IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
IN RE: REVISED COURT : STANDING ORDER 2021-12

AND NOW, this 4th day of August 2021, it is hereby ORDERED that the findings and directives of Standing Order 2020-10 are hereby RESCINDED. The Court continues to review its operations to identify measures that will help protect court employees and the public from the COVID-19 virus, while at the same time preserving its core mission of serving the public through the fair and impartial administration of justice.
The Court’s ongoing review of its operations includes the monitoring of guidance emanating from various authoritative sources relative to the administration of the federal courts. Integral to that analysis is the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, which strongly encourages all court units to follow the revised Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, issued on July 27, 2021. This most recent guidance has advised all people, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high community transmission to further reduce the spread of the virus. The CDC continues to recommend that those who are not fully vaccinated take
precautions to protect themselves and others from COVID-19, including wearing a mask in indoor public places and maintaining six feet of physical distance from others. The CDC also recommends that fully vaccinated people who are immunocompromised continue to take precautions until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider.
Since the CDC issued its revised guidance, the Court has determined through the CDC COVID DATA TRACKER that the level of community transmission in Dauphin and Luzerne Counties (counties in which two of the four Middle District Courthouses are located) is in the substantial category.
IT IS HERBY ORDERED, effective immediately and until further Order of the Court, that:
1. This Order supersedes Standing Order 2021-10 entered on June 11, 2021.
2. All persons, regardless of vaccination status, entering the Ronald Reagan Federal Building & United States Courthouse in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, and the Max Rosenn United States Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, must at all times wear a mask or face covering that covers the wearer’s nose and mouth when entering the building and when in common or public spaces, including but not limited to courtrooms, hallways, bathrooms,
Clerks Office public counter/intake area, Probation Office reception, elevators and stairwells.
3. Persons who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are required to maintain six feet of physical distance from each other at all times when entering these federal buildings and courthouses in common or public spaces, including but not limited to courtrooms, hallways, bathrooms, Clerks Office public counter/intake area, Probation Office reception, elevators, and stairwells.
4. This Standing Order shall be enforceable by the United States Marshals Service and the Court Security Officers.
BY THE COURT:
s/ Matthew W. Brann
Matthew W. Brann
Chief United States District Judge