The Kentucky Supreme Court is lifting most COVID-19 restrictions for the state court system with the changes effective immediately.
Chief Justice John D. Minton, Jr., a Trigg County native, made the announcement Tuesday in wake of the Centers for Disease Control’s latest guidance for fully vaccinated individuals. He said he was pleased the Supreme Court has lifted most of the COVID-19 restrictions for employees, elected officials and those entering court facilities across the commonwealth.
According to an Administrative Order pertaining to COVID-19 health and safety requirements, in-person access to court facilities will now be allowed for any individual with business before the courts, except those who have COVID symptoms, have tested positive for the virus, or have been exposed to the coronavirus. The orders also eliminate the mask requirement for fully vaccinated members of the public entering court facilities as well as vaccinated elected officials and employees. However, the order still permits judges to require individuals in their courtrooms to wear masks and gives authorities the ability to require the employees they supervise to wear masks in a specific office, courtroom, or department. In addition, the order allows the judges to conduct in-person court proceedings and continue the use of remote technology for court proceedings. In-person filings and payments at the local Office of Circuit Court Clerk are also permitted due to the latest order.
The second Supreme Court Order in response to COVID-19 court proceedings lifts most restrictions on jury trials but requires continuances, postponements, and recusals for attorneys, parties, and jurors who are ill or at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. In addition, the order retains the July 1, 2021, start date for show cause dockets for payments of fines and court costs.
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