Montgomery County judge says he won’t issue stay-at-home orders

Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough explains his decision not issue a stay-at-home order during a Montgomery County Commissioners Court meeting, Tuesday, March 24, 2020, in Conroe. Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough explains his decision not issue a stay-at-home order during a Montgomery County Commissioners Court meeting, Tuesday, March 24, 2020, in Conroe. Photo: Jason Fochtman/Staff Photographer Photo: Jason Fochtman/Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 11 Caption Close Montgomery County judge says he won’t issue stay-at-home orders 1 / 11 Back to Gallery

While county leaders around the state are issuing stay-at-home orders as COVID-19 cases climb, County Judge Mark Keough said Tuesday he will not implement similar orders for Montgomery County.

As Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo hosted a press conference to announce a stay at home order, Keough released a statement that he would not follow her lead.

“I believe they mean well and I believe they are trying to do the right thing for their people, but the fact of the matter is they have so many exemptions in (their order) that we have already allowed for,” Keough said, referencing an order he signed March 18. “To add additional orders on top of that to restrict us in more of our freedom (is) not what we are doing in Montgomery County.”

In the March 18 order, all restaurants must cease all onsite dining operations but may continue to-go, takeout, delivery and catering operations. Additionally, all bars, clubs, gyms, movie theaters and amusement type businesses must cease all operations.

The order cancels any event sponsored or permitted by Montgomery County and events greater than 10 people at public facilities. Keough urged events greater than 10 people at private facilities to cease operations as well.

Retail stores, private businesses, clubs or civic organizations and religious organizations to include churches, synagogues, mosques or other places of worship are urged to comply with the CDC guidelines related to 10 persons gathering in any one place or at one time.

Retail stores who sell groceries or medical supplies are exempt from the order.

The order is in effect through April 3.

As of Monday, the county has logged 19 cases of COVID-19. Nine of those, Keough noted, are in south Montgomery County. The reason, he added, is a higher concentration of people. None of the 19 cases were in the city of Conroe.

cdominguez@hcnonline.com