Effective March 1, 2023, per order of Chief Judge Sippel, the following restrictions on entering any courthouse in the Eastern District of Missouri apply.
THE COURTHOUSE IS OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
• Those needing to access the Thomas F. Eagleton courthouse must adhere to building access restrictions found in the Order of Chief Judge Clark dated March 1, 2023.
• Judges or agency heads may create their own standards regarding social distancing and masking within any portion of their designated courthouse space, or otherwise regulate the spacing and flow of persons, as deemed necessary by the judge or agency head.
• Wearing a mask or face covering over the nose and mouth is not required, but is recommended, especially for unvaccinated persons, persons who have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past five (5) days, persons who had COVID-19 symptoms within the last five days, and persons for whom COVID-19 and its variants pose an elevated health risk.
IN ORDER TO BE ADMITTED BEYOND THE MAIN LOBBY OF THE COURTHOUSES, ALL PERSONS MUST:
• Not have been asked to self-quarantine by any doctor, hospital or health agency within the last five (5) days; or
• Not have been diagnosed with or tested positive for COVID-19 within the last five (5) days, or have been diagnosed or tested positive for COVID-19 five (5) or more days ago but are still experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (not counting their initial date of diagnosis or symptoms).
POST-VISIT REPORTING REQUIREMENT:
• People who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider immediately.
• All courthouse visitors are required to notify the court or agency they visited, should the visitor exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms within ten (10) days of their visit to the courthouse.
ALTHOUGH THE COURTHOUSE IS NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, EVERY COURT OR AGENCY IN THE COURTHOUSE REMAINS AVAILABLE FOR REMOTE SERVICES TO THOSE WHO ARE UNABLE TO CONDUCT IN-PERSON BUSINESS:
• For those whose conditions do not allow them to conduct business in the courthouse in person, each agency will provide contact information so that your concerns may be addressed to that particular agency;
• If you are represented by an attorney, please contact your attorney;
• If you are an attorney scheduled to appear in Bankruptcy Court before a bankruptcy judge, or have other business with the Bankruptcy Court, please contact that chambers directly or contact the Bankruptcy Court Clerk's Office at 314-244-4500, or refer to the Court's website at www.moeb.uscourts.gov/contact . Persons needing to file documents in person may drop them in the Bankruptcy drop box in the lobby;
• For U.S. Trustee matters, including §341 meeting of creditors, please contact the U.S. Trustee at 314-539-2976;
• If you are an attorney scheduled to appear in District Court before a district or magistrate judge, or have other business with the District Court, please contact that chambers directly or contact the Clerk's Office at 314-244-7900, or refer to the Court's website www.moed.uscourts.gov for clerk’s office and chambers contact information. Persons needing to file documents in person but needing to preserve social distancing may drop District Court filings in the District Court drop box on the 3rd floor of the Courthouse. Self-represented litigants (SRLs) can also file cases by e-mail during this time to: MOED_SRL_Filings@moed.uscourts.gov. For further information on District Court practices during this time, please refer to the District Court’s COVID-19 Information Center at: https://www.moed.uscourts.gov/sites/moed/files/COVID-19-FAQ.pdf.
• If you are in Cape Girardeau or dealing with a matter concerning the Limbaugh Courthouse, please contact the Cape divisional office at 573-331-8800; if there is no response please contact the main District Clerk's Office in St. Louis at 314-244-7900;
• For U.S. Marshal’s Service matters, please call the main line at 314-539-2212 (or 573-986-4747 for Cape);
If you have any questions as to these policies please contact the Clerk of the Bankruptcy Court, Dana McWay, at email or 314-244-4500.