Courts adjust health protocols

MANILA, Philippines — New health protocols on court operations have been released following the nationwide lifting of the state of public health emergency due to COVID-19.

Under Memorandum Circular 271-2023, which was signed by Court Administrator Raul Villanueva, the wearing of face masks inside the Supreme Court premises and the halls of justice is now optional.

Judges, however, have the discretion to require the wearing of face masks inside their courts or halls of justice.

Under the new protocols, in-court or face-to-face hearings should be given utmost priority. The raffle of cases in multi-sala stations should also be in-person.

Only suspected and symptomatic COVID-19 people are now required to undergo antigen testing, which can be conducted in their homes or through clinics or hospitals.

Antigen testing may be required by the judges for visitors in their court or halls of justice on “justified medical grounds,” according to the circular.

Those who test positive on antigen tests done at home should undergo an RT-PCR test for validation. Should the result be confirmed positive, the infected person, if a judge or staff member, should isolate themselves for at least five days from the start of symptoms on sick leave, according to the circular.

They should also secure a fit to work certificate from a medical practitioner or a doctor.

Face-to-face seminars initiated by the Philippine Judicial Academy and the Supreme Court-Office of Administrative Services (OAS) will also continue to require antigen tests at their discretion.

“All judges and clerks of court must be vigilant and monitor the health condition of their staff and report any symptomatic or sick employees of COVID-19 to the OAS-Office of the Court Administrator,” the circular read.