STEPHENS COUNTY, Texas — Stephens County Judge Michael Roach issued a shelter in place order for the county, effective at 11:59 p.m. March 23, for the county, which includes the City of Breckenridge. The order will continue until further order by the commissioner's court and city government.
There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Stephens County, but Roach said the order is a preventative measure.
"Hey folks, listen, it is all over Texas. We have COVID-19 all around us," Roach said in a Facebook video. "If we wait until we have a confirmed case, it's way too late."
Roach said the county asked people to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines voluntarily, "now voluntarily is not an option anymore."
Shelter in place, the judge explained to citizens, doesn't mean you cannot leave your house to go to work, or to the grocery store.
"Shelter in place means you stay at home unless you have an essential need to get out of your house," he said.
Those not complying with the order could face up to 180 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
