Provincial courts in B.C. to drop mask mandate

Access to provincial courtrooms in B.C. was limited to varying degrees throughout the pandemic but most restrictions will come to an end on April 11.

Wearing masks in courtrooms will be a personal choice unless the presiding judge directs otherwise, according to a message from Chief Judge Melissa Gillespie.

Until the restrictions are removed next week, any member of the public or media who walks into a courthouse will continue to be asked if they’re showing any symptoms of illness and made to wear a mask. Social distancing rules are in effect and the maximum number of people allowed in a courtroom is limited.

During many periods of the pandemic, most recently during the wave of the Omicron variant, the court did not allow the public or media to attend in person at all. There is an option to dial into court proceedings but the poor sound quality sometimes results in inaudible dialogue.

Plexiglass barriers were added to courtrooms as a COVID-related safety measure and they will remain in place, the message says. The courts will also continue to provide masks and hand sanitizer after restrictions have been lifted.

Vaccine passports were not required to enter courthouses in B.C.

The changes are being made as a result of the province’s decision to lift most pandemic-related restrictions on April 8.

READ MORE: West Kelowna gym plays ball with Interior Health for April reopening

The Supreme Courts of B.C. are also lifting pandemic-related restrictions on April 11. The same changes are coming into effect in addition to one other – people will still not be allowed to bring their own water into the courtroom, it will be supplied there, except in the case of criminal jury selection. 

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