Punjab Infectious Diseases (Prevention and Control) Ordinance, 2020
Punjab Infectious Diseases (Prevention and Control) Ordinance, 2020 was promulgated on 27th March, 2020 while provincial assembly was not in session. Under the Ordinance the Director General Health is given the power to prohibit or impose restrictions in relation to holding of events and gathering on the occupier of premises, organizer of events and/or any person who is holding such event or gathering. The Director General Health is also empowered to close or restrict entry into or exit from a premises. Under the Ordinance a medical officer (as notified) may after having informed about a potentially infectious person, direct such person to proceed to a specified place which is suitable for screening and assessment and remain there for a maximum period of forty days (40 days). A Relief Commission under Punjab National Calamities (Prevention and Relief) Act, 1958 may take such steps which he deem necessary to provide relief to persons affected by an infectious disease. The Deputy Commissioner of a district is empowered to ensure compliance of an order, direction, restriction, requirement or any other measure under the Ordinance.
A revision against the order of a notified medical officer can be filed before a board comprising the Commissioner of the respective division can be made to the board comprising the Commissioner of the respective division.
Bar to the Courts: No order made under the Ordinance shall be called in question in any court and no civil or criminal proceeding shall be instituted against any person for anything done in good faith against any person for any loss or damage caused to, or in respect fo any property whereof possession has been taken under the Ordinance.
The Ordinance has repealed the Punjab Epidemic Diseases Act, 1958.
