Courthouses Implement Enhanced COVID-19 Procedures. Temperature Checks And Masks Are Mandatory.

May 30, 2020

Enhanced COVID-19 screen procedures are being implemented for the county courthouses in both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

“During the unprecedented circumstances presented by the pandemic, the judges of the First Judicial Circuit have handled hundreds of cases through electronic means, and will continue to do so in many cases. Most face-to-face hearings remain limited at this time,” a statement from the First Judicial Circuit said. “For those cases which must be handled face-to-face, extraordinary measures have been taken to ensure the safety of the public, court staff, and other agency partners within our facilities. Processes will continue to evolve as circumstances warrant.”

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

To help ensure that no person infected with COVID-19 enters the court facilities, temperature scanning devices have been installed at the M.C. Blanchard Building and the Theodore Bruno Building. Effective Monday, June 1, any person attempting to enter either of these facilities will undergo a non-invasive temperature scan by walking through a defined area. The installed devices will automatically record the temperature of each individual. Any individual who registers a temperature of 100.4 or higher will be denied access to the building.

Individuals attempting to enter the courthouse should also expect to be asked a series of questions regarding potential symptoms or prior exposure to COVID-19. Refusal of the temperature screening or refusal to answer screening questions will result in denial of access to the building. At this time, courthouse access remains limited to those persons who are required for court proceedings, or those individuals with other official business within the courthouse facilities. Those entering the facilities will be required to wear a mask at all times while entering and while within the building.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY
In Santa Rosa County, persons attempting to enter the courthouse should also expect to undergo a non-invasive temperature check beginning on Monday, June 1. Screening questions regarding potential symptoms or prior exposure to COVID-19 will be asked upon entry.

Refusal of the temperature screening or to answer screening questions will result in denial of access to the building. Signage will be posted regarding the maintenance of proper social distancing, and those entering the courthouse will be required to wear a mask at all times while entering and while within the building. Plastic bins have been removed from the security checkpoint, and each person will be given a clear bag to place personal belongings in for screening. At this time, courthouse access remains limited to those persons who are required for court proceedings, or those individuals with other official business within the courthouse facilities.

Comments

2 Responses to “Courthouses Implement Enhanced COVID-19 Procedures. Temperature Checks And Masks Are Mandatory.”

  1. David Huie Green on May 31st, 2020 3:51 am

    REGARDING:
    “Most of the masks I have seen do not protect against a virus.”

    They are not supposed to protect against a virus so much as to keep the virus with the infected wearer. (Although they would be bound to catch some from others.)

    The expressed purpose of a mask is to trap water particles/droplets (saliva, mucus, snot) coming out of the wearer’s mouth or nose, with the viruses in the droplets stopped at the same time. It isn’t thought to be perfect but less likely for one who is infected from infecting others. People may be infected and never know it and still able to infect and possibly kill others.

    And if possible, just keep some distance between you and others makes infecting others less likely.

    David for better neighbors.

  2. Liza on May 30th, 2020 8:23 am

    Most of the mask I have seen do not protect against a virus.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News