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WILKES-BARRE &mdash; Luzerne County Central Court where most preliminary hearings are held in criminal cases was abruptly closed Wednesday morning due COVID-19 concerns.
				President Judge Michael T. Vough said the wife of an attorney tested positive for the virus. The attorney was inside Central Court on Tuesday and alerted court officials.
				&ldquo;An attorney who was present in Central Court found out his wife tested positive and alerted us,&rdquo; Vough said. &ldquo;We closed the place this morning and will be closed until we get the building cleaned.&rdquo;
				The abrupt closing Wednesday morning did not deter several attorneys and defendants in criminal cases from showing up for preliminary hearings. They were met with a sign on the door that the building was shut down until further notice.
				Central Court, located on Water Street next to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility, has altered its schedule and procedures due to the coronavirus outbreak.
				A tent was erected in the parking lot where defendants check-in and wait until their case is called. A sheriff deputy previously checked temperatures of all those entering Central Court but that process has since ended.
				Plexiglas was installed separating Central Court clerks and judges from attorneys, police officers and defendants who are instructed to stay six-feet away from the bench.
				Central Court has also increased its use in conducting virtual proceedings with district judges appearing from their home courtrooms on laptop computers.
				Masks are required for everyone entering Central Court.
				Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, defendants released on bail waited inside resulting in standing-room only situations.
				Vough said Central Court will reopen once the building is cleaned.

Luzerne County Central Court shut down amid COVID-19 concern