Members of the public looking to access the Kingston and St Andrew Family Court will find themselves in difficulty effective today (January 17), as the facility is “closed until further notice”.

According to a statement from the Court Administration Division (CAD), the Duke Street-based court is struggling to cope with a rising number of coronavirus (COVID-19) infections among staff.

Kadiesh Fletcher, director of communication and information at the CAD, while not giving a possible timeline for the reopening of the family court, explained that emergency matters will still be heard by the Maxfield Avenue-based Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court – Criminal Division.

For the CAD’s distinction, emergency matters include “child maintenance, domestic violence, matters involving children in conflict with the law” as well as “any other matter deemed to be an emergency by the Judge of the Family Court”.

The Judiciary of Jamaica also urged citizens to take extra precautions to protect themselves and others from further spread of COVID-19.