N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley stopped all but essential business in all state courts Friday, citing the recent spike in coronavirus cases. Beasley said all in-person, non-essential court activity will stop for 30 days, according to a memorandum to courts statewide.
It’s the tightest restrictions on the courts since March 13, when Beasley ordered that most court proceedings be rescheduled. Judicial employees statewide have reported 291 confirmed COVID-19 cases, Beasley said, including 40 in the last week. Of the state’s 100 counties, 53 have reported partial or complete shutdowns during the pandemic.
“Scaling back operations for the next 30 days will give local court officials an opportunity to do much needed planning to ensure that our courts are in the best possible position to protect the health and safety of employees and the public in 2021,” Beasley wrote.