Washington (CNN) The Supreme Court will hear major cases on President Donald Trump's financial documents, religious freedom and the Electoral College via telephone next month and make oral arguments available for live audio broadcast in an unprecedented move.

The announcement comes as the country is grappling with the coronavirus pandemic and it means that the justices will move into new territory, asking their questions over a phone line in lieu of the usual back and forth dialogue in their august courtroom.

"In keeping with public health guidance in response to Covid-19, the justices and counsel will all participate remotely," the court said in a statement.

No justices will be in the courtroom and there will be no on-camera component, court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg confirmed.

Oral arguments will be heard on May 4-6 and May 11-13, but the specific dates for each case are yet to be determined, the court said.

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