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Note: The following is a release from the Communications Office of North Carolina’s Judicial Branch.

Chief Justice Paul Newby issued an order today extending emergency directives an additional 30 days in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The dangers posed by COVID-19 remain serious, and Chief Justice Newby’s order encourages local judicial officials to adopt appropriate safety precautions in addition to those mandated by the order. The emergency directives contained in the order expire on March 14, 2021.

The following emergency directives from the January 14, 2021, order remain in effect:

• Emergency Directive 2 (Persons likely exposed to COVID-19 should not enter the courthouse)
• Emergency Directive 3 (Remote proceedings)
• Emergency Directive 5 (Verification of pleadings and other filings)
• Emergency Directive 8 (Continued performance of marriage ceremonies)
• Emergency Directive 11 (COVID-19 coordinator)
• Emergency Directive 12 (COVID-19 prevention measures)
• Emergency Directive 14 (Submission of filings to clerk of court)
• Emergency Directive 15 (Extension of filing deadlines for mailed filings)
• Emergency Directive 21 (Face coverings in court facilities