DURBAN – While the rest of the country was in level 5 lockdown the Durban Magistrates Court on Somtseu Road had remained open under strict regulations. On Thursday, April 30, a second confirmed case of Covid-19 was recorded at the magistrate's court.
The first positive case of Covid-19 had occurred about three weeks prior.
Provincial head of justice Pat Moodley said: “At that time, the affected courtroom was decontaminated and all contacts were screened, tested and quarantined. No-one tested positive.”
All officials that were in contact with the second Covid-19 positive patient were identified by the Department of Health. The identified personnel are undergoing testing for the Covid-19 as well as retracing their whereabouts.
The acting regional court president Sharon Marks advised all magistrates via a Whatsapp text message that the magistrate's court will be closed on Monday and Tuesday for decontamination.
In the message, Marks said: “As a result, the regional head of the province has decided to have Durban court decontaminated since we have already had two cases”.
During the decontamination process of the court, witnesses and the accused are advised not to appear at the court as matters will be postponed. She said only applications for urgent domestic violence will be processed at the Municipal Court building.