Hamilton provincial offences courts closed due to coronavirus

In another effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the city of Hamilton is stopping provincial offences court services until further notice.

"Courtrooms are closed effective Monday, March 16, 2020 at 8 am up to and including April 3, 2020," reads a statement from the city.

All court appearances at 50 Main Street East during that time are cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later date.

The provincial offencesadministration office will remain open, offeringlimited service such asticket payments and applying to reopena matter. As well, members of the public are encouraged to access payment and other services online, says the city.

This follows a move on Saturday that sawlibraries, rec centres, museums, arenas and more shut down as COVID-19 cases pop up throughout the region.

Hamilton has five confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus including athree-month-old child, a couple in their 60s, a 52-year-old man and one other person.