Courts are reopening across the province. However, going to court will not be like it used to be.
In order to be allowed to enter the courthouse, lawyers and the public will need to complete a COVID-19 courthouse screening questionnaire.
The questionnaire is online and can be completed in advance. Choose the courthouse that you want to visit, and answer five simple questions about your health status. Get the answers right, and you’ll get a checkmark on your screen that you can show to courthouse security. If you didn’t take the test on your smartphone, you can print the results and take that to the courthouse. Get the answers wrong and you are told that you cannot enter the courthouse. The page tells you who you should contact.
The test and results are only good for one day. You have to take the test on the morning of your planned court attendance.
As there will be inevitable delays when entering a courthouse, extra time will be required.
Other changes include enhanced cleaning, hand sanitizer stations, barriers and physical distancing measures. In courtrooms, barriers are being installed in the courtroom where the judge sits, at the witness stand, court personnel work stations and counsel tables. Disinfectant wipes are available at counsel tables. Documents handed up to the judge are to be placed in a bin or on a trolley. Access to elevators is limited. Court counters are open for limited hours.
Read more about court reopening protocols here.
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