Judge Moran Will Not Issue “Shelter in Place” at Present Time

TYLER — Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran told KTBB on Monday, “I have no intention to sign a shelter in place order for Smith County at this time. That would further restrict the activities of citizens and businesses as a result of COVID-19.” Moran continued, “One of the things I want to continue to stand on is this matter of individual freedom of choice. As a governmental entity we should not act quickly to impose regulatory authority over citizens. It is something in a time of crisis, that many are apt to do, but that is something that I do not want to do.”

On March 13, Governor Greg Abbott declared a State of Disaster for all Counties in Texas. Governor Abbott followed that declaration up with his first Executive Order last Thursday, relating to COVID-19 preparedness and mitigation, which established certain limitations on activities of daily living including the prohibition of social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people and curtailing the operations of certain businesses. On Sunday,the Governor signed an additional Executive Order relating to hospital capacity during the COVID-19 disaster, which imposed certain limitations on health care professionals and licensed health care facilities. In his press conference announcing this second Executive Order, the Governor noted that he did not intend to impose a state-wide “shelter in place” order, but would leave that decision to local authorities.

According to Judge Moran, “The most effective manner of combating the spread of COVID-19 within our community has been and remains the personal choices of each individual and business to utilize strict sanitary habits, keep a safe distance from others, self-isolate when becoming symptomatic, and operationalize business practices that are consistent with reducing the spread of COVID-19. No amount of government regulation—whether on the local, state or national level, can serve as an adequate substitute for the personal choices of our citizens. And, government should use all due restraint before impairing the personal freedoms of those it governs—especially during a time of crisis.”

Judge Moran acknowledged that the spread of COVID-19 is likely going to increase in the community in the coming weeks, and that additional local regulatory orders may be necessary at the county level, but insisted that such orders coming from his office, if necessary, would be narrowly tailored and would utilize the least restrictive means possible to protect citizens.