Henry County Courts on Wednesday suspended most proceedings through the end of next week because of a coronavirus outbreak in the judiciary.
Henry Superior Court Judge Brian J. Amero issued the order after a number of positive cases were reported in the offices of the superior, state and magistrate courts. All but the Probate Court will cease proceedings through July 10 unless they can be “conducted via videoconference or teleconference,” the order said.
“The nature of this emergency is the continued transmission of coronavirus/COVID-19 throughout areas near and surrounding the Flint Judicial Circuit as well as within the Circuit itself, the counties of residence of many of our court employees, and the potential infection of those who are required to appear in our courts and interact with large groups,” Amero said.
The news comes on the same day that Henry County Government officials put in-person county commission meetings on hold after one or more workers contracted the disease. The county said the suspension of in-person commission meetings will continue until further notice.
It is not clear if the two issues are related.
The Henry court said that courthouses will remain open during regular business hours to accept filings, except the Judicial Center at 44 John Frank Ward Boulevard. The District Attorney’s office said its staff will work remotely during the period.
“We are conducting court online and doing video meetings,” the D.A.’s office said.
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