Courthouses set to reopen in counties surrounding NYC

/
The Queens Civil Supreme Courthouse in Jamaica has been closed since mid-March. Eagle file photo by David Brand

The Queens Civil Supreme Courthouse in Jamaica has been closed since mid-March. Eagle file photo by David Brand

By David Brand

Courthouses in nine counties surrounding New York City will reopen this week for in-person business, said Chief Judge Janet DiFiore Tuesday.

Beginning Wednesday, judges and chambers staff, as well as designated clerks and support staff,in nine counties in the New York City-area will return to work, starting with Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties.

On Thursday, courthouses in Ulster and Sullivan counties will reopen.

Courthouses in Nassau and Suffolk counties will reopen Friday.

There is no timeframe for reopening courthouses in New York City, which have been closed to the public — except for people attending criminal court video arraignments — since mid-March.

DiFiore and Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks first announced the gradual reopening of courthouses in 30 Upstate and Western New York counties on May 13 as new COVID-19 cases continue to decrease in those areas. 

“I look forward to next week’s return of judges and staff to courthouse facilities in many of our upstate counties — marking a major first step in our resumption to in-person court operations,” DiFiore said at the time.

Judges’ chambers, clerks’ offices and back offices have opened first, as the court system promotes social distancing and limits courthouse traffic 

Other safety measures announced by DiFiore include:

  • Non-employee court visitors will be required to undergo COVID-19 screening before entering the courthouse.

  • All staff who interact with court visitors must wear a mask. 

  • Anyone entering the courthouse will be required to wear a mask, with masks available for those who need one.

  • Courtroom and other areas will be carefully marked to ensure proper physical distancing. 

  • Court facilities will be regularly sanitized.

  • Hand sanitizer dispensers will be available throughout the courthouse.

  • Acrylic barriers and other safety features will be installed in courthouse areas as needed.