MONROE — All in-person proceedings are suspended until further notice in Green County Circuit Court.

The emergency notice of the suspension came three days after the county's two judges, James Beer and Thomas Vale, suspended jury trials "until further notice" as part of a pandemic policy they signed Monday, March 16.

There are a few exceptions to the suspension, said Judicial Assistant Jennifer Prien. Emergency court hearings, such as a hearing about a restraining order, will still go on. Some hearings that were already set up for telephone appearance by all parties will remain on the court calendar.

But the vast majority of hearings are canceled and will be rescheduled.

Prien said she expected Vale to draft an updated pandemic policy by Friday, March 20.

While the Justice Center remains open, the Clerk of Courts office has locked its doors to the public and is no longer accepting cash payments. Visitors can drop off documents on a table in the hallway outside the office.

"We're trying to keep business going as well as we can while keeping people safe," Deputy Clerk of Court Carolyn Page said.

Circuit courts across the state are adopting similar provisions to minimize spread of the coronavirus. Lafayette County Circuit Court remains open, but jury trials scheduled before April 17 are being postponed.