Lancaster Courts
Lancaster Courts

Lancaster County Coronavirus Response

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We intend to continue the highest level of service to our members and the public while also cooperating to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the weeks to come. We will keep monitoring the situation closely and reassessing week by week. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this extraordinary time.

The Lancaster Bar Association office, located at 28 East Orange Street, Lancaster, PA 17602, will be closed until further notice in order to limit public interactions within our space. Our staff will work remotely and be available to return voicemails and emails. 

We will evaluate this fast-moving situation throughout the weeks to come and will post updates here to address this situation. 

 

 

 

Lancaster County Updates:  (click on each update to read the full notice)

For Announcements on the Status of Court Operations:

Overview of the Coronavirus Outbreak:

During the week of February 23, the first incidence of “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”) was reported in the United States. COVID-19 is a novel (new) coronavirus—named “SARS-CoV-2”—which causes a respiratory illness whose symptoms can range from mild to severe. The illness was first detected in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, before spreading into other countries. The first U.S. cases have been the result of importation via travelers from Wuhan and their close contacts.

Clinical information currently suggests that most cases are mild, with serious illness occurring in about 16% of cases. Those prone to serious occurrences of the disease are older people, those with underlying health issues, such as heart disease and diabetes, and those with compromised immune systems. Symptoms, such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath, can appear 2–14 days after exposure. The disease is believed to be spread through the mucus membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth, and via airborne droplets from coughing or sneezing.

Where can I learn more about COVID-19?

Information and advice from the CDC about COVID-19 is available here. If you experience symptoms and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or who has recently traveled from an area currently experiencing an outbreak, the CDC recommends that you call your doctor.

Additional Resources:

  • LCL-PA RESOURCES FOR THE LEGAL PROFESSION DURING COVID-19

Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers has provided this comprehensive list of resources for legal professionals struggling with mental health and substance abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Provides information on what you should know about the disease, including how it spreads, symptoms, prevention and treatment, testing, and frequently asked questions. It also provides daily situation updates and information for communities, schools, businesses, and travel.

Provides advice for the public, daily situation updates, travel advice, and country-specific information.

Updates regarding health and safety in Lancaster County, as well as closures and emergency alerts. 

Frequent updates on the status of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania, guidance on getting your household prepared for an outbreak, and advice on large gatherings and community events.

Designed for the courts and useful to practitioners, this benchbook provides a glossary of public health-related terminology, analysis and background information for some of the legal issues a court may be called upon to consider when a major health issue arises, model orders, and a table of cases.

Provides information to firms and businesses regarding the sick leave rights of their employees.

All Social Security Administration offices are CLOSED until further notice. All online and phone services are still available. Please call 1 (800) 772-1213 or visit the website for online services. Hours for online services are the following: Weekdays: 5 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Saturday: 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday: 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

The income tax filing deadline has been EXTENDED until July 15, 2020.

The United States Bureau of Prisons has suspended all social and legal in-person visitation. For more information on the BOP’s modified operations during the pandemic, please visit their coronavirus overview page found here.

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections has suspended all in-person visitation to state prisons. They now offer video visitation.

 

If you or someone you know has been the target or victim of a fraud scheme related to the coronavirus, please report the incident to the national hotline at The National Center for Disaster Fraud at 1-866-720-5721 or at disaster@leo.gov.