EAST ST. LOUIS - Chief District Judge Nancy Rosenstengel adopted a re-opening order on Friday detailing access plans to courthouses in East St. Louis and Benton through Aug. 1.
The COVID-19 related order, which can be found in its entirety here, requires anyone seeking entry to either courthouse to wear a face covering or mask in public areas of the courthouse - lobbies, elevator banks, restrooms, corridors, and unless excused by a presiding judge, courtrooms. It requires six foot distancing.
Also, all employees of the district court - except those directed otherwise by supervisors - are required to telework until July 5.
Other than litigants, those with official duties related to a court proceeding, investigators, court interpreters and contract court reporters, credentialed press and those otherwise authorized to enter on official business, courthouses also are closed to the public through July 5.
People who have had symptoms of cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing within the las 14 days may not enter courthouses. If a person has had at least two of these symptoms within two weeks: fever, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, they may not enter.
Persons who have been diagnosed with or have had contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last 14 days, and persons who have been asked to self-quarantine by any doctor, hospital or health agency within the last 14 days may not enter courthouses.