GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Chandigarh Administration Gazette
Published by Authority
NO. 32] CHANDIGARH, SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2020 (PHALGUNA 24, 1941 SAKA) DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE
CHANDIGARH ADMINISTRATION
Notification
The 13th March, 2020
No. EPI/ADM/2020/01.—In exercise of the powers conferred under section 2, 3 & 4 of The Epidemic Disease Act, 1897, the Administrator, Union Territory of Chandigarh is pleased to issue following regulations regarding COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019) :—
1. These regulations may be called The Chandigarh Epidemic Disease, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020.
2. "Epidemic Disease" in these regulations means COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019).
3. Authorized persons under this act are Director Health & Family Welfare, Director-Principal Government Medical College & Hospital, Deputy Commissioner, SDMs (Central, East & South), Senior Medical Officers and officers as authorized by Department of Health and Family Welfare, Chandigarh Administration.
4. All Hospitals (Government & Private) should have Flu corners for screening of suspected cases of COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019).
5. All Hospitals (Government & Private) during screening of such cases shall record the history of travel of the person if he/she has travelled to any country or area where COVID-19 has been reported. In addition the history of coming in contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 shall be recorded.
I. In case the person has any such history in last 14 days and the person is asymptomatic then the person must be kept in home quarantine for 14 days from the day of exposure.
II. In case the person has any such history in last 14 days and the person is symptomatic as per case definition of COVID-19, the said person must be isolated in a hospital as per protocol and will be tested for COVID-19 as per protocol.
III. Information of all such cases should be given to office of Director Health & Family Welfare, Chandigarh Administration immediately.
6. No person/Institution/Organization will use any print or electronic media for information regarding COVID-19 without prior permission of the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Chandigarh Administration. This is to avoid spread of any rumor or unauthenticated information regarding COVID-19. In case any
( 415 )416 CHD. ADMN. GAZ., MARCH 14, 2020 (PHGN 24, 1941 SAKA) person/institution/organization is found indulging in such activity, it will be treated as a punishable offence under these regulations.
7. No Private laboratory has been authorized to take or test samples for COVID-19 in the Union Territory of Chandigarh. All such samples will be collected as per guidelines of Govt. of India and these will be sent to designated laboratories by the Nodal Officer of he designated hospital of Department of Health and Family Welfare, Chandigarh Administration.
8. Any person with a history of travel in last 14 days to a country or area from where COVID-19 has been reported, must report to nearest Government Hospital or call at helpline number 9779558282 so that necessary measures if required may be initiated by the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Chandigarh Administration.
9. All persons with a history of travel to a country or area from where COVID-19 has been reported in last 14 days , but who do not have any symptoms of cough, fever, difficulty in breathing, should isolate themselves at home and cover their mouth and nose with a mask. Such persons must take precautions to avoid contact with any person including family members for 14 days from the date of arrival from such areas.
10. Authorized persons as per section 3 of these regulations are authorized under this act to admit a person and isolate the person if required in case he/she has a history of visit to an area where COVID-19 is endemic and the concerned person is symptomatic.
11. If a suspected case of COVID-19 refuses admission or isolation, the officers authorized in section 3 of these regulations will have powers to forcefully admit and isolate such case for a period of 14 days from the onset of symptoms or till the reports of lab tests are received, or such period as may be necessary.
12. If cases of COVID-19 are reported from a defined geographic area such as sector, village, ward, colony, Chandigarh Administration shall have the right to implement following containment measures, but not limited to these, in order to prevent spread of the disease.
(i) Sealing of the geographical area.
(ii) Barring entry and exit of population from the containment area.
(iii) Closure of schools, offices and banning public gatherings.
(iv) Banning vehicular movement in the area.
(v) Initiating active and passive surveillance of COVID-19 cases.
(vi) Hospital isolation of all suspected cases.
(vii) Designating any Government/building as containment unit for isolation of the cases.
(viii) Staff of all Government departments will be at disposal of Chandigarh Administration for discharging the duty of containment measures.
(ix) Any other measure as directed by Department of Health & Family Welfare, Chandigarh Administration.
13. The Disaster Management Committee headed by Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh is authorized for planning strategy regarding containment measures for COVID-19 in the Union Territory of Chandigarh. The Deputy Commissioner may co-opt more officers from different departments for District Disaster Management Committee for this activity under these regulations.
14. Penalty: Any person/institution/organization found violating any provision of these regulations shall be deemed to have committed an offence punishable under section188 of Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
CHD. ADMN. GAZ., MARCH 14, 2020 (PHGN 24, 1941 SAKA) 417The Deputy Commissioner U.T., Chandigarh may penalize any person/institution/organization if found violating provisions of these regulations or any further orders issued by Chandigarh Administration under these regulations.
15. Protection to person acting under Act: No suit or legal proceeding shall lie against any person for anything done or intended to be done in good faith under this act unless proved otherwise.
16. These regulations shall come into force immediately and shall remain valid for a period of one year from the date of publication of this notification.
ARUN KUMAR GUPTA, IAS,
Principal Secretary Health, Chandigarh Administration.
"No legal responsibility is accepted for the contents of publication of advertisements/public notices in this part of the Chandigarh
Administration Gazette. Persons notifying the advertisements/public notices will remain solely responsible for the legal
consequences and also for any other misrepresentation etc. "
0048—Ptg. & Sty. Deptt., U.T., Chd.