Reiteration of Strict Observance with All Health and Safety Protocols Against COVID-19

April 25, 2022

OCA CIRCULAR NO. 93-2022

 

In the previous circulars issued by the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) on court operation guidelines for courts in areas under Alert Levels 1 and 2, pursuant to the authorities granted by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, constant reminders were made to strictly observe all the required health and safety protocols against COVID-19 as earlier prescribed by the Court and the OCA, as well as those mandated by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) and the Department of Health (DOH). HTcADC

On account of recent data from the DOH on the increasing number of COVID-19 cases and unfortunate new deaths in the past weeks, there is a need to reiterate the above-stated reminders and encourage all officials and personnel of the Judiciary to contribute in the effort of the government to prevent the spread of the said virus. Accordingly, and by way of reiteration, all Judges and personnel of the first and second level courts are ENJOINED to strictly observe all the health and safety protocols against COVID-19 prescribed by the Supreme Court and the OCA, such as those provided in OCA Circular No. 101-2020 dated 30 June 2020, 1 including those emanating from the IATF and DOH consistent with their earlier issuances and/or latest pronouncements.

For the information and faithful compliance of all concerned.

(SGD.) RAUL B. VILLANUEVACourt Administrator

Footnotes

1. Health Guidelines Due to COVID-19 Cases, wherein the following matters, among others, were stressed:

"xxx xxx xxx

"9. All judges and court personnel shall continue to observe safety protocols, including but not limited to, the following:

"a. No mask, no entry policy. Face masks shall be worn at all times while inside the hall of justice and courtrooms.

"b. Temperature check before entering the hall of justice. Those with temperature of 37.8 Degrees Celsius and above, or who exhibit symptoms, shall not be allowed entry.

"c. No scheduled hearing, no entry.

"d. Physical distancing of at least one (1) meter.

"e. Frequent washing of hands and disinfection of courtrooms and common areas.

"10. As an additional safety protocol, all visitors and court users shall register and provide their contact information upon entry in the hall of justice, for purposes of necessary contact tracing. Individual branches and offices within the hall of justice may also require the same registration upon entry to the said branches and offices."