All New York state judges and court staff are expected to return to courthouses in person on May 24, after more than a year of mostly remote court proceedings.
New York’s chief administrative judge, Janet DiFiore, said court employees will be granted excused leave or compensatory time to get vaccinated.
“All of us work closely with our colleagues on a daily basis, even in these times of social distancing. In this environment, it is fair to say that vaccination borders on a social responsibility, even if it’s not a legal obligation,” DiFiore said.
She said a plan is being drafted to limit the number of people in courthouses to safe and responsible levels. That includes temperature checks and face mask requirements.
In-court jury trials resumed last November, but were then put on pause due to a rise in coronavirus cases on Long Island. They began again about a month ago, and now with a full staff, are expected to increase to pre-pandemic levels.