Chief Justice Harold Melton, Supreme Court of Georgia. (Photo: John Disney/ALM)

Chief Justice Harold Melton of the Supreme Court of Georgia on Saturday declared a statewide judicial emergency, effective immediately, due to the spread of the coronavirus throughout Georgia "and the potential infection of those who work in or are required to appear in our courts."

Melton's order came a day after multiple local chief judges made similar declarations in their circuits.

Melton's order stated that courts "should remain open to address essential functions, and in particular courts should give priority to matters defined as those necessary to protect health, safety, and liberty of individuals."

According to a court press release, the order says courts should prioritize matters such as domestic abuse restraining orders, juvenile court delinquency detention hearings and emergency removal matters, mental health commitment hearings, and cases "where an immediate liberty or safety concern is present requiring the attention of the court as soon as the court is available."

Criminal trials in which a jury already has been empaneled "shall continue to conclusion, unless good cause exists to suspend the trial or declare a mistrial," the order stated.

During the period of the order, which will terminate April 13 unless extended, the order suspends and grants relief from a number of judicial deadlines, such as the "time within which to issue a warrant" and the "time within which to hold a commitment hearing."

The order stated that, "To the extent court proceedings are held, they should be done in a manner to limit the risk of exposure, where possible, such as videoconferencing."

Earlier Saturday, Gov. Brian Kemp declared a statewide public health emergency, citing a meeting on Friday with epidemiologists from Emory University, the University of Georgia, Grady Health System, and Augusta University along with Dr. Kathleen Toomey, the state's chief health officer and Commissioner of the Department of Public Health. Kemp said that "all recommended immediate implementation of social distancing measures to flatten the epidemiology curve for exposure and mitigate patient surge at health facilities. Otherwise, we risk a run on critical resources for the sickest patients in our state. Now is the time to act."