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8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
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IN RE:
11 GENERAL ORDER 10-20
COVID-19 SCREENING
12 QUESTIONS AND FACE
COVERING REQUIREMENTS
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15 This General Order is being issued to add to the Court’s Coronavirus Disease 2019
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(COVID-19) safety procedures in conjunction with General Order 08-20, which stated:
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18 Effective immediately, all persons over two years of age seeking
entry to, or occupying, the Seattle and Tacoma Courthouses
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must wear a face covering or mask at all times unless otherwise
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covering must completely conceal the wearer’s nose and mouth
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at all times. If the wearer is a court employee who is alone in a
22 private office or workspace, which permits at least six feet of
physical distance from other persons, the wearer may
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temporarily remove the face covering. Any visitor seeking entry
24 to the Courthouse without a face covering or mask will be
provided a mask by the Court. If the Court is unable to provide
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a mask for any reason, the visitor will be asked to contact by
26 telephone the office to be visited to explore alternatives to
entering the Courthouse. The Court Security Officers shall
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enforce this Order and deny entry to those individuals not
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The above procedures are based on the best public health advice available and are
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3 designed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the courthouse lobby, elevators, hallways,
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courtrooms and other indoor spaces. To aid in the further reopening of the Courthouses,
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the following additional procedures will now be implemented:
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7 1. Updated COVID-19 screening questions will be posted at the entrances to the
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Seattle and Tacoma Courthouses. Most individuals who review these questions will
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10 understand when it is wise, from a public health standpoint, to voluntarily not enter
11 the building. However, Court Security Officers are authorized to ask if an
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individual has read and answered any of the screening questions in the affirmative,
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14 and to deny entry to persons who cannot satisfactorily answer these screening
15 questions and who therefore pose a significant risk of spreading the Coronavirus to
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the public.
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18 2. The above required face coverings or masks can include homemade or factory-made
19 fabric masks as well as scarves or bandanas that cover the mouth and nose with two
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layers of fabric. Wearing a clear plastic face shield without a face covering or mask
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22 does not satisfy the above requirements. Attorneys who appear for court and grand
23 jury proceedings shall wear a mask and a face shield when not speaking during court
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proceedings. Attorneys may lower their mask when speaking during court
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26 proceedings.
27 3. Persons who are not wearing a face covering or mask at entry and who decline a
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1 Court provided mask will be denied entry unless they state that a medical condition,
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mental health condition, or disability prevents them from safely wearing a mask.
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Medical documentation is not required. Those making such a declaration will not
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5 be required to wear a mask and will instead be offered a clear plastic face shield.
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Persons who decline this face shield will be asked to step outside to telephone the
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8 office to be visited to discuss options for their entry to the Courthouse. If
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entry. Individuals with disabilities who foresee an issue with these procedures are
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12 advised to contact the Clerk’s Office for the appropriate Courthouse to make
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IT IS SO ORDERED.
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16 Dated this 21st day of July, 2020.
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A
RICARDO S. MARTINEZ
21 CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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United States District Court
Western District of Washington
• Are you currently diagnosed with COVID-19?
• Within the last 10 days, have you experienced any symptoms of
COVID-19? The principal symptoms include: cough, fever or chills,
muscle/body aches, difficulty breathing, and/or new loss of taste or
smell.
• Within the last 14 days, have you been in close physical contact
(meaning within six feet or closer) with a person who has been
diagnosed with COVID-19?
• Within the last 14 days, have you or a member of your household
received instructions from a doctor, hospital, or public health
authority to self-observe, self-isolate, or self-quarantine due to
possible exposure to COVID-19?
If your answer to ANY of the above questions is YES, you will NOT be
allowed to enter the courthouse.
