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A temperature screening has been implemented for all employees and citizens who have essential business at the Escambia County Courthouse in Brewton and the satellite office building in Atmore in response to COVID-19, according to officials.

Escambia County Commission Chairman Karean Reynolds said the county is implementing the additional safety measure to meet the needs of its employees and citizens. The screening was implemented on July 20.

Reynolds said in a release that anyone entering the county courthouse or the satellite office building will be subject to non-evasive thermal temperature screening.

Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or above — or 38 degrees Celsius — will not be allowed access. This is the body temperature the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers an indication of a fever.

Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or above will be asked to seek medical care. Anyone visiting these county facilities will also be required to be incompliance with Governor Ivy’s “Safer at Home Order” specifically the mask requirement.

“Citizens are urged to continue practicing social distancing to aid in preventing the spread of COVID-19,” Reynolds said.

The policy will not affect any scheduled court proceedings, Reynolds said.

Those entering the courthouse for court, voting or other business related to the court system who may have a temperature of 100.4 or above should step outside the courthouse but not leave the premises. Someone from the appropriate judicial office will be notified of your presence and will give you further instruction, Reynolds said.

Again, do not leave the courthouse premises until an official with the courts speaks with you. If you are represented by an attorney call your attorney if you can do so without leaving the courthouse premises, he said.