Judiciary to deal with remand prisoners via Skype following Coronavirus concerns

Given the nature and characteristics of the Coronavirus, the Judiciary has put several systems in place to guard against the spread of the disease, including dealing with remand prisoners via Skype.

In a statement from the Supreme Court on Sunday, it was noted that the decision is one of 11 arising out of a meeting convened by Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) with senior court officials on Friday to ensure that the courts are protected.

Other measures include the use of sanitizers for everyone entering the court, providing sanitizers at strategic locations in the courts, and providing a Fact Sheet on COVID- 19 to everyone.

Additionally, Judges and Magistrates, as well as supervisors of court registries and offices, are asked to provide further guidance on the attendance of litigants and progress of trials and hearings.

Members of the public who do not have cases/matters in court but who seek to accompany friends and family, are encouraged to stay away from the courts.

A response team has also been set up to deal with the preparedness, response, and interaction with public health agencies. The team will interface with staff and report to the Chancellor of the Judiciary.

The courts were fumigated and sanitized at the weekend starting with the Court of Appeal, the High Court in Demerara and the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.