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Lake County Superior Court updates rules for face masks, physical distancing
On Thursday, the Cal/OSHA Board voted to modify the current emergency temporary standards to allow fully vaccinated employees to go without a face covering in the workplace. Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order to make the modified emergency temporary standards effective immediately, as Lake County News has reported.
On June 9, the California Department of Public Health released similar guidance for members of the public, which, in part, require unvaccinated persons to wear a face covering for indoor public events.
In accordance with the current public health directives, the Lake County Superior Court presiding judge’s general order on the requirement of wearing face coverings and maintaining physical distancing, dated June 4, 2020, will be modified, officials reported.
Effective June 21, the revised general order will eliminate the physical distancing requirements for the public and will end the face covering requirements for fully vaccinated individuals.
As a result, beginning Monday, June 21, those persons who are fully vaccinated will no longer be required to wear a face covering when attending court proceedings or to conduct business with the court.
The order will continue to require that all individuals who are not fully vaccinated continue to properly wear an appropriate face covering at all times while physically present at the court unless determined to be subject to an exemption under the public health directives.
Effective June 21, and continuing until further order, the court will implement compliance verification of vaccine status by permitting vaccinated persons to self-attest that they are fully vaccinated upon entry into the court.
In addition, the physical presence of a person while at the court and not wearing a face covering will be considered to self-attest that the person is fully vaccinated.
A violation of the order requiring face covering for unvaccinated persons may result in a person to be unable to physically enter the court facility and to potential sanctions.
The order will apply to persons appearing for jury service (and to trial jurors) and will require unvaccinated persons to wear a proper face covering at all times physically present at court including jury selection.
As a result of the Cal/OSHA emergency temporary standards, the court will implement a compliance verification process whereby the court will verify and document vaccination status of prospective jurors at the time of reporting for jury service.
Pending further order, the court will continue to conduct jury selection at the fairgrounds facility and will continue to implement physical distancing for juror seating.
In accordance with the Cal/OSHA emergency temporary standards, the employees and staff of the court who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to wear a proper face covering while present at the court.
The court said anyone may choose to wear a face covering while attending court. The fact that an individual is wearing a face covering should not be interpreted to conclude that the individual is unvaccinated.
The court will undertake appropriate action, including contempt, against abusive, harassing or other inappropriate behavior toward employees, parties, attorneys or others, while present at the court, related to the wearing of face coverings, as an interference with the process of the court.
As set forth in the public notice of June 11, in many instances, the court continues to permit appearance and participation in court by video-conference and telephone in lieu of in-person attendance. The option is available to the public regardless of vaccination status.
For updates from the court visit www.lake.courts.ca.gov.