Chief Judge Janet DiFiore. Photo: Carmen Natale/ALM

New York's court system is cutting down on in-person staffing as key coronavirus metrics worsen and the state warns of regional shutdowns if hospitals approach critical capacity.

In-person staffing is being lessened to no more than 40 percent of pre-pandemic levels in courts statewide except for New York City, Chief Judge Janet DiFiore said in a video statement on Monday. For courts in New York City, in-person staffing is being curtailed to no more than 30 percent of pre-pandemic levels, she said. The limits went into effect Monday, she said.

State courts, she said, are sharply curtailing the amount of in-person matters allowed to go forward.

"Nonessential personal appearances in civil courts are being temporarily suspended, and only a number of in-person essential and emergency matters will be heard in criminal, family and housing court," she said in the video.

The definition of essential matters was not immediately available. By lessening the amount of people inside its facilities, the court system is aiming to curb the person-to-person interactions that can lead to new infections.