Administrative Order No. 2021-09

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 Through June 30, 2021

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 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. These restrictions 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 both dated March 

16, 2020, and will remain in place as a temporary measure 

through June 30, 2021, unless modified by subsequent 

order.

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 May 24, 2021, 

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: Jarrett B. Perlow May 22, 2021
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. 

(3) All others 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 access must 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. Fully vaccinated individuals may forego 

wearing masks and physical distancing. 

(Individuals are considered “fully vaccinated”

for COVID-19 two weeks after receiving their 

second dose in a two-dose series vaccine or 

two weeks after receiving a single dose 

vaccine.)

b. 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. 

c. Unvaccinated individuals must continue to 

wear masks and observe physical distancing 

in accordance with CDC guidance.
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 3

d. Mask wearing and physical distancing is 

optional for individuals who are fully

vaccinated.

e. 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 

May 24, 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) and continue through

June 30, 2021, or until this Order is either amended 

or rescinded. 

(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

May 22, 2021 /s/ Kimberly A. Moore

 Date Kimberly A. Moore

 Chief Judge

United States Court of

Appeals for the 

Federal Circuit

May 22, 2021 /s/ Elaine D. Kaplan

 Date Elaine D. Kaplan 

 Chief Judge

United States Court of 

Federal Claims