With COVID-19 positive tests spiking across the area, Escambia County (Ala.) Commission Chairman Karen Reynolds announced that anyone entering the courthouse in Brewton or the courthouse annex in Atmore will not only be required to wear a mask, but they will also be required to have a temperature check.
Anyone attempting to enter either building with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher will not be allowed into the building. The temperature screening became effective Monday, July 20.
Everyone entering the courthouse or satellite office, including employees, will be required to enter the front door for the temperature check.
Reynolds noted the 100.4-degree temperature is the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He added that if someone has a temperature of 100.4 or above, they will be asked to seek medical care.
“We are all in this together,” Reynolds said. “We want the courthouse and the annex as safe as possible for our employees and citizens. I know it's an inconvenience, but this will hopefully keep us from having to shut down the courthouses.”
Reynolds said the order is following Gov. Kay Ivey's 'Safer at Home Order', which includes masks and social distancing of at least 6 feet.
Reynolds did say that the order will not affect any scheduled court proceedings, noting anyone entering the courthouse for court, voting or other business related to the court system who may have a temperature of 100.4 or above should step outside the courthouse and not leave the premises.
He said someone from the appropriate judicial office will be notified of the person's presence and will give them further instruction. He added that if someone is represented by an attorney, they should call their attorney.
Those needing to contact specific offices can call the judge of probate's office at 251-867-0301, the tax assessor's office at 251-867-0303, the tax collector's office at 251-867-0305, the county's engineer's office at 251-867-0236, the Escambia County Alabama Transit System at 251-867-0584, the Emergency Management Agency at 251-867-0232, voter information, 251-867-0243 and the county commission at 251-867-0300.
