference. Persons
who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or who are recovering from COVID-
19 must wear a mask consistent with G.O. 21-11 (filed Dec. 30, 2021). Judges have
discretion to require the wearing of masks during specific proceedings based on their
evaluation of the conditions then in effect.
All persons who enter the federal courthouse in Lawton, Oklahoma are required to
wear face coverings while in the public areas of the Lawton Courthouse. Children two
years of age or younger are relieved of this requirement. Persons without an appropriate
face covering will be provided a mask upon entering the Lawton Courthouse.
The Clerk of Court is directed to post the COVID-19 Community Risk Levels for
Oklahoma County and Comanche County on the Court's website^ each Friday. The mask
mandate contained in G.O. 21-10 (filed May 28, 2021) will be in effect at the federal
courthouses in the Western District of Oklahoma any time the risk level is in the high tier.
To the extent noted above, this General Order supersedes G.O. 21-10 (filed May 28,
2021) and shall remain in effect until further order ofthe Court.
ENTERED for the Court this of March, 2022.
TIMOTHY D. DeGlUSTI
Chief United States District Judge
3 www.okwd.uscourts.gov.
