In an effort to deal sternly with the people circulating ‘fake’ messages relating to Coronavirus, the Maharashtra Government has warned that any person/institution/organization “is found indulging in such activity” will be punished under the just notified regulations under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.
Having invoked the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 on Saturday, the State Government wants to put regulation number six which deals with dissemination of fake messages in print, electronic and social media, to an effective use.
The Regulation Six of the notification under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 on March 14, 2020 reads thus: “No person/Institution/organisation will use any print or electronic or social media for dissemination of any information regarding Covid-19 without ascertaining facts and prior clearance of the concerned authorities.
The authorities, whose prior clearance is essential for dissemination of any information regarding Covid -19, are: Commissioner—Health Services, Director—Health Services, Director—Medical Education & Research, or the (district) Collector. “This is necessary to avoid spread of any unauthenticated information and/or rumours regarding COVID-19. If any person is found indulging in such activity, it will be treated as a punishable offence under these regulations,” the regulation number six States.
Explaining the rationale behind coming out with regulations governing the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, Maharashtra Health Minister said: “There a lot of circulating on various media networks on Coronavirus which need to be scotched to avoid panic among the people”.
“For instance, some of these unauthenticated messages claim that there are different types of cures available for Covid-19. But, as of now, there is no such cure available for the disease anywhere in the world,” Tope said.
The regulations, issued by way of notification singed by state Principal Secretary Dr. Pradeep Vyas, are extremely significant considering that it has specifies that –”officers empowered under the Act are authorised to isolate and /or admit a person who develops symptoms stimulating out of COVID-19 infection as per the case definition criteria published by World Health Organisation or Government of India from time to time. The empowered officer may initiate action under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code ( 48 of 1860) against the person who refuses to comply with such advice of isolation and /or admission”.
Among other things, the notification States that all government departments/organisations’ staff shall be at the disposal of the Collector/Municipal Commissioner or other officers of the concerned areas for discharging containment duties, and if needed they are empowered to requisition the services of any other person.
In the event of Covid-19 being reported from a particular area, the authorities will take a series of actions like sealing the geographical locality, barring entry-exit of population from that area, restricting vehicular movements, closing all public amenities like schools, colleges, malls, etc., initiating active/passive surveillance of Covid-19 cases, isolating the suspects and their contacts, taking over any government/private building to serve as a ‘quarantine facility’ and any other measures as required for containment of the disease.