The Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the closure of all state courts, beginning at the end of the day Thursday and "lasting through at least April 3, 2020."

The move came after Pennsylvania's Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine sent a letter Wednesday to Chief Justice Thomas Saylor, urging him to close the courts for a period of 14 days.

"We anticipate that some court business could be conducted remotely during this period, consistent with constitutional limitations, as is presently occurring in some parts of the Commonwealth," the letter said.

Levine ended the letter by saying, "The administration urges that such drastic measures are now necessary to protect the health and lives of Pennsylvanians."

Read the Supreme Court's Order:

Read the Secretary of Health's Letter:

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