Surrey Courthouse hit by COVID-19, all workers tested after sheriffs contract virus

SURREY (NEWS 1130) — The Surrey provincial courthouse has been hit with a COVID-19 outbreak. Several sheriffs have tested positive, and more than 20 other people who work at the courthouse have been forced into isolation.

The Attorney General’s office confirmed the outbreak with NEWS 1130 Thursday.

Multiple sources tell NEWS 1130 everyone who works at the courthouse is being tested for the virus, and several people who work at the courthouse have reached out to share their concerns about the outbreak and how it is being handled.

I've been told COVID-19 has hit the Surrey Courthouse. Several staff (Sheriffs and possibly others) have contracted the virus, and a number of others are isolating. I am trying to narrow down specific details and will be covering this for you @NEWS1130 this afternoon. #COVID19

— Martin MacMahon (@martinmacmahon) November 26, 2020

Stephanie Smith, president of the BC Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU), says more can be done to protect staff.

“Our members are going there to work whether it’s frontline sheriffs, whether it’s administrative support staff, whether it’s the clerks — who we also represent — and it’s the employers’ job to ensure those workers are being kept safe,” she says. “I believe that this employer, in particular, could be doing more to keep our members and other workers safe, and we’ve felt that way since the beginning of the pandemic.”

Smith says some provincial ministries have done well protecting staff, but there have been issues in courts.

She also questions the courthouse’s virus control plan.

“Whatever safety plan is in place at the Surrey Courthouse to mitigate the risk of infection or exposure, clearly it’s not working,” Smith says, “and so we’re calling on the employer to do more and do better.”

Multiple sources tell me everyone who works at Surrey Courthouse is now being tested for COVID-19. One person who works there tells me those who call in sick get 75% pay under BCGEU agreement & some are going to work sick because they say they can't afford reduced pay for 14 days

— Martin MacMahon (@martinmacmahon) November 26, 2020

A person who works at the courthouse tells NEWS 1130 unionized staff who call in sick get 75 per cent of their pay under the union agreement, and some people are going to work sick because they say they can’t afford reduced pay for 14 days.

The court remains open and the Attorney General’s office says no operations have been affected by the situation, adding strict protocols are in place.

“All courtrooms are inspected, sanitized and maintained in accordance with required standards, and those entering courthouses are subject to a pre-screening process that includes answering specific questions regarding health and travel,” a spokesperson says in an email.