Schuylkill County President Judge William E. Baldwin has issued an administrative order due to the rising COVID-19 cases countywide.

The order requires the wearing of masks and other requirements. Northampton and Lehigh counties also have a mask requirement.

Baldwin said he consulted with the county commissioners in making his decision which is for the “health and safety of our employees, visitors to our facilities, and their families. No one shall be admitted to the courthouse, magisterial district courts, or other county facilities without wearing a face mask.”

Masks shall be worn at all times in the courtrooms, hallways and common areas of county facilities.

Access to the building will be refused to all visitors or employees who refuse to wear a face mask, the order says.

Employees can remove masks when working alone in offices or in cubicles where social distancing is maintained.

Visitors to the courthouse, magisterial district courts, and county offices shall leave the building when the reason for the judicial proceeding or county business is done.

“Courthouse employees shall remain in their offices unless their duties require them to go to other offices within the courthouse, in which case, they must return to their office as soon as their business in other offices is concluded,” the order reads.

The courthouse canteen will continue to be open but no one may “assemble, congregate, or make use of the tables or the chairs in the area adjacent to the canteen.”

Sheriff Joseph Groody and his deputies are authorized to maintain compliance with the order.