The Carbon County Court of Common Pleas is closed to the public as part of a judicial emergency until at least April 3.

A new order signed by Patricia Nicola, chief clerk of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania on Wednesday, is in response to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s mandate to close courts for the time being as a response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Nanovic said that the closure will begin at the close of business today and last through at least April 3.

This means that the order President Judge Roger N. Nanovic signed earlier this week has been modified to follow guidance that the federal government issued suggesting the immediate need for extraordinary nationwide measures, including no gatherings larger than 10 people at this time.

“This court is cognizant of the nature of court proceedings, during which individuals who may be carrying the virus with or without symptoms - including court staff, attorneys, litigants, other court participants and members of the public - may come into close proximity with other persons.”

Because of this, the courts have declared a judicial emergency.

In the event legal papers or pleadings are required to be filed between March 19 and April 3, they shall be deemed filed in a timely manner as long as they are filed by April 6 or a later date as permitted by a local court.

Under the new order, the court’s essential functions include emergency bail review and habeas corpus hearings, bench warrant hearings, juvenile delinquency detention, juvenile emergency shelter and detention hearings, temporary protection from abuse hearings, emergency petitions for child custody or guardianship, emergency injunctions and any pleading related to public health concerns and involves immediate and irreparable harm and any other function deemed by Nanovic to be essential.

Court calendars and other scheduling activities within the courts are continued or postponed until further notice.

Jury and nonjury trials will be rescheduled for a future date and juror selection dates before April 3 are canceled.

Some conferences, such as pretrial, can proceed if they can be handled through advanced communication technology.

Bail review requests shall be reviewed and hearings on all essential functions shall be held in courtrooms designed by the courts.

The four magisterial district court offices will be closed to the public except for essential functions including preliminary arraignments, criminal case filings, preliminary hearings of those who are incarcerated, issuing search warrants and emergency PFA petitions.

All other pending cases are postponed and all payments to magisterial district courts should be mailed, paid online or over the phone.

Updates to any court calendars, contact phone numbers and operations are available on the court’s website at www.carboncourts.com.

Schuylkill County

Schuylkill County’s President Judge William E. Baldwin Tuesday declared a judicial state of emergency, which will remain in effect until the emergency created by COVID-19 has passed.

Schuylkill County sheriffs may deny courthouse access to anyone who is visibly ill. In addition, department heads will be monitoring their employees and any employees with virus symptoms will be sent home.

The Schuylkill County sheriffs may also decline to transport prisoners from any prison if the prisoner appears ill or may have, within the last 14 days, been in contact with someone who was positive for coronavirus.