Based on developments related to the rising number of COVID-19 cases, and based on guidance from the CDC, California Department Public Health, Cal/OSHA, and the Orange County Health Care Agency, pursuant to my authority to control matters before the Court (Code Civ. Proc., § 128; Gov. Code, § 68070); my authority as the Acting Presiding Judge (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 10.603); the inherent powers of the Court (In re Reno (2012) 565 Cal.4^th 428, 522); and in compliance with federal, state, and local guidelines and ordinances, I therefore order as follows:

Effective July 14, 2021, in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the health of all court personnel and court users, all persons entering the Harbor Justice Center are subject to the following restrictions:

• All persons entering the Harbor Justice Center, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a face mask at all times in the public areas of the Harbor Justice Center, including courtrooms, as well as, in any shared non-public areas of the courthouse. This Order applies to court employees, law enforcement officers, attorneys, parties, witnesses, members of the public, jurors, and vendors.
• Judicial officers must also wear face masks while on the bench, and at all times when interacting with other individuals in the Harbor Justice Center, including Court employees.
• Face masks required under this Order means a surgical mask, a medical procedure mask, or a tightly woven fabric or non-woven material of at least two layers. A face mask shall have no visible holes or openings and must cover both the nose and mouth. A face mask does not include a scarf, ski mask, balaclava, bandana, turtleneck, collar, or single layer of fabric.
• Individuals who are not wearing a face mask will be denied entry to the building. Individuals who remove their masks after entering the building will be reminded to wear them. If they refuse, they may be denied services, and they will be asked to leave the court building immediately. Persons who refuse to leave voluntarily will be escorted from the building by court security personnel.
• Children under the age of three years old are exempt from this Order.
• Members of the public with physical or mental impairments or disabilities who seek an exemption from this Order as a reasonable accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act or California Rules of Court, rule 1.100, must contact the Court’s ADA site coordinator at http://www.occourts.org/general-info/ or at ADAInformation@occourts.org. Employees with physical or mental impairments or disabilities with disabilities who seek an exemption from this Order as a reasonable accommodation must contact Human Resources.

This Order supersedes any other order addressing face masks in the Harbor Justice Center. This Order amends and extends the expiration of the original Order that commenced on JULY 14, 2021. This Order will remain in effect through August 4, 2021, or until amended or repealed.

IT IS SO ORDERED this 28th day of July 2021, in Orange County, California.

Read the official administrative order.