ROCHELLE – Masks will again be required at the Ogle County Judicial Center beginning Aug. 4 regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status, an administrative order by Chief Judge Robert Hanson said Tuesday.

The order was put into place due to the “frequently changing” circumstances involving the COVID-19 pandemic and Hanson wrote measures must be implemented to protect the health and safety of those working inside the courthouse and the public to ensure fair and efficient access to justice.

The Illinois Department of Public Health and the Ogle County Health Department currently recommend that all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks in public indoor settings.

All persons, including courtroom personnel, will be required to wear a mask or face covering. A judge retains authority and discretion to allow any person inside a courtroom to remove a mask when necessary for the “fair and effective” administration of justice.

Masking is not required for judicial center employees in offices if six-foot distancing is possible.

The order said all individuals including employees and court personnel should not enter the judicial center if they have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or the Delta COVID-19 variant and are currently subject to quarantine protocols, have flu-like symptoms, have been directed to quarantine or reside with or have had close contact to someone who is currently subject to quarantine.