The highest-ranking federal court in United States is shuttering its services to the public indefinitely after it was reported that a Department of Justice lawyer may be infected with the coronavirus.
A banner across the U.S. Supreme Court’s website said the court would be closed “until further notice” amid rising concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
“Out of concern for the health and safety of the public and Supreme Court employees, the Supreme Court Building will be closed to the public from 4:30 p.m. on March 12, 2020, until further notice,” the banner said. “The Building will remain open for official business, and case filing deadlines are not extended under Rule 30.1.”
In an email from Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt, employees at the Department of Justice learned an unnamed lawyer, who traveled to California recently, is headed into self-quarantine after displaying symptoms that appear “presumptively” positive.
The lawyer appeared in court in San Francisco last week before returning to Washington, D.C. A DOJ building was disinfected after employees left Wednesday.
There is no word yet on how the court will proceed with arguments scheduled for March 23 and beyond.
