Lae court house shuts down services

The National National

THE Lae Court house was shut down on Monday after a person who tested positive for the Covid-19 attended his case at the court house earlier this month.
A public notice released by the Court House National Judiciary Staff Services (NJSS) posted on the entrance of the court house indicated that it would be closed from Monday to Friday (March 22-26) as per NJSS protocols and would be reviewed tomorrow.
The NJSS Covid-19 protocols for internal and public circulation stated that on March 15 the court in Lae became aware that one of the officers from the court registry on March 12 came into contact with someone who tested positive for the Covid-19.
It was confirm that the same person was in one of the court rooms for his case.
In light of this, NJSS Covid-19 protocols were adopted and applied accordingly:

  • TOTAL shut down of the establishment;
  • URGENT hearings only;
  • CLOSURE of registry. Registry will be close on the duration of the shutdown, but staff can be contacted on the contact details provided on the notice board;
  • TESTING for the Covid-19; and,
  • SPRAYING premises (disinfection) – the public gallery, registry, chambers and court rooms.