Govt Issues ‘Karnataka Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020’
Mangaluru: “The Karnataka Government Secretariat Vikasa Soudha Bangalore issued a notification Whereas the Government of Karnataka is satisfied that the State is visited by or threatened with, an outbreak of COVID-19, which is a dangerous epidemic disease and the State Government is of the opinion that ordinary provisions of law for the time being in force are insufficient for the purpose. Therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred under section 2, 3 and 4 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 (Central Act 3 of 1897), the Government of Karnataka is pleased to issue the following temporary regulations regarding COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019) and to take special measures to be observed by the public to prevent the outbreak of the said disease or spread thereof, said the Deputy Commissioner Sindhu Roopesh in a press meet held at the DC office here on March 11.
These regulations may be called “The Karnataka Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020”
“Epidemic Disease” in these regulations includes COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019).
The authorized person under these regulations are Director, Health and Family Welfare Services, Director Medical Education at State Level and Deputy Commissioner, District Health Officer (DHO) and District Surgeon (DS) in the Districts, Taluka Health Officer in the Talukas, in respect of BBMP the Chief Health Officer and Officers as authorized by the Department of Health and Family Welfare from time to time.
All Hospitals (Government and Private) should have Flu corners for the screening of suspected cases of COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019).
All Hospitals (Government and Private) during the 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 to the history of coming in contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 shall be recorded.
-In case the person has any such history in the last 14 days and the person is asymptomatic then the Person must be kept in home quarantine for 28 days from the day of exposure
-In case the person has any such history in the last 14 days and the person is symptomatic as per case definition of Covid – 19, the person must be isolated in a hospital as per protocol and will be tested for COVID – 19 as per protocol.
– Information of all such cases should be given to the Office of District Health and Family Welfare of the concerned district immediately.
No person/institution /organization shall use any print or electronic media to spread misinformation regarding COVID-19. This is to avoid the spread of any rumour or unauthenticated information regarding COVID-19. In case any person/institution/organization is found indulging in such activity it will be treated as a punishable offence under these regulations.
No private laboratory has been authorized to take or test samples for COVID-19 in the state of Karnataka. All such samples shall be collected as per guidelines of Government of India and these shall be sent to the designated laboratory by the district nodal officer of the department of health and family welfare of the concerned district.
Any person with a history of travel in the last 14 days to a country Or area from where COVID-19 has been reported must report to the nearest Government hospital or call at toll-free helpline number 104 so that necessary measures if required, may be initiated by the department of health and family welfare.
All persons with a history of travel to a country or area from where COVID-19 has been reported in the last 14 days, but who do not have any SymptOms 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 a period of 14 days from the date of arrival from such area.
Authorized persons as per regulation 3 of these regulations are authorized under this Act to admit a person and isolate the person if required in case he/she has history of visit to an area where COVID-19 endemic or has come in contact with a person of that area and the concerned person is symptomatic.
If a suspected case of COVID-19 refuses admission or isolation, the offices authorised in section 3 of these regulations shall 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 the lab tests are received, or such period as may be necessary.
1f cases of COVID-19 are reported from a defined geographic area such as village, town, city, ward, colony, settlement etc, the district administration of the concerned district shall have the right to implement the following containment measures, but not limited to these, in order to prevent the spread of the disease.
(a) Sealing of the geographical area
(b) barring entry and exit of the population from the containment area.
(c) Closure of schools, offices and banning public gatherings.
(d) Banning vehicular movement in the area.
(e) Initiating active and passive surveillance of COVID-19 cases
(f) Isolation of all suspected cases in the hospitals.
(g) Designating any government /private building as a containment unit for isolation of the cases.
(h) Stall of all government departments shall be at the disposal of district administration of the concerned area for discharging the duty of containment measures.
(i)Any other measures as directed by the department of health and family welfare to prevent/contain the spread of COVID-19
District Disaster Management Committee headed by Deputy Commissioner is authorized to prepare the planning strategy regarding containment measures for COVID — 19 in their respective districts The Deputy Commissioner may co-opt officers from different Departments in the District Disaster Management Committee for this activity under these regulations.
Penalty Any person/institution/organization found violating any provisions of these regulations shall be deemed to have committed an offence punishable Under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860). Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department of deputy commissioner of District may penalize any person/institution/organization if found violating provisions Of these regulations or any further orders issued by Government under these regulations after giving him an opportunity of being heard.
Protection to person acting under these regulations: No suit or legal proceedings shall lie against any person for anything done or intended to be done in good faith under these regulations unless proved otherwise.
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.
