The Nebraska Supreme Court issued a second, updated order regarding COVID-19 last week.

Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael G. Heavican issued the administrative order on April 6, updating his March 12 order. The new order still requires attorneys to promptly notify opposing counsel and the courts if they reasonably suspect a participant in a scheduled hearing, trial, conference, deposition or other proceeding is at elevated risk for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

Courts remain open in Nebraska and will remain so unless ordered closed by Heavican. However, the Douglas County Courthouse and other judicial buildings have restricted access and some courts have continued certain proceedings, such as jury trials.

“It is essential that our state courts continue to operate during the Novel Coronavirus and COVID-19 public health emergency,” Heavican said in a statement shared by the Nebraska Judicial Branch.

The impact of COVID-19 is not limited to eastern Nebraska courts, either.

“You feel like you are recreating the wheel for everything you do, and the stress is compounded by the expectations of the public,” Hall County Clerk of the District Court Valorie Bendixen said on the Judicial Branch’s website, supremecourt.nebraska.gov.

Grand Island courts are facing regular cases along with preparations for a complex murder trial with a jury, all while dealing with the coronavirus outbreak.

Bendixen said jury summons, even for appearances months in advance, are trigging anxiety and anger on the part of potential jurors.

“Everyone is experiencing this, we are no different,” Bendixen said. “This is hard for everyone.”

In Lincoln, the Nebraska Supreme Court conducted oral arguments via conference call. Only four people – Heavican, bailiff Allyson Stewart, deputy administrator Jennifer Rasmussen and technology staff member Anh Nguyen – were physically present in the room.

Sixteen of the 20 cases called for April will be evaluated on briefs, skipping oral argument altogether.

The Nebraska Judical Branch has more information about COVID-19 orders, prepardness and response efforts at bit.ly/nebctcovid.