In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, administrative judges for New York's Fourth, Eighth and Ninth Judicial Districts announced this week that virtual court operations will be up and running in all covered municipalities starting April 6.

Administrative Judge Felix J. Catena of the Fourth Judicial District said videoconferenced hearings will take place for all courts within Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Saratoga, Schenectady, St. Lawrence, Warren, and Washington counties for essential proceedings.

"For the health and safety of our court employees and those who enter our courthouses, we have implemented temporary measures designed to reduce exposure to the coronavirus," Catena said. "We initially consolidated all court proceedings into central locations, reduced the maximum occupancy of all courtrooms, waiting rooms and meeting rooms in court facilities, and adjourned all nonessential matters for a minimum of 45 days, allowing only designated judges and essential staff to report to the courthouse for work. Now, as the pandemic intensifies, there is a need to further reduce courthouse density. Accordingly, the Fourth Judicial District will begin hearing all essential matters virtually."