Two-day shutdown of all courts from today

COURT buildings throughout the country have been shut down for two days owing to covid19 precautionary measures.

On Wednesday, the Judiciary announced the shutdown of all courts, except the Point Fortin district court, on Wednesday and Thursday.

It said vacating the buildings was a precautionary measure in keeping with covid19 safety protocols and was required to investigate the covid19 status of staff.

In a notice, the Judiciary gave e-mail addresses and telephone numbers for all locations.

It also announced activities at the Scarborough district court for Thursday had been suspended. They will resume on Friday, next Tuesday and next Thursday for limited in-person activities.

Within the last week, the Judiciary has issued notices of temporary suspension of in-person activities at various courthouses and restricted access to others.

Courts continued to work under pandemic practice directions, which were first issued in March last year, and have been amended on various occasions. The latest was issued on March 27, and allow for virtual court hearings and e-filings. They are intended to curtain non-essential visits to courthouses as part of the Judiciary’s covid19 policy. It has also banned jury trials.

Meanwhile, at least two state legal departments have also felt the effects of covid19, with at least one member of staff in each testing positive.

Newsday understands a staff member at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution in Port of Spain tested positive over the weekend. An administrative decision was taken was taken to close the Port of Spain and San Fernando offices for this week, since staff moved between offices during April 6 and 9,when the staff member became ill while at work.

Sources also said a senior staff member at the Chief State Solicitor’s department also tested positive this week.

Covid19 numbers continue to rise, with there being 630 active cases as of Wednesday afternoon. This led to the return of some public health restrictions, which saw beaches closed, and in-house dining banned at restaurants, bars and casinos. The measures came into effect at midnight on Wednesday.