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6 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
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8 In Re:
9 REINSTATEMENT OF INDOOR MASK GENERAL ORDER NO. 07-22
REQUIREMENT DUE TO COVID-19
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AND RELATED CORONAVIRUS
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This General Order amends General Order 04-22 only with regard to face masks. The
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Court incorporates its prior findings regarding COVID-19 and the emergency declarations and
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15 public health guidelines as set forth in General Order 03-22.
16 In the last month, COVID-19 hospitalizations have increased in the Western District of
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Washington. This is likely due to the arrival of new Omicron subvariants and reflects a spread
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of the virus in the general population not otherwise recorded by local public health agencies due
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to the widespread use of at-home testing. Vaccinated individuals may become infected with this
21 subvariant and individuals who have previously been infected may become reinfected. The Court
22 finds it necessary to reimpose the mandatory use of face masks to protect all individuals who find
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themselves in the courthouse, including those who are ordered to appear.
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Given all of the above, the Court ORDERS that, effective Monday, July 11, 2022:
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26 • Face masks will be required for any person entering the courthouse and must be worn at
27 all times in the lobby, hallways, elevators, and other common areas as well as in
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courtrooms. Witnesses testifying on the stand may be required to remove their mask at
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the discretion of the presiding judge. Any other person speaking in the courtroom may
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2 be asked by the judge to temporarily remove their mask if their words cannot be
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• Consistent with prior General Orders, children under the age of two are not required to
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wear face masks. Individuals who cannot wear a face mask for health reasons but who
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otherwise must appear in Court are advised to contact the chambers of the judge presiding
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• COVID-19 Conditions of Entry signs will continue to be posted at the entrances to the
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Seattle and Tacoma Courthouses. Most individuals who review the information will
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understand when it is wise, from a public health standpoint, to voluntarily not enter the
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13 building. However, Court Security Officers are authorized to ask if an individual has
14 read the Conditions of Entry sign, and to deny entry to persons who confirm that they are
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currently diagnosed with COVID-19 or have experienced COVID-19 symptoms in the
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last five days, and who therefore pose a significant risk of spreading the Coronavirus to
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the public. The CDC recommends that people wear a well-fitting mask for five days after
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• All other provisions of General Order 04-22 remain in place.
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DATED this 8th day of July, 2022.
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A
RICARDO S. MARTINEZ
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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