As I drove to work yesterday, I heard the news that 250,000 Americans have died from COVID-19, a catastrophe of historic proportions for our country. And closer to home, 112 of Kentucky’s 120 counties are in the red zone for COVID cases. Positive cases among court employees are on the rise. Our hospitals and health-care professionals are quickly becoming overwhelmed and the numbers are expected to continue to climb after the holidays.

I hope this email finds you safe and well as we head into our eighth month of the pandemic. I want you to know how proud I am of your perseverance as we find ourselves fighting “COVID fatigue.” I recognize that having to conduct remote proceedings, enforce social distancing, and sanitize courtrooms and workspaces is wearing thin but, even so, you continue to forge ahead with your dockets and safety measures.

Today the Supreme Court entered two orders that provide further guidance on how the Judicial Branch can safely carry out court operations. These orders clarify requirements for court facilities and proceedings, address staffing concerns raised by circuit court clerks, and provide updates on the handling of jury trials and evictions.

On May 15, the Supreme Court announced the court system’s reopening plan, which provides guidance on how the Judicial Branch will gradually expand court services starting June 1. As a follow-up to the initial order, the Supreme Court released six orders today that offer further direction to the courts and the public about court operations on June 1.

Today the Supreme Court provided guidance on jury trials in Administrative Order 2020-40, dated May 19, 2020, and effective June 1, 2020. The complete order can be found here and the highlights are below: