Schuylkill County President Judge William E. Baldwin has extended the judicial emergency set to expire June 7.

In an administrative order Thursday, Baldwin said the action is needed for “the health and safety of those who work in and visit the Schuylkill County Courthouse, the Magisterial District Courts, and other county facilities, the judicial emergency is extended until July 5, 2021.”

The order says it is “the continuing intent of the court, in cooperation with the Schuylkill County Commissioners, to limit the necessity for the public to enter court and county facilities in order to access public services.”

Baldwin said the previous administrative orders dated Dec. 30 and April 23 remain in effect.

Those required temperature scans for the public and the county when entering the courthouse. Employees when entering the courthouse for the first time each day shall enter through the public entrance, the Laurel Street entrance or the North entrance from the parking lot.

The sheriff and his deputies are authorized to deny entrance to anyone who “has an elevated temperature or is visibly ill, and to anyone who refuses to submit to a noninvasive temperature check or wear a protective face covering. The protective face covering requirement shall not apply to children under 2 years old or to individuals who cannot wear a face covering due to a medical condition.”

Title searchers are still required to make appointments to view county and court records.

The court/county has taken steps to reduce the potential spread of the COVID-19 including installing boxes outside the security entrance for the public to drop off items. Visitors are also asked what their business is when entering the courthouse.