Cleaning and ventilation
Trial Court cleaning protocols comply with CDC Guidelines for Cleaning and Disinfection for Community Facilities. All cleaning chemicals and disinfectants used at the Trial Court are compliant with OSHA, DPH, and CDC requirements/guidelines.
All court facilities use the same protocols for health and safety based upon CDC and DPH guidelines, whether or not they are located in a courthouse. The Regional Facilities Managers have provided the Trial Court standards and expectations to the county and private landlords of court office space.
- Courthouses are cleaned every day. This means that trash and recycling are emptied daily, and high touch areas as defined by the CDC are cleaned and disinfected daily.
- Restrooms are cleaned and disinfected daily. High traffic restrooms are monitored during the day for supplies and additional cleaning needs.
- Other tasks such as vacuuming, dusting, and floor maintenance are performed weekly, or more often if needed.
- Public hand sanitizer dispensers are provided throughout court buildings.
- Courts have assessed current building ventilation and implemented local improvements to allow airflow. See Courthouse HVAC System Evaluations for more information.
- Courts have centralized no-touch trash and recycling bins.
The protocols are implemented in the same way and manner in older buildings. The occupancy limits developed take into account the limitations presented by a particular building.
Employees or court users testing positive
If someone tests positive (an employee or court user), a close contact analysis will be undertaken and a determination on whether to close the court will be made. If closed, the courthouse or office will rest for 24 hours, then be disinfected with cleaning supplies as recommended by the CDC and our consultant and then reopen.
Additional Resources
Use of barriers
- Plexiglas sneeze guards have been placed at Court Officer screening areas, Clerk's Offices and Probation Office counters.
- Courts have created a 6 foot separation within employee workspaces. Where this was not achievable, Plexiglas or modular barriers have been installed to separate close working spaces for employee protection to allow social distancing, as recommended by the CDC and DPH, or staffing modifications have been made to limit the number of people working within an area.
- Hearings in courtrooms may require a standard established by the presiding judge for that particular courtroom, but 6 foot distancing must still be maintained or a clear barrier must be installed.
| Date published: | July 28, 2020 |
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