Mask Off!
Mask Off! No, not the song by the musician, Future. The pandemic is easing and the Fairfax County Courthouse has lifted its mask policy. The Court follows CDC guidelines and General District Court Chief Judge Lisa Mayne issued an Order that no longer requires masks in the courthouse; however, inside the courtrooms the presiding judge has discretion.
Rather than paraphrasing, I’ve taken this directly from an announcement from the Fairfax Bar Association to avoid mistakes:
“Based on current declining COVID cases in Fairfax County, policy directives of the CDC, and guidance from the Fairfax County Health Department as well as the February 28, 2022 Order of the Chief Judge of the Fairfax County Circuit Court, the General District Court mask directive is amended as follows:
By order of the Chief Judge of the Nineteenth Judicial District, effective immediately, individuals entering General District Court facilities, including the public areas and employee corridors in the City of Fairfax, the Town of Vienna, and the Town of Herndon are no longer required to wear masks. Mask requirements in the courtrooms are at the discretion of the presiding judge. Social distancing as a mitigation measure continues to be required at this time by the DOmLI standards and therefore continues to be required in all areas of the General District Court.
The Court encourages all visitors to protect their health and the health of others and welcomes masks for anyone who chooses to wear one. Masks remain an effective way to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and other diseases, including colds and flu. We encourage all to be mindful of each other’s comfort levels as we emerge from the pandemic.”