On Monday, May 18, 2020:
Broome
Chemung
Chenango
Delaware
Fulton
Genesee
Herkimer
Livingston
Montgomery
Monroe
Ontario
Orleans
Oneida
Otsego
Schoharie
Seneca
Schuyler
Steuben
Tioga
Tompkins
Wayne
Wyoming
Yates
On Wednesday, May 20, 2020:
Clinton
Essex
Franklin
Hamilton
Jefferson
Lewis
St. Lawrence
The NYS courts' press release announcing these courts' reopenings adds:
Importantly, new cases may be filed in these counties electronically.That means new civil actions will be filed in those counties, folks. Count on it.
Yesterday's press release states that "[c]ourthouse areas that will be used in this first phase include judges’ chambers, clerks’ offices and back offices." Courtrooms aren't on that list. That means no trials yet.
Social distancing and other steps restricting courthouse traffic will be enforced to protect the health and safety of judges and staff, attorneys, litigants and members of the public. Among other safety measures:
• Non-employee court visitors will be required to undergo COVID-19 screening before entering the courthouse.
• All staff who interact with court visitors must wear a mask.
• Anyone entering the courthouse will be required to wear a mask, with masks available for those who need one.
• Courtroom and other areas will be carefully marked to ensure proper physical distancing.
• Court facilities will be regularly sanitized.
• Hand sanitizer dispensers will be available throughout the courthouse.
• Acrylic barriers and other safety features will be installed in courthouse areas as needed.For law firms like mine that litigate civil matters, this is welcome news.