Administrative Order No. 2022-03

(Corrected Jan. 20, 2022)

United States Court of Appeals 

for the Federal Circuit —and—

United States Court of 

Federal Claims

O R D E R

Restricting Court Access to the National Courts

Building Until Further Notice

Based on guidance from public health authorities 

regarding conditions impacting Washington, D.C. and the 

National Capital Region and ongoing efforts to mitigate 

community transmission and the impact of COVID-19, 

there is a need for the United States Court of Appeals for 

the Federal Circuit and the United States Court of Federal 

Claims to restrict public access to the Howard T. Markey 

National Courts Building. The restrictions set forth below 

modify and supersede those outlined in the administrative 

orders of the United States Court of Appeals for the 

Federal Circuit and the United States Court of Federal 

Claims dated October 25, 2021, and will remain in place 

until further notice.

On behalf of both courts, we find pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 

§ 2071(e) that there is an immediate need for this Order 

altering the rules of both courts, effective January 19, 

2022, 12:01 a.m. (Eastern).

IT IS ORDERED THAT:

(1) Judges, special masters, law clerks, chambers staff, 

court staff, interns, General Services 

Administration personnel, and contractor 

personnel regularly performing work in the 

National Courts Building and connecting buildings 

CERTIFIED COPY

I HEREBY CERTIFY THIS DOCUMENT IS A 

TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE 

ORIGINAL ON FILE. 

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS 

FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT 

PETER R. MARKSTEINER, CLERK OF COURT By Deputy Clerk: Date: Patrick B. Chesnut January 20, 2022
2 ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER

(NCB), and law enforcement and security personnel 

and contractors assigned to the NCB will be 

admitted to the NCB upon the presentation of 

appropriate identifying credentials.

(2) Litigants, witnesses, and any other parties who will 

be physically present in the NCB because of their 

participation in a scheduled hearing that day will 

be admitted to the NCB upon the presentation of 

appropriate identifying credentials and are subject 

to any additional requirements or limitations issued 

by the respective court concerning the scheduled 

hearing.

(3) All others not participating in a scheduled hearing 

will be granted access to the NCB on a case-by-case 

basis by the Chief Judge of whichever court is 

appropriate under the circumstances, or her 

designee.

(4) Requests for non-hearing access should be 

submitted in writing, ideally via email, no later 

than 24 hours in advance, to the Circuit Executive 

and Clerk of Court of the United States Court of 

Appeals for the Federal Circuit or to the Clerk of 

Court of the United States Court of Federal Claims,

whichever court is appropriate under the 

circumstances. 

(5) The following rules apply to all individuals entering 

the NCB for any purpose:

a. All individuals, regardless of their 

vaccination status must wear masks in all 

public areas of the National Courts Building 

and connecting buildings. Only N-95, KN-95, 

or KF-94 masks are acceptable masks in the 

National Courts Building.

b. Fully vaccinated individuals may forego 

physical distancing requirements. 

Unvaccinated individuals must continue to 

observe physical distancing requirements. 

(Individuals are considered “fully vaccinated”

for COVID-19 two weeks after receiving their 

second dose in a two-dose series vaccine or 
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 3

two weeks after receiving a single dose 

vaccine.)

c. Maximum capacity in the elevators located in 

the public lobby will be limited to no more 

than four riders at a time. Maximum 

capacity in the private judges and staff 

elevators will be limited to no more than two 

riders at a time. 

d. All individuals must comply with any 

additional protocols, procedures, practices, or 

policies issued by the courts intended to 

minimize the possibility of viral 

transmission, as reflected in posted signs or 

placards and/or information posted on the 

courts’ public websites.

(6) These restrictions will remain in effect beginning 

January 19, 2022, at 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) and will 

continue until further notice. 

(7) The Circuit Executive and Clerk of Court of the 

United States Court of Appeals for the Federal 

Circuit, and the Clerk of Court for the United States 

Court of Federal Claims are directed to provide 

public notice of this Order and to take any necessary 

and proper actions to implement these restrictions.

FOR THE COURTS

 January 18, 2022 /s/ Kimberly A. Moore

 Date Kimberly A. Moore

 Chief Judge

United States Court of

Appeals for the 

Federal Circuit

 January 18, 2022 /s/ Elaine D. Kaplan

 Date Elaine D. Kaplan 

 Chief Judge

United States Court of 

Federal Claims