The Tennessee Supreme Court issued a new order Tuesday, suspending jury trials from Nov. 23 - Jan. 31, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trials may still be held if an exemption is granted by the Chief Justice, officials said. They were previously suspended from March 13 - July 3, after the first cases of COVID-19 began being reported in Tennessee and across the U.S. Tuesday's order is the sixth one related to the coronavirus.
The order also directs districts to revisit and strictly adhere to previously approved reopening plans. It also reiterates that a previous order issued July 9 mandating face coverings for everyone who enters the courthouse for any court-related business.
It also encourages video conferencing whenever possible as well as reminds judges and attorneys that they "have an ethical obligation to comply with Court Orders and the reopening plans drafted by the judicial districts."
The order also prohibits anyone with COVID-19 from participating in an in-person proceeding. Judges are directing to schedule and conduct in-person hearings in a way that minimizes wait times in hallways.
