State Court Employees and Judges:
This broadcast message announces four important steps in the Judiciary’s transition to post-pandemic operations:
(1) As of August 2, 2021, all state court locations will fully reopen to the public.
(2) Also as of August 2, 2021, on-site presence of state court employees will increase from 50% to 75%.
(3) As of September 7, 2021, on-site presence of state court employees will increase from 75% to 100%.
(4) The Supreme Court has authorized in concept a plan for remote work for eligible state court employees in good standing, currently under development and expected to be available starting September 7, 2021.
State Court Locations Fully Open as of August 2, 2021
All state court locations will reopen to the public as of August 2, 2021, thus concluding the temporary restrictions on public access to the courthouses implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of that August 2, 2021 date, individuals may be present in court locations regardless of their involvement in a scheduled court proceeding and without the need for an appointment. Further guidance on masks and social distancing in Judiciary areas of court locations will be provided shortly.
Point-of-entry protocols at state court locations instituted during the COVID-19 public health emergency will conclude statewide as of August 2, 2021. Individual court locations may continue to require enhanced health and safety measures as applicable, including if required by the building owner.
Continued Increase in On-Site Staff Presence and In-Person Court Events
As of that same August 2, 2021 date, the Judiciary will resume 75% on-site staff presence in all state court locations. As of September 7, 2021, the Judiciary will increase to 100% on-site staff presence in all state court locations.
Scheduled in-person court events will continue to expand gradually, with the support of those additional on-site court personnel and consistent with any necessary social distancing considerations.
COVID-19 Precautionary and Responsive Measures
The Judiciary will continue to follow public health guidance to support a safe and healthy work environment.
We will continue to provide precautionary notifications to state court employees who are identified as having had close contact with a person in a court location who has tested positive for COVID-19 or who without other explanation developed symptoms of the virus.
Supreme Court Authorization in Concept for Remote Work for Eligible State Court Employees
The Supreme Court has authorized in concept a plan, currently under development, for remote work for eligible state court employees in good standing. We have engaged in preliminary discussions with management and will have additional conversations with represented staff before a plan is finalized. Further information is being developed and will be provided, with this remote work option expected to be available statewide as of September 7, 2021.
Chief Justice Stuart Rabner
Acting Administrative Director Glenn A. Grant