IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA
IN THE MATTER OF:
Standing Order No. 2021-12
VACATUR OF STANDING ORDER 2020-4
AND LIFTING RESTRICTIONS ON VISITORS
TO COURTHOUSES
On May 13, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), issued
new guidance for persons fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In short, "fully vaccinated
people may resum� normal activities without wearing a mask and no longer have to physically
distance, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and
regulations, including local business and workplace guidance." 1 On May 14, 2021, Virginia's
Governor lifted Virginia's indoor mask mandate based on the CDC's updated guidance, and
announced he will ease all distancing and capacity restrictions on May 28, 2021.2
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the court's operations have been carried out in
accordance with the guidance of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, the CDC, the
Governor of Virginia, and other state and local health authorities to help prevent the spread
of the COVID-19 virus and protect the health and safety of everyone involved with court
operations and court proceedings.
On March 13, 2020, this court entered Standing Order 2020-4 to temporarily prohibit
1 See CDC Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People available at:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov /vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html (May 13, 2021).
2 See Commonwealth of Virginia, Office of the Governor, press release at:
https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom /all-releases/2021/may/headline-895235-en.html (May 14,
2021).
