On December 7, 2020, Chief Judge Janet DiFiore announced that while there are high hopes for an incoming vaccine, Court operations are to be restricted for the time being. Specifically, staffing levels will be cut to 30% of normal capacity in New York City courtrooms and to 40% elsewhere. Virtual hearings will be held wherever possible, except for emergency matters in criminal, family and housing courts. This change is a rollback of the phased reopening plan formerly being implemented by the New York State Court System. As of this writing, there is statewide COVID-positive rate of 5% throughout New York, a marked increase.