AMENDED ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 20/17 REQUIRED SAFETY MEASURES FOR COVID-19 EXPOSURE

On February 26, 2020, the County of Orange Health Officer declared a Local Health Emergency based on the threat to public health by COVID-19 in Orange County.

On March 4, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency to exist in California as a result of the threat of COVID-19.

On March 10, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic. Since then, the President of the United States, the Centers for Disease Control, the California Department of Public Health, and the County of Orange Health Officer have issued guidance, directives, and orders to address the impacts of the COVI D-19 pandemic.

On January 14, 2022, the County of Orange Health Officer issued revised Orders and Strong Recommendation in light of recent guidance and orders by State Public Health Officer and the California Department of Public Health.

As of February 18, 2022, Orange County has had 53 5,175 cumulative cases of COVID-19 and 6,450 deaths from COVID-19.

Pursuant to my authority to control matters before the Court (Code Civ. Proc., § 128; Gov. Code, § 68070); my authority as the Presiding Judge (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 10. 603); the inherent powers of the Court (In re Reno (2012) 565 Cal.4th 428, 522); and in compliance with state and local guidelines, orders, and ordinances, I therefore order as follows:

Effective immediately, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the health and safety of court personnel and court users, all persons (with the exception of court staff who must follow the Cal/OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard) physically entering a n y courthouse or court facility in Orange County is subject to the following restrictions:

1. Self-Isolation of Persons with COVID-19 - Anyone who has been diagnosed with or likely to have COVID-19 is prohibited from entering the Court, and shall instead be required to strictly adhere to the isolation and testing requirements detailed in the January 14, 2022 order issued by the County of Orange Health Officer;
   1. A person is considered to be diagnosed with or likely to have COVID-19, if the person has:
      1. Received a positive COVID-19 PCR or rapid antigen laboratory test result; and/or
      2. Signs and symptoms that are consistent with COVID-19.
   2. Persons who test positive for COVI D-19 or display symptoms (irrespective of vaccination status) that are consistent with COVI D-19 shall not enter a courthouse for at least five days (from start of symptoms if symptomatic or test date if asymptomatic). Entry is allowed if an individual tests negative on or after day five, provided symptoms are improving and no fever is present without the use of fever reducing medication. However, if an individual is unable to test or chooses not to test, the individual should not enter the courthouse through day ten. The individual should always wear a well-fitting mask through at least day ten.
2. Self-Quarantine of Persons Exposed to COVID-19
   1. Not up to date individuals - Individuals who do not have symptoms and are not up to date with COVID-19 vaccination and know they have had close contact exposure to a COVID-19 individual shall not enter the courthouse for at least five days after their most recent exposure. Individuals may enter the courthouse after day five if they have not developed any symptoms and they test negative on or after day five. If an individual is unable to test or chooses not to test, they shall not enter the courthouse for 10 days after the most recent exposure to COVID-19. The individual should continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others through at least day ten after their most recent exposure.
   2. Asymptomatic up-to-date individuals - Individuals who are up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations prior to their close contact to a COVID-19 positive individual and have not developed any symptoms since their exposure are not required to quarantine. These individuals should test on day five from the date of exposure and continue to always wear a well-fitting mask around other people through at least day ten.
   3. Asymptomatic individuals previously infected - Persons who have close contact exposure to COVID-19 and have tested positive for COVID-19 before their new, recent exposure and it's been less than three months since they started having symptoms from that previous infection (or test date if asymptomatic) do not have to quarantine as long as they have not had any new symptoms since their recent exposure.
3. Definitions
   1. Symptoms -Whenever the term "symptom" is used, it shall mean COVID-19 symptoms. These symptoms may include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle/body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea/vomiting, and diarrhea.
   2. Up to date with COVID-19 vaccination - Persons 12 years and older are considered up to date with their COVI D-19 vaccination if they have completed a primary series of COVI D-19 vaccine and have either received a booster shot or are not yet recommended to receive a booster dose according to current CDC guidance. Boosters are recommended at least five months after last dose for Pfizer and Moderna vaccinations and at least two months after the first dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Those less than 12 years of age are considered up to date with their COVID- 19 vaccinations if they have completed their primary series according to CDC guidance.
   3. Not up to date with COVID-19 vaccination -All persons who do not meet the criteria under up to date with COVID-19 vaccination, as defined above, are considered not up to date with their COVI D-19 vaccination.
   4. Exposed to COVID-19 or close contact exposure to COVID-19-These terms mean to be within six feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24- hour period.

If a more specific seIf-isolation and self-quarantine order is issued by the County of Orange Health Officer for any county resident or visitor, that order shall be followed instead of the current order.

This Order supersedes Administrative Order No. 20/17 issued on May 26, 2020. This Order is effective immediately and will remain in effect until 90 days after the Governor declares that the State of Emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic is lifted, or until amended or repealed.

IT IS SO ORDERED this 8^th day of March 2022, at Santa Ana, California

Read the official administrative order.