“We implemented this policy to protect the health of everyone who enters the courthouse"

YOLO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - Yolo Superior Court announced the Court will require all employees to be fully vaccinated subject to limited exceptions. This policy will take effect September 1, 2021 and require all employees to be fully vaccinated by October 15, 2021.

Clinical trials, scientific research, and safety monitoring have demonstrated that the federally authorized COVID-19 vaccines are safe and are the most effective method of preventing people from getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 and from becoming seriously ill, ending up hospitalized, or dying.  Both President Biden and Governor Newsom have instituted vaccination requirements as enhanced prevention measures for government employees. Governor Newsom has encouraged local governments and private businesses to implement similar requirements.

“We implemented this policy to protect the health of everyone who enters the courthouse, many of whom are required to appear to serve as jurors, or because they have a pending case, or because they work here,” said Presiding Judge Daniel P. Maguire.  “This policy will enhance our ability to serve the public by lessening the risk of transmission at the courthouse,” he added.  Court Executive Officer Shawn C. Landry stated, “Our intent is to ensure the safety of the majority of our staff the best we can. All the scientific data and recommendations say that getting fully vaccinated is the best way to do this.”  The Court will require all employees to be fully vaccinated or face discipline up to and including release from Court employment.

Landry added, “This decision was not made lightly. However, our work as Trial Court employees is critical to the continued function of our judicial branch, the citizens we serve and our fellow Court employees. We are responsible to the many people who are compelled to come to Court and to maintain an environment that is healthy and safe.” 

Yolo Superior Court remained open to the public through the entirety of the pandemic by making balanced decisions that allowed critical hearings to proceed while simultaneously trying to reduce exposure to COVID-19 where possible. Since March 20, 2020, the Court initiated a series of strict COVID-19 measures to help protect employees, agency staff, and the public from exposure. 

Examples of these measures include hearings conducted both remotely and in-person, live-streamed public access over YouTube, jury hardships handled remotely via Zoom, online appointments for self-help services, and an emphasis on filing paperwork remotely through the Court’s eFiling process. 

“All of these efforts have had big payoffs,” according to CEO Landry.  “We have seen a dramatic reduction of people having to come into the courthouse to conduct their important business.  This is convenient for the public but also helpful in our safety efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.”