This archive report was first published on 6 August 2020.
On July 30, 2020, the ODPP rolled out mass testing targeting staff members, which revealed that some of them were asymptomatic carriers of the virus.
According to DPP Noordin Haji, the majority of the affected employees had previously been engaged in open court prosecutions.
“Majority of the asymptomatic cases which have been detected are mainly amongst officers serving in Divisions that have been participating in open court proceedings,” Haji noted.
He added that this was a clear indicator that those who participate in open court proceedings during the pandemic are highly exposed to the disease due to human interaction within the courts.
As a remedy, Haji has revealed his intention to engage the National Council on Administration of Justice (NCAJ) to look into the safety of prosecutors, judges, magistrates, lawyers, and members of the public engaged in litigation.
Despite the incident, Haji reassured the public that the duties of his office would not be paralysed, and that the staff members who have tested positive have been directed to self-isolate at home or at any government facility.
On August 6, 2020, the national tally of Covid-19 cases stood at 24,411, with 514 recoveries reported that day.
