Kingfisher County Associate District Judge Lance Schneiter sent an email to the county legal community Tuesday morning advising that the court clerk’s office, courtroom and judicial offices are closed temporarily after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.

Kingfisher County Commissioner Heath Dobrovolny, Dist. 3, confirmed that the court clerk’s office will be closed to the public until test results return for the rest of the staff.

“There is a dropbox in the courthouse lobby to drop off paperwork for the court clerk’s office and county personnel in the lobby to direct foot traffic,” he said.

Due to reduced staffing in the court clerk’s office until testing is completed, Schneiter requested that parties hold off on filing documents if possible to avoid a backlog.

“No one is experiencing any symptoms at this time which is good news but we are taking a conservative approach to ensure the safety of all those in the courthouse,” Schneiter said.

“Everyone potentially exposed is getting tested so as soon as those results are back we should return to normal function.”

Schneiter said the first test result came back in 48 hours so he’s hoping the closure won’t be for more than two to four days.

All other county offices remain open to the public, Dobrovolny said.