Thermal scanning, sanitation, forms: CJ Peralta sets guidelines for courts

Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta is not suspending work in the courts but has set guidelines for the conduct of business in first- and second-level courts as precautions against the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

In an administrative circular issued Thursday, Peralta said that all persons entering halls of justice will be subjected to no-contact thermal scanning. Those found to have fever, flu, colds, and cough will not be allowed to enter.

Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta issued Administrative Circular No. 26-2020 on 12 March 2020 addressed to All Concerned First and Second Level Court Judges and Personnel on the Rising Cases of COVID-19 Infection pic.twitter.com/6uOoccxdts

— Supreme Court Public Information Office (PIO) (@SCPh_PIO) March 12, 2020

Only persons with official business will be allowed entry to the courts, and they must fill up a declaration form asking for their travel history and whether or not they have exhibited symptoms of illness in the last 14 days.

Inmates who have court hearings will be allowed to enter but "must be immediately brought back to their respective detention facilities after their hearings," the circular states.

"Unessential meetings and gatherings must be reset," it adds.

Peralta has also required the constant sanitation of court premises and frequently touched fixtures such as door knobs, hand rails, and elevator buttons, the adequate and proper ventilation of courts, personnel's observance of proper personal and respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, and their prompt seeking of medical attention should they feel sick.

Those under quarantine will be covered by guidelines in Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular  No. 5, s. 2020 "for the availment of leave privileges for absences incurred in relation thereto." Executive and presiding judges are to monitor their personnel and workplaces and immediately report any COVID-19-related development to court administrators.

"Everyone must exercise caution and prudence in sharing, forwarding, or disseminating unverified or inaccurate news regarding the spread of the COVID-19 disease which only tend to cause unnecessary fear and panic," the circular states.

Peralta said judges may use their "extraordinary miscellaneous expense allowances" to buy no-contact thermal scanners and disinfectants for which they can be reimbursed.

The chief justice said his office is "closely monitoring" the COVID-19 situation and may issue further advisories when deemed fit.

The Philippines has reported 49 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday afternoon. Two of them have died.

COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the recently discovered SARS-COV-2, which belongs to a family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The disease can spread through small droplets from the nose or mouth when an infected person coughs or exhales, or when people touch objects or surfaces where the droplets landed then touch their eyes, nose or mouth, according to WHO. — BM, GMA News