Linden Magistrate’s Court to reopen next week after COVID-19 sanitisation

The Linden Magistrate’s Court will reopen next Tuesday after an almost two-week closure, as a precautionary measure owing to exposure to the coronavirus.
The Judiciary had informed that the court would be closed from December 23, 2020, to effect sanitisation of the court’s building and office. However, the court is still facilitating the hearing of urgent matters remotely. The filing of urgent matters, including domestic violence applications and serious matters, can be done by making contact with the principal clerk of the chief magistrate.
Persons who may have matters scheduled during this period may also contact the principal clerk of court, chief magistrate, or their Attorney-at-law on the way forward. Payment of maintenance and the uplifting of bail monies will resume on January 5, 2020.
On March 16, 2020, five days after Guyana confirmed its first COVID-19 case, a similar exposure resulted in the immediate closure of the Essequibo High Court, and the Suddie and Anna Regina Magistrates’ Courts, all in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam). Since the detection of COVID-19 in Guyana, the Judiciary would carry out periodic sanitisation and fumigation exercises.
Precautionary measures have seen members of the public and court users entering courtrooms, the registries, and offices being required to use hand sanitisers which are provided and placed at the entrances to all court compounds and in strategic locations in all courts. Face masks are required for entry into the courts’ compound.
The Judiciary also has a Response Team in place to deal with the preparedness, response, and interaction with public health agencies. Also, the Judiciary has noted that given the nature and characteristics of coronavirus and its potential to disrupt or even halt the functions of the court, there will be strict adherence to safety protocols.