As of today, March 29, 2020, City of Nacogdoches Mayor Shelley Brophy and Nacogdoches
County Judge Greg Sowell have amended the original disaster declarations and issued separate
but joint stay home, stay safe orders to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This comes in
response to recommendations from local medical professionals after evidence of potential
community spread and the county health physician stating this effort is “medically necessary.”
The order states all individuals in Nacogdoches county are to stay home, with exceptions,
effective noon, March 30, 2020. Those who fail to comply with these orders are punishable to a
fine up to $1,000 or confinement in jail for up to 180 days.
“I don’t take this decision lightly or without considerable forethought to how it will affect our
community,” said Judge Greg Sowell. “We’re at the point where only stringent measures to
maximize social distancing will combat the spread of this virus. We can not allow our hospitals
and healthcare workers to be overwhelmed.”
Under the stay home, stay safe order, Nacogdoches leaders hope to preserve public health and
safety and ensure the local healthcare system is capable of serving all.
“We encourage members of the public not to panic. The city has an emergency response plan in
place, and we are following it closely,” said Mayor Shelley Brophy. “Essential city services will
continue to be provided.”
Links to Declaration of Public Health Emergency Regarding Covid-19 from the County and City
of Nacogdoches.
This declaration will last until 12:59 pm on April 7, 2020, or until it is either rescinded,
superseded, or amended.
For information on how this pertains to your business, email info@nactx.us—phone inquiries
will not be accepted at this time.
Stay Home Order Overview
Beginning at 12 noon tomorrow, March 30, 2020, Mayor Brophy and Judge Sowell are ordering
all individuals living within the City and County of Nacogdoches to stay home and travel only
to perform essential activities, essential government functions, or to operate essential
businesses as outlined here. Please read the order carefully to see how daily activities and
business will be impacted.
The following are four categories of allowed activities:
1. Activities related to maintaining the health and safety of their family, household
members, and their pets. Examples are seeking emergency services, obtaining medical
supplies or medication, and visiting a healthcare professional. This includes caring for a
family member or pet in another household.
2. Activities to obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves, their family and
household, including groceries or food (such as from curbside or drive-thru pickup from
restaurants), pet supplies and pet food, supplies needed to work from home and consumer
products, and picking up materials for distance learning or school-provided meals.
3. Outdoor activity, such as walking, running or cycling, but only if social distancing is
upheld, such as staying six feet away from other people.
4. Working for an exempted business or government that is providing essential services
or products needed by the public during this crisis, which is explained in detail below.
All public and private gatherings consisting of more than 10 individuals or any gathering beyond
anyone other than a person’s own household or family are prohibited.
Stay Safe Order
The Mayor and Judge have also ordered all businesses to close and stop operations other than
minimum basic operations such as allowing employees to work from home, maintaining security
and maintenance of the business’ property, and facilitating information technology services that
allow employees to work from home.
Businesses and organizations that are providing products and services that are needed by
the community during this crisis are exempt. The followed exempt businesses may continue
operating, provided they exercise proper social distancing:
● Healthcare operations, including hospitals, clinics, dentists, pharmaceutical companies,
healthcare facilities and suppliers, home-based care and residential facilities for seniors
and children, and veterinary care;
● Essential infrastructure including construction, water, sewer, gas, electrical, roads and
solid waste collection and removal, internet, telecommunications systems, first
responders, emergency management personnel, law enforcement, emergency dispatchers,
animal shelters;
● Government functions as determined by the government entity to perform those
functions provided social distancing requirements are met;
● Businesses related to food sales, delivery, and cultivation such as grocery stores,
farmers markets, food banks, convenience stores, food and good delivery operations, pet
suppliers, liquor stores, farming, livestock, and fishing;
● Charitable organizations providing food, shelter and social services to economically
disadvantaged or vulnerable populations, including animals;
● Businesses engaged in the sales, transporting, and licensing of firearms, knives,
ammunition and gun supplies.
● News media, including newspapers, television, radio and other media outlets providing
information to the public;
● Businesses related to transportation, including gas stations, repair shops, car
dealerships, manufacturers, and recreational vehicle suppliers and sales;
● Financial institutions, such as banks, credit unions and title companies;
● Hardware and construction supply stores;
● Companies providing or maintaining services necessary to maintain safety, sanitation,
and essential operation of residences, activities, and businesses, such as mail and
shipping companies, laundromats, dry cleaners, building maintenance, plumbers,
electricians, exterminators, janitorial and maintenance services, funeral industry, and
professional services, such as legal or accounting services, insurance, and real estate
services;
● Restaurants and food service offering drive-thru and pick-up services only;
● Businesses that supply products for people to work from home or business to operate;
● Public and private transportation services providing essential travel, such as buses,
taxis, rideshare companies and the airport;
● Childcare services for exempted workers to perform essential activities and work;
● Religious services, provided services are distributed by video, teleconference or other
remote measures.
The Nacogdoches Coronavirus Call Center is available Monday-Friday, 9am to 4 pm. Concerned
citizens can call 936-468-4787 for screening and scheduled testing.