Schuylkill County President Judge William E. Baldwin has extended the judicial emergency for the county.

The order states the number of COVID-19 cases in the county is still at “concerning levels it is the determination of the court that, for the health and safety of those who work in and visit the Schuylkill County Courthouse, the Magisterial District Courts, and other county facilities, the judicial emergency is extended until June 7. It is the continuing intent of the court, in cooperation with the Schuylkill County Commissioners, to limit the necessity for the public to enter court and county facilities in order to access public services.”

The order further states the supplemental emergency administrative order of Dec. 30 is still applicable with the following additions:

• Title searchers still have to make appointments to county and court records by appointment. Those should be scheduled to permit no more than three title searchers at one time in the Schuylkill County Recorder of Deeds office plus an extra one in the basement vault of that office. Two time searchers are permitted at one time in the vault of the Schuylkill County Prothonotary’s office. Drug court may resume in-person proceedings at discretion of the presiding judge, the order reads.

A copy of the Dec. 30 supplemental order is online at co.schuylkill.pa.us

The order reads in part that the public should enter the courthouse through the security entrance and undergo a temperature scan, county employees when entering the courthouse for the first time each day shall enter through the public entrance, the Laurel Street entrance or the North entrance from the parking lot. The sheriff and his deputies are authorized to deny entrance to anyone who “has an elevated temperature or is visibly ill, and to anyone who refuses to submit to a non invasive temperature check or to wear a protective face covering. The protective face covering requirement shall not apply to children under 2 years old or to individuals who cannot wear a face covering due to a medical condition.”

The court/ county has taken steps to reduce the potential spread of the virus including installing boxes outside the security entrance for the public to drop off items. Visitors are also asked what their business is when entering the courthouse.