New York City's courthouses will begin a gradual path back toward full activity this week, with judges, chambers staff and some other personnel returning to work by Wednesday.

Chief Judge Janet DiFiore made the announcement Monday, the same day that construction and manufacturing were allowed to restart as the city entered phase one of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's reopening plan.

"This marks a major milestone in our continuing recovery from COVID-19, and especially so for New York City," DiFiore said. "We owe a great debt of gratitude to the frontline health care heroes who provided urgent medical care to those stricken with the virus; to all of the essential workers, including our very own court officers and court clerks, who kept on reporting to work to support the delivery of vital services; and to all New Yorkers who stayed unified and disciplined in flattening the curve and protecting and supporting each other."

To limit foot traffic, New York City judges will continue conducting matters virtually for now, even if they are physically working from a courthouse, DiFiore said.

She added that space will be set aside in courthouses for pro se litigants who lack the technology needed to access essential court services.

DiFiore also addressed the "tragic death of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police," which sparked mass protests nationwide and a spike in protest-related arrests in New York City. Some people waited more than 24 hours before being arraigned in the city, which became the subject of a lawsuit against the New York City Police Department last week.

DiFiore noted that the courts responded to the increase in arrests by expanding the city's arraignment parts.

"Despite the high volume of arrests, our courts were ready, and performed admirably, in arraigning all of the defendants who appeared in our virtual parts," DiFiore said.

Several upstate judicial districts have already entered phase two of the state plan, and their courts are continuing to reopen, DiFiore said. Masks and social distancing are required.

In the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Judicial Districts, essential family matters are being conducted in person, DiFiore said, while other matters are still held virtually. The goal is to increase courthouse foot traffic in a "gradual, controlled manner," DiFiore said, allowing the courts to adjust to new pandemic-related safety practices while continuing to expand physical access.

Schedules are staggered in the reopening courthouses, DiFiore said, to limit the number of people present at any one time, and administrative judges will continue to supervise the traffic flow and make adjustments as needed while the reopening process continues.

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