Courts Eases Mask Mandate
The four divisions of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, along with the 8th District Court of Appeals, are easing the mask mandate that has been in place for COVID-19.
The decision was made jointly by the Administrative Judges for each division; Judge Brendan J. Sheehan of the General Division, Judge Leslie Ann Celebrezze of the Domestic Relations Court, Judge Thomas O’Malley of the Juvenile Court, Presiding Judge Anthony Russo of the Probate Court, and Administrative Judge Sean Gallagher of the 8th District Court of Appeals.
Under the Administrative Order signed on March 1, 2022, the Courts have implemented new mask requirements for all staff and public who enter Court facilities. This change was based on the February 25 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
A) When Cuyahoga County is at a “High” level, all staff and public must wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status.
B) When Cuyahoga County is at a “Medium” level, staff and public may choose, but are not required, to wear a mask if they are at a higher risk for severe illness or caring for someone who is at a higher risk for severe illness.
C) When Cuyahoga County is at a “Low” level, staff and public may choose, but are not required, to wear a mask based on personal preference.
D) Any person who has COVID-19 symptoms, has been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or who has tested positive for COVID-19 must wear a mask for 10 days following the date of exposure or positive COVID-19 test.
E) Any person who is unvaccinated is strongly encouraged to wear a mask at all times while in a Court facility.
“This is another step toward normalizing the day-to-day operations of the Court,” says Judge Sheehan, who is also the Presiding Judge of the four Common Pleas divisions. “We have always followed the CDC recommendations in order to keep our staff and public safe.”
The CDC County Check will be monitored on a weekly basis, and Cuyahoga County is currently at the “Medium” level. Based on any change to the community level in Cuyahoga County, the mask policy will be updated as necessary.