Surrey courthouse staff test positive for COVID-19

The province has confirmed that several members of staff at the Surrey courthouse have tested positive for COVID-19.

The Attorney General Ministry’s Court Services Branch said the staff are now following instructions from the Fraser Health Authority. The Ministry has not released information as to how many staff members tested positive for COVID-19 nor given any information regarding what positions they held. The Fraser Health Authority would also not disclose numbers, but did confirm that it had not declared an outbreak at the courthouse, as had been reported by some media.

The Attorney General's office confirms that the courthouse remains open and there has been no impact on court operations or trials. The Ministry says all courtrooms are inspected, sanitized and maintained in accordance with the required guidelines from the Public Health Office, WorkSafeBC and the B.C. Public Service Agency.

The Ministry says access to the courthouse may be restricted or delayed at the discretion of the sheriff or the direction of the judge based on health and safety considerations and maximum building occupancy.

The Ministry says it continues to encourage those needing to use the court filing remotely whenever possible.

No more information has been released.

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