Coronavirus This scanning electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 (round gold objects) emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab. SARS-CoV-2, also known as 2019-nCoV, is the virus that causes COVID-19. The virus shown was isolated from a patient in the U.S.

Administrators from Pennsylvania's three federal district courts and the Philadelphia-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit said Monday that they're keeping an eye on the progression of COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus disease, but have not made changes to court operations.

Each court official encouraged members of the public to check their respective court websites (listed below) for updates as the situation progresses. Below are the statements from each jurisdiction:

Eastern District

"The EDPA is following the guidelines to protect the public as set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the prevention and/or containment of COVID-19, the coronavirus. The court is working in conjunction with the General Services Administration to make the courthouses in the district as safe as possible. Visitors to the courthouses are advised to check this website periodically for any new developments. Review of this important matter is on-going." —Kate Barkman, Clerk of Courts

Middle District

"Currently all court functions are proceeding without restriction. The court is actively involved in monitoring the guidance provided by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, the Center for Disease Control and state and local health department communications. Locally, we will be holding a meeting with all court stakeholders (District Court, Probation, Federal Public Defender, Bankruptcy, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshal) and Chief Judge [Christopher] Conner, on Tuesday to coordinate contingency plans should they be required. At this time, all operations are proceeding as normal with the added awareness that should indications of the threat progress, the court is positioned to address those changes, both for the welfare of the public and that of the court staff, while continuing to execute our statutory duties." —Peter Welsh, Clerk of Courts

Western District

"At this time the Western District of Pennsylvania remains open with normal operations.  However, consistent with guidance from the CDC, we are focusing on enhanced cleaning protocols and are providing hand sanitizer and other supplies to help keep the public and our staff safe. As we monitor the situation, the court remains in contact with our sister courts and districts. Locally we are coordinating with the U.S. Probation Office, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, and the U.S. Marshals Service in our district to be prepared in the event the circumstances in our area change." —Joshua Lewis, Clerk of Courts

Third Circuit

"At this point we don't have a formal plan that we've announced, but we are monitoring the situation." —Joel McHugh, Deputy Circuit Executive

For more information, check these court websites:

https://www.paed.uscourts.gov/

https://www.pamd.uscourts.gov/

https://www.pawd.uscourts.gov/

https://www.ca3.uscourts.gov/