KENTUCKY — As COVID-19 continues to surge in Kentucky, the state Supreme Court issued new mandates for court operations.

In an email to court personnel Friday, Chief Justice of Kentucky John D. Minton Jr. said the courts have a responsibility to protect people from the virus, citing the "involuntary nature" of most court proceedings.

“As I’ve said many times over the last few months, one of our guiding truths has been the involuntary nature of most court proceedings,” he said. “People can choose whether to eat at a restaurant or go shopping, but in most instances they don’t get to choose whether they go to court. We have a responsibility to do all we can to keep people from being exposed to a potentially fatal virus.”

The Supreme Court has amended two orders, limiting in-person proceedings and restricting access to judicial facilities. Administrative Order 2020-71 replaces Administrative Order 2020-63 in its entirety, while Administrative Order 2020-72 replaces Administrative Order 2020-64 also in its entirety.

Set to go into effect Monday, Nov. 30, the orders pertain to all 120 counties.

The orders, which adopt as mandates many of the recommendations announced Oct. 29, include:

• Limiting entrance to judicial facilities;
• Requiring remote hearings for all proceedings, except as specified in Administrative Order 2020-71;
• Postponing jury trials until Feb. 1;
• Either conducting grand juries remotely or suspending them;
• Postponing all show cause dockets until Feb. 1; and
• Requiring judicial sales to be conducted either remotely or outside and in alignment with CDC guidelines.

“The good news is that a vaccine is on the horizon and we’re starting to see a path out of this deep crisis,” Minton said. “In the meantime, we must continue to ensure justice for the commonwealth while protecting the health of our employees and the public.”

Haeli Spears is a digital producer with Spectrum News 1 KY. She is a recent graduate of the University of Louisville and joined the staff in May, 2020.