(a) Should the CDC or MDH protocols require a return to restricted emergency operations during the COVID-19 emergency, a progressive, phased return to full operations by the courts in the Maryland Judiciary, court offices, administrative offices, units of the Judiciary, the Offices of the Clerks of the Circuit Courts, and the clerks’ offices of the District Court shall be the policy of the Maryland Judiciary, consistent with the measures taken since Maand NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mary Ellen Barbera, Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals and administrative head of the Judicial Branch, pursuant to the authority conferred by Article IV, § 18 of the Maryland Constitution, do hereby order this 2nd day of February 2021, as follows: WHEREAS, The surge in COVID-19 infection rates throughout Maryland has required an extension of Phase II operations consistent with the health conditions and concomitant risk to individuals visiting a court or judicial facility and to judicial personnel, WHEREAS, The Amended Administrative Order on the Progressive Resumption of Full Function of Judiciary Operations Previously Restricted Due to the COVID-19 Emergency, filed June 3, 2020, provided for five phases of a progressive return to operations, and these phases shall be utilized should a change in the level of operations be necessary during the remainder of the COVID-19 emergency and WHEREAS, The COVID-19 emergency continues to require the Judiciary to reassess the current phase of operations in the phased approach, marking a retreat from full operational functions, while employing safety measures and monitoring local health conditions to continue to support the health and safety of Maryland residents and Judiciary personnel and WHEREAS, Remote proceedings have proved to be useful and effective in facilitating the courts’ performance of core functions during the COVID-19 emergency and will continue to be necessary and WHEREAS, The administration of justice necessarily has been affected by the pandemic and will continue to require the professionalism, courtesy, and cooperation of the members of the bench and the bar in navigating the changes to practices and procedures and WHEREAS, Due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, and consistent with guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), an emergency exists for which measures continue to be required to mitigate potential for exposure for individuals visiting a court or judicial facility and judicial personnel and
WHEREAS, The Court of Appeals has approved Chapter 1000 of Title 16 of the Maryland Rules of Practice and Procedure setting forth the emergency powers of the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals and WHEREAS, Pursuant to the Maryland Constitution, Article IV, § 18, the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals is granted authority as the administrative head of the Judicial Branch of the State and EIGHTH ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER RESTRICTING STATEWIDE JUDICIARY OPERATIONS
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