Mask-Wearing Requirements

Pursuant to General Order 21-08, individuals seeking entry to, or occupying, the United States Courthouses, including while in the courtroom for in-court proceedings, and Probation and Pretrial Services Offices in the Central District of California must follow the most recent guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding face coverings or masks.  Current CDC guidance provides that individuals in counties with a high COVID-19 community level, as defined by the CDC, should wear masks indoors in public.  If the COVID-19 community level is low or medium, CDC guidance provides that individuals may choose to mask based on personal preference or if they are at high risk for severe disease.  Based on data released by the CDC today, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and Ventura Counties have high COVID-19 community levels.

Accordingly, per General Order 21-08, given the current COVID-19 community levels and CDC guidance, the following mask policies should be followed in the respective Courthouses and Probation and Pretrial Services Offices: 

• Eastern Division (Riverside County): Everyone seeking entry to, or occupying, the Courthouse, including while in the courtroom for in-court proceedings, or Probation and Pretrial Services Office must wear a mask.
• Southern Division (Orange County): Everyone seeking entry to, or occupying, the Courthouse, including while in the courtroom for in-court proceedings, or Probation and Pretrial Services Office must wear a mask.
• Western Division (Los Angeles and Ventura Counties):  Everyone seeking entry to, or occupying, the Courthouse, including while in the courtroom for in-court proceedings, or Probation and Pretrial Services Office must wear a mask.

These mask policies are subject to change depending on the COVID-19 community level of the county where the courthouse is located or further order of the Court.

Kiry K. Gray
District Court Executive/Clerk of Court
July 21, 2022