The court has mandated that all court attendants from Monday must wear N-95 or K-95 face masks. Should one of the 12 get sick, alternate jurors could be called on to take their place, however it could cause a delay in the deliberation.

Earlier, Maxwell’s lawyers, Bobbi Sternheim and Laura Menninger, were seen high-fiving each other in court, though it was not clear what it was about. Ms Maxwell, in a green sweater and black trousers, appeared relaxed.

The jury of six men and six women have now deliberated for 16 hours and 20 minutes. They were given the option to continue deliberating on Thursday, but declined as some jurors had already made plans after they were told the court would not sit so close to Christmas.

It came just before the jury, which began their consideration late Monday afternoon, asked the judge to see a copy of the testimony given by Kate, a British alleged victim of Ms Maxwell’s, and Epstein’s former Palm Beach House manager Juan Alessi.