Team Herald
PANJIM: All the courts in Goa are set to resume regular functioning from June 8 but with precautions in a bid to stay safe from the COVID-19 infection.
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Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court and Judges of the Administrative Committee approved a Standard Operating Procedure on Wednesday for the functioning of the courts across Maharashtra, Goa and Union Territories of Daman, Diu and Dadra Nagar Haveli.
All the courts in Goa will operate in two shifts from 10 am to 1 pm and 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm with 50 percent presence of the judicial staff and the staff in each shift.
The SOP states that Principal District and Sessions Judge or the head of the establishment, in consultation with the stakeholders can change only the working timing. The duration of the shifts should not be changed considering the prevalent situation in their respective courts.
The SOP has advised that during the first week upon resuming functioning of the courts, not more than 15 matters are to be placed on board in every court in each shift.
“In case of any change in situation arising out of spread of COVID-19 and any particular taluka being declared on containment zone or any other restrictions are imposed impeding physical functioning of the courts, the head of the establishment shall immediately seek instructions from the Administrative Committee through proper channel for further course of action,” it said.
Sanitiser dispensers at the entry of office/chamber of the judges and at the entry of all the departs of the courts, wearing of masks, liquid soap dispensers in the washrooms, regular cleaning of the door knobs, taps and handles with disinfectants among other health precautions are also listed in the SOP.
The courts are also asked to advise lawyers, staff and visitors to download Aarogya Setu App in their mobile handsets while there is complete ban on persons who are not connected with any court-related work.
