A spokesperson for the Magistrates' Court of Victoria said all magistrates' courts, including those in Bendigo, Maryborough, Castlemaine, Kyneton and Echuca, were currently operating as scheduled.

"At this stage, there has been minimal disruption to court lists and matters," the spokesperson said.

"We are carefully monitoring the COVID-19 situation and following advice from state and federal governments."

Certain measures have already been introduced to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 in Victoria's courts and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, but further actions are being investigated.

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and chair of the Courts Council, Anne Ferguson, said these could include staggering court times to prevent crowds in the morning, increasing the capacity for conferencing and hearings to be conducted via videolink, prioritising cases, offering remote work options where possible, and managing some cases without in-court appearances.

The measures already in place include more cleaning, hand sanitiser in public areas, the cancellation of non-essential meetings, no admissions ceremonies for new lawyers, and the suspension of the VCE education program, work placements, and Judicial College of Victoria courses.

For more information on coronavirus and its impacts in central Victoria, click here.

County and Supreme Court trials in which a jury has not already been empanelled are postponed until further notice.

Where a jury has already been selected, the trial will go ahead.

"This precautionary decision was made after consideration of the latest expert health and government advice and recognises that members of the community may hold concerns about attending court in large groups," Chief Justice Ferguson said.

The next County Court trial in Bendigo was scheduled to begin this week.

In all, 12 jury trials were forecast to be held in the County Court in Bendigo over the next three months.

However, other factors could have seen them delayed or their dates changed, regardless of the coronavirus threat.

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal will continue to hear matters as usual.

Related: All the central Victorian events cancelled because of COVID-19

A Department of Justice and Community Safety spokesperson said there had been no cases of the virus detected in the state's prisons or youth justice centres.

There are three custodial facilities in the region: Loddon Prison, Tarrengower Prison, and the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre.

Corrections and Youth Justice staff have been given information on symptoms of COVID-19, and potential risks and procedures for managing the virus.

Prisoners and young people entering these facilities are screened, and visitors and staff are asked not to enter if they could pose a risk.

"Justice Health, Corrections Victoria and Youth Justice have established processes for preventing and managing communicable diseases in custody, including isolation protocols and ensuring close consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services," the spokesperson said.

Anyone affected by COVID-19 or concerned that a health matter might affect their ability to attend a scheduled matter in a court should contact that court as soon as possible.

Magistrates' court business hours and phone numbers are:

VCAT can be reached on 1300 01 8228.

The County Court's contact details are:

The Supreme Court should be contacted at prothonotary@supcourt.vic.gov.au.

The Federal Circuit Court, which has a Bendigo circuit beginning in May, can be reached on 1300 352 000.

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