Mniteb ^tatesi Court of

for tlje Jf eberal Circuit

ORDER

Restricting Public Access to the

National Courts Building

Based on declared public health emergencies

impacting Washington, D.C. and the National Capital

Region and ongoing efforts to mitigate community

transmission and the impact of COVID-19, there is an

immediate need for the United States Court of Appeals for

the Federal Circuit to restrict public access to the Howard

T. Markey National Courts Building. These restrictions

will be in place as a temporary measure in response to the

COVID-19 pandemic and to minimize the risk to the health

and safety of both court staff and the public conducting

business with the court.

On behalf of the court and in consultation with the

Chief Judge for the United States Court of Federal Claims,

I find pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2071(e) that there is an

immediate need for this Order altering the rules of this

court, effective March 16, 2020, noon (Eastern).

It Is Ordered That:

(1) There will be no public access to the Howard T.

Markey National Courts Building and connecting

buildings ("National Courts Building") except on

days in which a court hearing is scheduled. On

those days, public access will only be permitted for

(a) counsel and parties with a scheduled in-person

hearing and (b) members of the press who present

media credentials. Moreover, public access wiU be

limited to the lobby, the courtroom of the scheduled

hearing, the surrounding public corridors, the

Clerk's Office public reception area, and the

attorney lounge areas.

Operating Status No. 20-03
Administrative Order

(2) All other areas of the National Courts Building,

including the library, will be restricted to court

staff and pre-authorized members of the public

necessary to conduct, continue, and support

essential functions within the courthouse.

(3) Individuals, including pro se litigants and couriers,

seeking to deliver or to file case documents may not

enter the National Courts Building and must

submit these items either through the U.S. Postal

Service or by deposit in the court's night box

located at the garage entrance on H Street NW,

between 15th Street and Madison Place.

(4) All deliveries from the U.S. Postal Service and

third-party commercial carriers will be left in the

designated area of the lobby. Any other deliveries

must be coordinated ahead of time with

appropriate court staff.

(5) Audio recordings of court hearings, including those

conducted telephonically, will be made available

on the court's website after the conclusion of each

argued case.

(6) The Clerk's Office will continue to provide public

assistance by telephone and by email.

(7) Individuals who have been diagnosed with the

COVID-19 virus, who have had known contact

with a person with the COVID-19 virus, who have

been asked to self-quarantine, or who are

experiencing flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever,

shortness of breath, or cough) are directed not to

enter the courthouse.

(8) Nothing in this order restricts the access of any

General Services Administration personnel, law

enforcement and security officers, or their

contractors from entering or conducting business

in the courthouse as needed to protect and to

maintain the operation and security of the

National Courts Building and its occupants.

(9) Nothing in this Order alters or extends any

deadlines in any case.
Administrative Order

(10) These restrictions will remain in effect beginning

March 16, 2020, at noon (Eastern) and continue

until this Order is either amended or rescinded.

(11) The Circuit Executive and Clerk of Court is

directed to provide public notice of this Order and

to take any necessary and proper actions to

implement these restrictions.

For t-he Cou

Date Sharon Frost

Chief Judge