The COVID Project
The record
- Jurisdiction
- Florida (all State courts) · Florida
- Level
- Court
- Authority
- Art. V, s. 2(a), Fla. Const.; Rule 2.205
- Issued
- 2021-07-29 July 29, 2021
- Effective
- 2021-07-29
- End
- Amended Nov. 2021 (Amendment 2) and Jan. 2022 (Amendment 3); in force through Q3 2021 (read as 2021-09-30)
- In force
- July 29, 2021 to Sept. 30, 2021
- Quarters
- 2021 Q3
2020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3
- Limitation types
- Telework mandateFace-covering requirementCourts and public offices
- Addressees
- every Florida appellate and trial court
- Functions reached
- CT Q3 2021 court operations: remote proceedings mandatory where feasible; mask policies by courthouse; national PHE recited
- Collection
- Florida FL
Operative words
1. This amended administrative order updates the introductory paragraphs to delete references to certain declarations of emergencies in this state that have expired; reflect the latest status for the declaration of a national public health emergency and the latest change in health guidance by the CDC... [the Secretary of HHS renewed the national public health emergency] effective as of July 20, [2021]... the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revised its health guidance for vaccinated and unvaccinated persons on July 27, 2021... Each court must continue operating pursuant to its Phase 2 [plan or the protocols]... [courts] may not require the wearing of face masks or physical distancing [unless required by law];... (1) A face mask must be provided upon request... a. The wearing of face masks by all persons in a courthouse [may be adopted by policy]... [judges who can conduct proceedings by] electronic means in remote appellate or trial court proceedings must do so... communication equipment for the remote conduct of proceedings shall remain suspended [rules to the contrary]
Enforcement
Binding on all Florida courts
Notes
Records, in the Florida Supreme Court's own words, that the State emergency declarations 'have expired' by July 29, 2021, while the national public health emergency continued and the Delta-wave CDC guidance of July 27, 2021 governed court protocols.