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Victoria Chief Justice removes further COVID-19 restrictions
In light of the state’s major improvement with managing coronavirus cases, Victorian Chief Justice Anne Ferguson has advised that many restrictions will be lifted.
Naomi Neilson
In addition to the removal of the COVID-19 density quotient, when in use for ordinary purposes, courts and tribunals can now operate with no physical distancing. This will include jury trials, which will now only have to comply with the 1.5-metre distancing where members of the public are roaming for general visitation purposes.
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At the same time, record-keeping and cleaning requirements will remain a part of the normal COVID-safe plan for all Victorian courts and tribunals, together with hygiene measures and existing practices to ensure anyone with symptoms does not enter.
“The ability to safely return to in-person hearings without the constraints of physical distancing will allow the courts to restore hearing capacity in the areas most impacted by COVID-19 restrictions over the past year,” Chief Justice Anne Ferguson said.
“VCAT will continue to work towards a gradual and managed opening up to in-person hearings in addition to telephone and online hearings.”
Changes will be implemented over time and will look to retain innovations developed throughout the pandemic “where they have shown to have ongoing benefit”.
The courts will also continue to work with the wider legal profession and members of the many agencies who contribute to the judicial system as it moves forward.
“I will reconvene the civil and criminal justice forums brought together at the beginning of the pandemic as part of that process. This will provide an opportunity for system-wide discussion to achieve the best outcomes,” Chief Justice Ferguson added.
