Federal courthouses in Sacramento, Fresno, Modesto closed to public due to coronavirus

All federal courthouses in the Sacramento-based Eastern District of California have been ordered close to the public because of the ongoing coronavirus crisis and trials have been continued to May 1.

An order signed Wednesday by Chief U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller orders hearings and other matters to be held by telephone or videoconference unless an exception is made by a judge for matters that do not require the presence of a jury.

The order is aimed at protecting the health of jurors, witnesses, attorneys and staff and affects through May 1 the Robert T. Matsui federal courthouse at 5th and I streets in Sacramento, as well as courthouses in Fresno, Redding, Bakersfield, Yosemite and Modesto.

“In light of the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, all courthouses of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California shall be closed to the public,” Mueller’s order states. “Only persons having official court business as authorized by a Judge of the District Court or the Bankruptcy Court, or a healthy building tenant having official business on behalf of a tenant agency, may enter courthouse property.”