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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Coronavirus: Manchester Crown Court to stay closed all week | Coronavirus: Manchester Crown Court to stay closed all week |
| (1 day later) | |
| Manchester Crown Court will remain closed this week after six staff tested positive for Covid-19. | Manchester Crown Court will remain closed this week after six staff tested positive for Covid-19. |
| The courthouse was shut on Monday when three staff members tested positive over the weekend and a further two cases were confirmed as of Tuesday. | The courthouse was shut on Monday when three staff members tested positive over the weekend and a further two cases were confirmed as of Tuesday. |
| It briefly closed last week after a worker tested positive. Their details have been passed to NHS Test and Trace. | |
| The building has been deep-cleaned but will temporarily remain closed, HM Courts and Tribunals Service said. | The building has been deep-cleaned but will temporarily remain closed, HM Courts and Tribunals Service said. |
| Urgent casework has been moved from the site in Crown Square to Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court. | Urgent casework has been moved from the site in Crown Square to Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court. |
| 'Serious issue' | 'Serious issue' |
| Lisa Roberts QC, leader of the Northern Circuit, has criticised the courts service for how the news about Manchester Crown Court was communicated. | |
| She said she discovered the court was due to close from a tweet by a journalist, describing this as "unacceptable". | She said she discovered the court was due to close from a tweet by a journalist, describing this as "unacceptable". |
| "This is a serious issue. So is treating Circuit with the respect we deserve," she said in an email to other members of the Northern Circuit. | "This is a serious issue. So is treating Circuit with the respect we deserve," she said in an email to other members of the Northern Circuit. |
| Tim Storrie QC added: "The courts are an essential public service and it is essential to their running that there should be a complete public health solution that addresses the risks for court users. | |
| "The events in Manchester have revealed that HMCTS has no functioning plan to reassure court users in the aftermath of positive tests." | |
| A spokesperson for HM Courts and Tribunals Service said: "We have met with representatives [on Wednesday] to listen to their concerns and committed to keeping them better informed." | |
| Two courtrooms at Liverpool Crown Court have also been temporarily closed for a deep clean after a court user tested positive for Covid-19, HM Courts and Tribunals Service confirmed. | |
| Some 159 court locations remained open throughout the pandemic and more have reopened in recent weeks for socially-distanced hearings. | Some 159 court locations remained open throughout the pandemic and more have reopened in recent weeks for socially-distanced hearings. |
| Courts have been using technology to carry out virtual hearings and 10 emergency "Nightingale Courts" were set up as part of efforts to clear the growing backlog of criminal cases. | Courts have been using technology to carry out virtual hearings and 10 emergency "Nightingale Courts" were set up as part of efforts to clear the growing backlog of criminal cases. |
| Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk | Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk |