Demerara High Court temporarily closes due to COVID-19 exposure

The High Court in Demerara has announced the temporary closure of its courthouse and offices due to exposure to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). In a notice, the Supreme Court of Judicature said that operations will be closed from Wednesday through next Monday.
The notice said the closure is a precautionary measure, given exposure to the virus, and to effect sanitisation of the court building and offices. The Supreme Court noted that the usual precautions and protocols are being adopted at this time. Despite the short-term closure, the work of the court will continue, just as it has been during the pandemic.
According to the notice, urgent matters will be done by way of remote hearings during this period for the Demerara High Court. The filing of urgent and other matters may be effected through the use of the e-filing portal on the Supreme Court’s website (supremecourt.gy).
Persons who have scheduled in-person hearings at the court during this period are advised to make contacts with the court’s registrar, deputy registrar, or their Attorneys-at-Law. The Demerara High Court registry will resume operations with a skeletal staff from January 10 to 14.

Since Guyana discovered its first COVID-19 case back in March 2020, similar exposures have led to the temporary closure of several courthouses across the country. Court buildings are regularly sanitised and fumigated.
The Supreme Court has been collaborating with the Health Ministry and the COVID-19 Task Force in the implementation of all established guidelines and protocols to ensure the safe operation of the judiciary.
It has been providing free transportation to and from work for staff, stationing health workers at court entrances, using technology in the conduct of trials, paying for COVID-19 testing for staff, and arranging for vaccines to be made available to staff members of the Judiciary.
Also, the Supreme Court has arranged webinars for all staff throughout the country on the effects of COVID-19, responding to the pandemic, and vaccination. The Judiciary also has a response team in place to deal with the preparedness, response, and interaction with public health agencies.
The team frequently interfaces with the court staff, and reports to the Chancellor of the Judiciary. Given the nature and characteristics of the virus and its potential to disrupt or even halt the functions of the courts, the Supreme Court said there will be strict adherence to safety protocols.