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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
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In Re:
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6 NEW MODIFIED COURT GENERAL ORDER NO. 10-21
OPERATIONS UNDER THE EXIGENT
7 CIRCUMSTANCES CREATED BY
COVID-19 AND RELATED
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CORONAVIRUS
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This General Order will address a change in Court policies given the significant reduction
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in the number of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in this District. On March 17 and
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12 25, 2020, the Court entered General Orders 02-20 and 03-20 addressing, among other things, the
13 closing of the Seattle and Tacoma Courthouses for at least 30 days and the procedures for
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conducting civil and criminal matters remotely. The Court incorporates here its prior findings
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regarding COVID-19 and the emergency declarations and public health guidelines as set forth in
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those prior General Orders.
18 On April 13, 2020, the Court continued the procedures established by General Orders 02-
19 20 and 03-20 for 30 days. Further continuances were issued on May 13, July 30, September 4,
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October 2, December 30, 2020, and March 19, 2021.
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In the last three months, the daily number of COVID-19 positive cases, hospitalizations,
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23 and deaths have significantly decreased in the Western District of Washington. State records
24 show that a significant majority of adults in this district have now been fully vaccinated against
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the novel Coronavirus. All available research indicates that widely available vaccines provide
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significant protection against this disease. The Governor of the State of Washington has stated
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that the State will “reopen” after June 30, 2021.
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Given all of this, the Court ORDERS that the procedures of General Order 18-20 will no
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2 longer be continued. All civil, criminal, and bankruptcy in-person hearings and trials may
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Serious health risks remain for unvaccinated individuals. The Court is particularly
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concerned by the rising numbers of “Delta variant” cases of the novel Coronavirus, which
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research shows to be more contagious. This variant has been cited as a reason for lockdowns and
8 renewed masking requirements in Los Angeles County and other locations. To protect
9 unvaccinated individuals and to avoid contributing to the spread of the virus, the Court will
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continue to implement certain health and safety procedures.
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All individuals are encouraged to wear a face mask in the public and common areas of
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13 the courthouses.
14 Face masks will no longer be required for fully vaccinated individuals. Fully vaccinated
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individuals are those who have completed the course of their vaccination as set forth by the CDC.
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The Court will not ask for proof of vaccination. Such individuals may choose to continue to wear
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a mask based on preference or health concerns, but may be asked by the judge to remove their
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19 mask in the courtroom if they are participating in court proceedings.
20 All individuals who have not been fully vaccinated for whatever reason must continue to
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wear masks covering their nose and mouth and observe social distancing in the courthouses and
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courtrooms except as authorized by individual judges in courtroom proceedings. Children under
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the age of two are not required to wear face masks. Individuals who cannot wear a face mask for
25 health reasons may wear a face shield.
26 COVID-19 Conditions of Entry signs will be posted at the entrances to the Seattle and
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Tacoma Courthouses. Most individuals who review the information will understand when it is
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wise, from a public health standpoint, to voluntarily not enter the building. However, Court
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2 Security Officers are authorized to ask if an individual has read the Conditions of Entry sign, and
3 to deny entry to persons who confirm that they are currently diagnosed with COVID-19 or have
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experienced COVID-19 symptoms in the last 10 days, and who therefore pose a significant risk
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of spreading the Coronavirus to the public.
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Individual judges may continue trial based on unique health considerations raised in those
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9 Civil bench and jury trials may be conducted remotely over Zoom.gov if good cause is
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established for such a procedure on a case-by-case basis, at the discretion of individual judges.
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In order to limit the physical exchange of documents, signatures on documents in civil
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13 and criminal proceedings conducted remotely will not be required. Instead, the Court will make
14 a record that the document has been reviewed and authorized by the signatory and is fully
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binding. Such documents include, but are not limited to:
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a. Financial affidavits (28 U.S.C. 1746);
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b. CJA Appointments;
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19 c. Consents to proceed before a magistrate judge;
20 d. Waiver of in-person hearings in criminal matters;
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e. Appearance bonds/Orders of release;
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f. Plea agreements;
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g. Jury verdicts; and
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Local Civil Rule 32 continues to include among the definitions of “Unavailable Witness”
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2 in FRCP 32(4)(C) the following: “concern about personal health risks from exposure to the
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The Court will revisit these procedures prior to October 1, 2021.
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DATED this 30th day of June, 2021.
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A
RICARDO S. MARTINEZ
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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