COVID-19 Screening Protocol Implemented at Court and County Facilities

 

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TO GAIN ENTRY TO THIS FACILITY YOU MUST:

1.  Answer accurately and honestly the COVID-19 questionnaire

2.  Pass normal security screening procedures

3.  Submit to a temporal thermometer check administered by sheriff’s office staff

4.  Agree to wear a mask (or approved alternative) at all times and in the appropriate manner, and adhere to CDC recommended guidelines for physical distancing.

All public must answer the following questions which are based on the CDC’s COVID-19 screening tool. All responses should be “yes” or “no”:

1. Have you experienced any of the following symptoms in the past 48 hours: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea?

2. Within the past 14 days, have you been in close physical contact (6 feet or closer for at least 15 minutes) with a person who is known to have laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 or with anyone who has any symptoms consistent with COVID-19?

3. Are you isolating or quarantining because you may have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 or are worried that you may be sick with COVID-19?

4. Are you currently waiting on the results of a COVID-19 test?

5. Have you traveled outside the United States or have you traveled by commercial airline, bus or train within the last 14 days?

If you answer “yes” to any of the above questions, you will be denied entry Franklin County facilities, we will get key information, and you will be provided further instructions in the near future from a member of the agency you were attempting to visit.

If you decline answer this screening questionnaire verbally, you will be provided the option of completing a paper version. If you decline to screen using either option, or if you refuse to comply with any other conditions of entry, you will be denied entry to Franklin County facilities.

NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 20, 2020

39th JUDICIAL DISTRICT – FRANKLIN COUNTY

President Judge Shawn D. Meyers

 

COVID-19 SCREENING PROTOCOLS IMPLEMENTED AT COURT AND COUNTY FACILITIES

 

Effective November 20, 2020, all persons entering a judicial facility at a public or manned security entrance will be subject to Covid-19 virus screening protocols.  At entrances manned by Sheriff’s security staff all persons will be subject to a temperature check.  Any individual who fails to comply with the protocols or temperature check will be denied entry. Any person who answers affirmatively to any question of the questionnaire or has a temperature that equals or exceeds 100.4°will be denied entry. Any person denied entry will be given information on the office or agency they need to contact for further directions regarding insuring their case is continued and when it will be rescheduled.  The protocol  for Franklin County is attached to this press release.

As President Judge, I am requesting that all bar members take an active and engaged role in helping keep the areas you work in free from infection.  Please use the screening tool in advance of court appearances to make sure you and your clients and witnesses will be able to pass the screening upon arrival at any court facility, regardless of whether it is manned or unmanned.  If you have reason to request a continuance make it in advance of the hearing.   When possible, meet your clients outside the courthouse and determine if they will or will not pass the screening protocol.  Discourage non-essential persons from attending proceedings.  If you believe that your matter can be properly presented to the court via videoconferencing or teleconference, reach out to the judge’s chambers in advance to request a status conference with the judge to see if the judge will agree to proceed without an in person appearance.

We are all in this together. The FCBA membership has a long history of cooperatively working with the Board of Judges and Court Administration to accomplish many important initiatives.  Now more than ever, we need your assistance to insure the safety of each and every person that occupies a court facility, be it a row office, Magisterial District Judge’s office, or courtroom.  I especially want to thank the members of the FCBA Covid-19 Ad Hoc Committee for the exchange of information we have shared throughout the pandemic. 

For up-to-date information, visit:

            CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

            Department of Health: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx

For more information, please contact Mark Singer, District Court Administrator for the 39th Judicial District, at msinger@franklincountypa.gov or 717-261-3848.