Chief Justice Paul Newby issued a new order today containing Emergency Directives related to COVID-19. The order will take effect on June 7, 2021, and is set to expire on July 4, 2021.

The new order differs significantly from the order entered by Chief Justice Newby on May 10, 2021, and modified by him on May 14, 2021, to eliminate Emergency Directive 21 (face coverings in courthouse facilities). Citing the accumulation of pending cases during the COVID-19 outbreak, and the importance of providing justice without delay, the new order includes only those Emergency Directives deemed necessary for the prompt disposition of pending cases. It also strongly encourages senior resident superior court judges to do whatever they can to resume jury trials.

The following Emergency Directives from the May 10 order will remain in effect and unchanged:

• Emergency Directive 3 (remote proceedings)
• Emergency Directive 5 (verification of pleadings and other filings)
   

The following Emergency Directives from the May 10 order do not appear in the new order and will expire on June 6, 2021:

• Emergency Directive 2 (persons likely exposed to COVID-19 should not enter the courthouse) 
• Emergency Directive 11 (COVID-19 coordinator)
• Emergency Directive 14 (submission of filings to the clerk of court)
• Emergency Directive 15 (extension of filing deadlines for mailed filings)