The city magistrates’ courts have put precautionary measures in place to protect against the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Following a meeting of senior court officials on March 12 last concerning the way forward for the courts in relation to the global pandemic, one of the precautionary measures taken is that all courts and their environs be fumigated and sanitised. This exercise commenced last Friday at the Court of Appeal, the High Court in Demerara and the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The weekend was chosen, according to a notice at the courts, in order to cause “minimal disruption to court services.”
In addition to this, persons are now required to sanitise their hands upon entering the compound and once more before entering a courtroom; family members of complainants or defendants are not being allowed to enter the courtroom unless they are directly involved with the matter; relatives who are allowed in, as well as the members of the media, are asked to sit in a more sporadic manner, so as to avoid crowding a particular space.
The notice also said that a response team has been organised to deal with the “preparedness, response and interaction with public health agencies.” This team is expected to liaise with these officials and report to the Chancellor of the Judiciary.
The Chancellor, through the notice, also noted that a “constant review and assessment of the situation” will be done as often as possible and updates will be provided to the courts and the members of the public.
The precautionary measures are expected to be in place for a 14-day period.
