4th Standing Order

Supreme Judicial Court fourth-order regarding public access to state courthouses & court facilities

These changes will be effective starting on July 12, 2021 

This Order applies to all persons seeking entry to a Massachusetts state courthouse or other state court facility, including a probation office

Vaccinations

A person is considered fully vaccinated:

  • 2 weeks after receiving the second dose of a 2-dose COVID-19 vaccine (such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines); or

  • 2 weeks after receiving a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine (such as Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine).

Fully vaccinated persons shall not enter a courthouse if they:

  • Tested positive for COVID-19 within the previous 10 days;

  • Are awaiting COVID-19 test results after experiencing symptoms of COVID-19; 

  • Have been directed to isolate or quarantine;

  • Currently have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 such as a fever, chills, sore throat, or new symptoms of a severe cough, shortness of breath, severe muscle pain, headache, loss of taste or smell, extreme fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting.

Persons not fully vaccinated shall not enter a courthouse if they:

  • Tested positive for COVID-19 within the previous 10 days;

  • Are awaiting COVID-19 test results after experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or after having close contact (as defined by the CDC) with someone who has COVID-19;  

  • Have been directed to isolate or quarantine;

  • Within the previous 14 days have had symptoms consistent with COVID-19 such as a fever, chills, sore throat, or new symptoms of a severe cough, shortness of breath, severe muscle pain, headache, loss of taste or smell, extreme fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting;

  • Have traveled internationally within the previous 14 days; 

  • Within the previous 14 days, have had close contact (as defined by the CDC) with someone who has COVID-19.  

Screening

All persons seeking entry to a courthouse, even if fully vaccinated, must comply with any required screening procedures and directions.  

Masks

Until further notice, all persons, even if fully vaccinated, must wear a mask covering their nose and mouth while inside a courthouse.  

  • Visitors should come to the courthouse with their own masks. However, the courts will endeavor to have masks available if someone does not have one. 

  • Anyone who fails to wear a mask as required, after receiving a verbal warning will be required to leave the courthouse immediately or will be subject to a sanction from the presiding judge or clerk-magistrate.

Capacity/physical distancing

COVID-19-related capacity and physical distancing restrictions are no longer required

What to do if entry is prohibited

If a person has a scheduled appearance or appointment at a courthouse and is denied entry they should proceed as follows:

  • If the person is represented by an attorney, they should immediately contact their attorney.

  • If the person has no attorney, they should immediately call and notify the clerk's office for the court they are scheduled to appear in.

  • If the person is an attorney and is scheduled to appear before a judge, they should contact the clerk’s office or, if practicable, request that session directly by telephone.

  • If the person is scheduled to meet with a probation officer, they should immediately contact the probation officer or the probation office directly by telephone.

  • If the person is a juror sitting on an ongoing trial or grand jury or appearing for empanelment, they should call the telephone number provided at the time they were seated on the jury or summoned for empanelment.

  • If the person is a potential juror appearing for the first day of jury service, they should contact the Office of Jury Commissioner at (800) 843-5879 or (617) 338-6409.