The U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska will require the use of facemasks starting today.

Chief U.S. District Judge John M. Gerrard issued a general order last Wednesday requiring a face covering – which covers the nose and mouth – to be used in public spaces, including the courtrooms, hallways, elevators and stairwells, public restrooms, lobbies and reception areas. The order applies to court personnel, lawyers, parties, jurors and the public.

The court will provide face coverings to anyone without one, the order states. Medical exceptions may be authorized by the court, but accommodations may require an inquiry into their basis. 

Witnesses testifying in court proceedings and others authorized to be in a courtroom may be allowed by the preceding judge to remove their face covering.

In a separate order, Gerrard has barred entry into the courthouse – without permission from an official of the agency with which the person has business – for anyone who has an elevated risk of transmitting the coronavirus.

Those persons include:

• Anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 or exhibiting symptoms consistent with the disease, which include a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, a sudden onset of cough or shortness or breath, or a new loss of taste or smell.

• Anyone who had contact in the last 14 days with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19.

• Anyone who has traveled internationally within the last 14 days or lives with someone who has traveled internationally.

• Anyone who has been asked to self-quarantine by any health care provider or public official.

Court security officers will ask each person entering the courthouse if they reviewed those risk factors and whether they fall into any of those categories.