UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT
INRE: GENERAL ORDER
COURT OPERATIONS UNDER THE EXIGENT
CIRCUMSTANCES CREATED BY COVID-19
WHEREAS, the President of the United States has declared a national emergency, and
the Governor of the State of Connecticut has declared a public health emergency throughout the
State;
WHEREAS, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised people to
take precautions in light of the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus) outbreak, and has noted that the
best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus, through, among other means,
social distancing;
AND
WHEREAS, the Court continues to review its operations to identify measures that will
help slow the spread of the virus by minimizing contact between persons, while at the same time
preserving its core mission of serving the public through the fair and impartial administration of
justice;
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, effective immediately and through April 10, 2020, that:
I) All in-court (in-person) civil and criminal proceedings scheduled to commence on
or before April I 0, 2020, before any district or magistrate judge in any courthouse in the
District of Connecticut shall be CONTINUED pending further Order of the Court, with
the exceptions and under the procedures noted in paragraph 2 below;
2) During this period, the Court will handle, in court and without interruption,
presentment of new arrests, detention hearings, grand jury returns, and civil matters
requiring a prompt hearing under Fed. R. Civ. P. 65; in addition, each district or
magistrate judge may, in his or her discretion, choose to handle other matters in court (as
opposed to continuing the matter or handling it via video or teleconference) to the extent
each judge deems it necessary to do so in the interests of justice, after giving due
consideration to the public health risks presented by in-court appearances; each judge will
notify the parties through the CM/ECF system as to whether a particular proceeding
assigned to that judge and scheduled ·to occur on or before April I 0, 2020, will take place
as scheduled and, if so, whether the proceeding will occur in court or through remote
communication (i.e., video or telephone conference);
3) During this period, staff in the Clerk's Office will telework to the maximum
extent possible consistent with serving the needs of the public, except that limited staff
will be present at the Clerk's office at each seat of court to accept filings and answer
questions from the public during normal business hours. Telework policies applicable to
judges' chambers will be decided by each judge;
4) The Court will issue further orders concerning these matters in the coming weeks,
including orders that relate specifically to the Bankruptcy Court.
The District of Connecticut courthouses (including the facilities at 157 Church Street,
New Haven) remain open for all other business. Court staff not physically present at the
courthouse are equipped to work remotely, and will work normal hours during each business
day. Staff in the Clerk's Office are available by telephone, mail will be received, and intake
desks remain open �or filings. Electronic filings may still be made through the CM/ECF system.
The public is encouraged to continue utilizing Court services while following all applicable
public health guidelines.
SO ORDERED:
/s/ Stefan R. Underhill
Dated: /MA� /� 2bc{)
Bridgeport, CT St�n R. Underhill
Chief United States District Judge
