20-28 3RD AMENDED, SUPERSEDES 20-28 2ND AMENDED IN RE: ADMINISTRATIVE RULES - COVID-19 REOPENING PROCEDURES - TRANSITIONING FROM PHASE 1 TO PHASE 2 - ORDERED 5/10/2020 BY LISA DAVIDSON
WHEREAS, reopening the courts of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit will be in conformity with AOSC 20-23 as periodically amended which will result in a greater number of persons using and occupying courthouses, and
WHEREAS, in order to implement the objectives of AOSC 20-23 as periodically amended and Executive Order 20-112 and all orders and phases anticipated to follow, the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Workgroup has established the protocols set forth herein:
WHEREAS, the Supreme Court has set forth the following benchmarks which the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit has met.
- No confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 in the court facility within a 14-day period; or if confirmed or suspected cases have occurred in the court facility, deep cleaning and disinfecting of exposed areas and applicable employee self-quarantine actions have been implemented.
- Rescission of local and state restrictive movement and/or stay-at-home orders.
- Improving COVID-19 health conditions over a 14-day period in the community, including conditions such as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and related deaths in relation to a community’s population density, downward trajectory of positive tests as a percent of total tests, size of particularly vulnerable populations, and availability of medical facilities including emergency and intensive care capacity.
- Adequate testing programs in place, increased availability of COVID-19 tests, and emerging antibody testing.
- Consultation with other building occupants (for multi-tenant courthouses or buildings) and with justice system partners (including, but not limited to clerk of court, state attorney, public defender, law enforcement, local bar, and others necessary to resume certain case types, such as the Department of Children and Families).
THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority of the Chief Judge under section 43.26, Florida Statutes, and Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.215, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED as follows:
Effective as of the date of this Order, the protocols set forth in the Revised Operational Plan attached hereto as Exhibit A shall be observed in all courthouses in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit.
This Administrative Order shall remain in effect until further notice or until superseded by further order of this Court or the Florida Supreme Court.
DONE AND ORDERED this 10th day of May 2021.