Lexis®Library update: HMCTS explained that all suspected incidents and/or confirmed cases of coronavirus within its court and tribunal buildings in England and Wales, and tribunals in Scotland, are reported to HMCTS, with individuals who test positive for the virus advised to contact managers in the relevant building at the earliest opportunity, as well as NHS Test and Trace.
Where HMCTS is notified of positive (or suspected) cases in any of its buildings, it initiates its own contact-tracing alongside the NHS test and trace service. Where there are two or more cases, an investigation is conducted. Local stakeholders and court users are also updated on the situation, with the confidentiality of those directly affected held in the highest regard. Indeed, HMCTS confirmed that ‘Any personal information we collect is only for sharing with public health authorities who may require it as part of any support they provide for complex incidents.’
HMCTS also explained that, in line with what is required of it, local authority public health teams are alerted whenever the threshold for reporting is reached and HMCTS acts on their advice.
This content was first published by LNB News / Lexis®Library, a LexisNexis® company, on 21 January 2021 and is published with permission. Further information can be found at: www.lexisnexis.com
Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/reporting-covid-19-incidents-to-court-and-tribunal-staff-and-professional-court-users
