Courthouse in PB to close again

Quarantine of workers leads to shutdown through April 24

PINE BLUFF -- The Jefferson County Courthouse, which recently reopened to allow employees to return to their offices but has remained closed to the public, has been ordered closed again after several county employees had to be quarantined due to potential exposure to the novel coronavirus, the virus responsible for the covid-19 pandemic.

According to the order by County Judge Gerald Robinson, the courthouse will be closed beginning Tuesday and will remain closed through April 24.

"A county employee displayed some symptoms and was sent home to be quarantined," Robinson said. "As a precaution, I've decided to close the courthouse for two weeks and have the building thoroughly disinfected."

During the closure, Robinson said, employees are expected to stay at home and leave only when necessary, and he encouraged employees to wear masks and other protective gear when they do go out in public.

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Robinson said that although the courthouse will be closed, county departments will still be operational online and by phone.

"Employees will be working from home and some services will be available," he said. "The assessor's office, the tax collector's office, the county clerk's office, and the circuit clerk's office all have the capability to work from home. You can still get services taken care of like tax payments and property assessments."

The Circuit Court divisions in Jefferson County will continue to operate, albeit in a limited capacity, after an order issued by Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice John Dan Kemp on Friday.

According to Kemp's order, "proceedings that do not require in-person appearances of parties or counsel are not suspended and may continue or be suspended at the discretion of the presiding judge as circumstances allow."

In his order, which is in effect through June 30, Kemp encouraged judges to use teleconferencing, videoconferencing or other technology that can be used as a substitute for appearing in person.

"We are having probable cause hearings every morning as needed over at district court by Zoom conferencing," Prosecuting Attorney Kyle Hunter said. "We're also doing first appearances over there at district court by Zoom conferencing. Regarding other matters, our office is still assisting people in filing orders of protection and involuntary commitments are still being processed."

Juvenile detention hearings and emergency custody orders or child removal hearings may also continue at the discretion of the judge.

Robinson said although the courthouse will be opened to county employees on Monday, public access will continue to be restricted until further notice.

He said the Quorum Court, which normally meets on the second Tuesday after the first Monday of the month, will instead meet immediately following the Quorum Court Committees meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. Attendance will be limited to elected officials, essential staff, and media, according to Robinson's order. All attendees will be screened for temperature and will be asked questions related to covid-19 before being allowed entry, and social distancing protocols will be enforced, he said.

State Desk on 04/04/2020

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