A state senator whose Omaha law practice often takes him into the Douglas County Courthouse has raised the volume of his calls to close it, citing the recent diagnosis of COVID-19 for a county prosecuting attorney.

The deputy county attorney found out March 30 that he was infected. The more than 50 people he’d recently had close contact with at the courthouse – including eight judges, several colleagues and a dozen public defenders – now are supposed to isolate themselves for two weeks.

The courthouse spaces have since been deep cleaned.

State Sen. Justin Wayne, who is an Omaha attorney in private practice, told the Omaha World-Herald that he’d urged city and county officials to close the downtown building. The need is greater now, he said.

“In no way am I saying shut down the legal system – you can still have hearings by phone or by Zoom,” Wayne said. “I am saying, ‘Shut down the Douglas County Courthouse.’ Our physical presence is just not necessary.”

Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike Heavican issued an order last month requiring all of the state’s courts to remain open, while putting some restrictions in place.

State Court Administrator Corey Steel noted that local officials, not the state judiciary, control whether courthouses remain open.

The Douglas County Attorneys Office closed to the public last week following the prosecutor’s diagnosis.