New York State Court System Chief Judge Janet DiFiore and Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence K. Marks jointly announced Wednesday that upstate courts will begin a gradual return to service next week, having met safety benchmarks set by Gov. Andrew Cuomo amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

A return to courthouses, including acceptance of new case filings, will start next week in 30 upstate counties. The process will begin May 18 in the following counties: Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Delaware, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates, Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego and Schoharie. On May 20, court openings will continue in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.