Orange County Superior Court Second Amended Administrative Order No. 20/17 Required Safety Measures for COVID-19 Exposure

The World Health Organization, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the State of California, and the County of Orange have recognized that the world, country, state, and county face a life-threatening pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus. While many individuals in our community have been immunized or previously infected with the COVID-19 virus, transmission levels have lowered, and effective vaccines and treatment options are available to reduce the severity of disease. To protect our court users and court personnel, it is important to continue to control the spread of COVID-19 in our workplaces and community.

Pursuant to my authority to control matters before the Court (Code Civ. Proc., § 128; Gov. Code, § 68070), my authority as the Presiding Judge (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 10.603), the inherent powers of the Court (In re Reno (2012) 565 Cal.4th 428, 522), and in compliance with recently issued COVID-19 related guidance and orders by the Orange County Health Care Agency and the California Department of Public Health, I hereby order as follows:

Effective immediately, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the health and safety of court personnel and court users, all persons who have recently tested positive for or are exhibiting the symptoms of COVID-19 should not enter the courthouse. Symptoms may include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle/body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea/vomiting, and diarrhea. Individuals (with the exception of court staff who must follow the current Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Non-Emergency Regulations) should adhere to the orders and strong recommendations detailed in the March 24, 2023 order issued by the County of Orange Health Officer.

Following the implementation of this order, if a more specific order is issued by the County of Orange Health Officer for any county resident or visitor, the more recent order shall be followed. It is the intent of this order that Court visitors are to follow the County health order that is in effect at the time of their visit. The most current County of Orange Health Officer order can be found here.

This order supersedes First Amended Administrative Order No. 20/17, issued on April 8, 2022. This order is effective immediately and will remain in effect until amended or repealed.

IT IS SO ORDERED this 14th day of April 2023, at Santa Ana, California.

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