WASHINGTON D.C.: Chief Justice John Roberts said the U.S. Supreme Court will allow the public to hear arguments in person for the first time since closing the high court due to the COVID-19 pandemic some two and a half years ago.
When the court’s next term begins on 3rd October, the court’s nine justices, who are each vaccinated against COVID-19, will begin hearing a new round of cases.
CNN and local media outlet Colorado Politics reported that Roberts announced the public reopening during the 10th Circuit Bench and Bar Conference in Colorado Springs.
Even while the rest of official Washington relaxed restrictions months ago, the general public has not been allowed to enter the Supreme Court’s building since COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions were adopted in March 2020.
In May, the Court further restricted access to the public after a draft opinion showing that the court’s conservative bloc was set to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion nationwide was leaked.
In October 2021, justices resumed in-person oral arguments, joined in the courtroom by only lawyers, court staff and journalists, with members of the public being banned from entry.
Oral arguments in the Court also changed, with some of the prior free-for-all questioning of arguing attorneys being replaced by more orderly justice-by-justice questioning.
