Covid-19: New legislative acts and virtual trials at the Admiralty Court due to the pandemic
In view of the pandemic scenario that is affecting Brazil, the Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro published last Friday, April 17, 2020, the State Law nº 8.794, which recognizes the public calamity of the State until September 01st, 2020 (a term that can be renewed), due to the already declared emergency situation arising from the outbreak of Covid-19.
With this Law, the State of Rio de Janeiro has now more flexibility to comply with the Fiscal Responsibility Law (Complementary Law nº 101/2000), in particular for the hiring of personnel and the acquisition of goods and services, giving to the General Controllership of the State (CGE), the systematic evaluation of expenses and acts resulting from the measures to deal with Covid-19 (State Decree nº 47.039/2020).
In the same opportunity, the State of Rio de Janeiro Decree nº 47.038/2020 was enacted, in which it is acknowledged that if a state civil or military civil employee passes away due to the Covid-19 contracted, subject to evidence, in the exercise of his duties, such episode will be considered an accident at work for the purposes of paying a pension to their dependents.
In the meantime, the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro made the use of face protection masks mandatory during the transit of people in the city’s public spaces (such as streets, squares, beaches, etc.), in public and private means of transport for passengers and in the performance of work activities in shared public and private environments (Decree Rio nº 47.375/2020). The possibility of producing handmade masks is also recognized, provided that the guidelines of the Ministry of Health are followed.
The Admiralty Court, through Ordinance nº 20/2020, sets forth the possibility of virtual judgement sessions, to be performed upon the call of its president-judge. Full access and participation will be guaranteed to the representative of the Special Navy Prosecutor (PEM) and the lawyers of the parties, provided that they are duly qualified in accordance with the Ordinance. The legal deadlines remain suspended until April 27, 2020.
The Maritime Law team is available in case of doubts.