Moran

After Dallas County and the state of Louisiana issued a shelter in place order this weekend, Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran announced Monday that at this time he has no intention of signing such an order.

A news release Monday stated that a shelter in place order would further restrict activities of Smith County residents and businesses due to the coronavirus.

“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,” Moran said. “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.”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster across all of Texas on March 13. An executive order last Thursday established limitations on activities, such as not allowing social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people, closing schools and gyms, and only having drive-thru and pick-up orders for restaurants.

In his press conference on Sunday, Abbott said he did not intend to impose a statewide shelter in place order, and he would leave the decision up to local officials. He also implemented limitations on health care professionals and licensed health care facilities.

Moran said in the news release that orders coming from his office, if needed, will use the least restrictive means to protect citizens.

“A generalized shelter in place order for Smith County would be a decision of last resort here locally, and one that I would only consider at the request of the Local Health Authority, which has not happened to date,” Moran said.