The Federal Courthouses in the Eastern District of Virginia are closed Monday, January 16, 2023, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  Effective Tuesday, January 17, 2023, the following masking changes occur:

Alexandria:  Masks are required. **NEW**

Richmond:  Masks are optional.  **NEW**

Norfolk:  Masks are optional.

Newport News:  Masks are required. **NEW**

These masking changes are in accordance with the Court’s Masking Policy of September 2022, which requires:

All individuals, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a well-fitting respirator (N-95, KN-95, etc.) or a surgical/procedure mask that covers their nose and mouth continuously in all indoor public areas unless it is medically unsafe for them to do so and they obtain permission from the Chief Judge or Senior Active Judge. For locations where masks are optional, judges may still require that masks be worn in their courtrooms and chambers.

Additionally, the Court’s division-specific masking policy requires these changes due to the CDC’s elevation of the Cities of Alexandria and Newport News to the “high” category for COVID-19 community levels, and the lowering of the City of Richmond to the “medium” category for COVID-19 community levels.