The Court has adopted an updated masking policy which continues to be Division-specific.

Beginning on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, masks will only be required in Courthouses and Court facilities if the relevant city (Alexandria, Richmond, Newport News, or Norfolk) is in the CDC’s “high” Community Level category.  Updated CDC data available on Thursday evening will dictate the policy for the following workweek.  

The controlling mask policy will be posted at the entry doors at each of our Courthouses and Court facilities.  For locations where masks are required, the following rule will be in place:

All individuals, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a well-fitting respirator (N-95, KN-95, etc.) or a surgical/procedure mask that covers their nose and mouth continuously in all indoor public areas unless it is medically unsafe for them to do so and they obtain permission from the Chief Judge or Senior Active Judge. 

For locations where masks are optional, judges may still require that masks be worn in their courtrooms and chambers.

Beginning on July 5, 2022, masks will be optional in all Divisions with the exception of the  Richmond Division.  Going forward, counsel may determine the local policy by relying on the posted entry notices or may use this link to check the CDC’s Community Levels for the city where the relevant Courthouse is located.