NORTH GEORGIA – Both Gilmer and Fannin have received a new order entitled “Amended Third Order Extending Declaration of Judicial Emergency” closing and requiring deep cleaning for offices in the courthouses of both counties.

The order, sign by Superior Court Chief Judge Brenda Weaver of the Appalachian Judicial Circuit, states that a number of courthouse employees are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 and are awaiting testing results. Due to this the Chief Judge conferred with Board of Commissioner (BOC) Chairmen from each county and has declared the situation beyond the ability to continue with regular work.

The court has ordered that the counties deep clean and keep closed the following offices:

• Fannin County Superior Court Judge
• Fannin County Juvenile Court Judge
• Fannin County Clerk of Superior and Juvenile Courts
• Fannin County Probate Court
• Fannin County Magistrate Court
• Fannin County District Attorney
• Fannin County CASA
• Gilmer County Superior Court Judge
• Gilmer County Juvenile Court Judge
• Gilmer County Clerk of Superior and Juvenile Courts
• Gilmer County Probate Court
• Gilmer County Magistrate Court
• Gilmer County District Attorney
• Gilmer County Misdemeanor Probation
• Gilmer County CASA

Additionally, Gilmer County has also closed the offices of the Gilmer County Tax Assessor and the Gilmer County Tax Commissioner. These offices are also ordered to perform a deep cleaning and remain closed until further orders are given.

Just as with the previous Judicial Emergency Orders, Remote Videoconference hearings are being utilized and scheduled. The order states that all other provisions of the previous order are still in effect.

This all comes after the announcements of some of Gilmer and Fannin Elected Officials and Courts closing earlier today due to COVID-19 exposures.