Santa Barbara Superior Court Keeps Mask Mandate in Place

Source: Santa Barbara County Superior Court

Presiding Judge Gustavo Lavayen has ordered that all persons entering court facilities in Santa Barbara County continue wearing approved masks.  Further, the use of gaiters, bandanas and handkerchiefs is prohibited.  Court visitors, attorneys, jurors, staff and judges must wear an N95, KN95, KF94 mask or a combination of surgical mask and cloth mask.  The mandate is reflected in the administrative order issued on January 18, 2022  which remains in full, force and effect.

The Court recognizes that the State and County have lifted mask mandates for vaccinated persons.  However, the Court wishes to provide the safest environment within which to conduct court proceedings for everyone involved.
Court users have already grown accustomed to the prevalence of plexiglass throughout courtrooms and the availability of hand sanitizers and air purifiers in many of the facilities.  “This is one more measure to ensure that people are safe when they come to the Santa Barbara Superior Court”, said Judge Lavayen.

 

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  1. “Court users have already grown accustomed to the prevalence of plexiglass throughout courtrooms and the availability of hand sanitizers and air purifiers in many of the facilities.” Ah yes, the ‘ol “already grown accustomed to” (you fill in the blank). What’s next?

  2. Wow, I though governor Newsom was pretty far left and he ended mask mandates at the state level. This court must be off the charts. I am concerned about the ability of a judge with such an extreme political bias to perform his duties.

  3. Pstar, this is more about the role of a judge than it is about mask orders. A judge is tasked with interpreting law and implementing the intention of the law. It is not the place of a judge to create law, or legislate from the bench. The legislative branch of government is empowered to create law, and they have done so. The state and local government, and the public health officials they have empowered through legislation have determined that masks are no longer required indoors. It is not the place of a judge to create his own public health policy. Rather, a judge is tasked with interpreting the laws and regulations that stem from the legislative branch of government. If you believe b95 and double masking should be required, then you should petition your state and local elected officials and vote for candidates who support such a policy. It is not legal, nor appropriate for a judge to create public health regulations.

  4. Its not the Judges choice-Thats whats wrong with some Judges they think they make all the rules (they dont) maybe he didnt get the memo-get the memo we are paying your salary-if not quit and get a job where you have the right to pick and choose

  5. Hospitalisation and death rate are low though… so yeah… they (the Danes) are testing like crazy and just like here everyone is testing positive for omicron. Time to live like the Dane’s and stop the silliness. And again, You can keep masking yourself forever…

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