UMATILLA COUNTY — County circuit courts will be closed for three days over the next three months due to statewide furloughs brought on by coronavirus-induced budget cuts, a press release stated. 

The action comes from Oregon Chief Justice Martha Walters and means in-person and telephonic circuit court services will be closed for one day on the Fridays of May 29, June 26, and July 17. Employees have been notified that they will be on unpaid leave for each of those days, according to the release.

These closures, which will include courthouses in Pendleton, Hermiston and Heppner, are expected to save $500,000 each day to combat state budget shortfalls due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“It is very likely that further steps will be taken to reduce operating costs over the remaining months of the 2019-21 biennium,” the release stated.

Circuit courts will reopen for services the Mondays following the furlough days, the release stated, though people coming to court should expect to wear a face covering.

County government offices located within the courthouses will not be impacted by the closure, the release stated.