The Government of Bihar on May 11, 2023, issued the Bihar Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulation 2023 to take special measures to be observed by the public to prevent the outbreak of the said disease or spread.
The following has been stated:
• All Hospitals (Government and Private) should have Flu corners for 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 the 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.
• No person/institution/organization shall use any print, electronic, or social media for misinformation regarding COVID-19 with a mala fide intent to spread panic in society. This is to avoid the spread of any rumor 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 offense under these regulations.
• Private laboratories have also been authorized to take or test samples for COVID-19 in the State of Bihar, as per guidelines of the Government of India.
• Authorized person as per clause 3 of these regulations authorized under this Act to admit a person and isolate the person if required in case he/she has a history of a visit to an area known to be affected by COVID-19 or has come in contact with a person of that area and the concerned person is symptomatic.
• If there are sufficient reasons, cause, or information to suspect or believe that any person could be infected with COVID-19 and his continued presence on premises is hazardous to the public safety, it shall be lawful for Surveillance Personnel to enter any such premises, after giving reasonable opportunity to the owner/ occupier; for the purpose of surveillance of instances of fever or cough or respiratory difficulty, enquire into or undertake a physical examination, as he/she thinks fit, and such person(s) shall be bound to cooperate and render all possible assistance to facilitate such surveillance, inspection, enquiry, and examination.
• Penalty: - Any person/institution/organization found violating any provisions of these regulations shall be deemed to have committed an offense punishable under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860). Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary, Department of Health, or District Magistrate of a respective district may initiate legal action against any person/ institution/ organization if found violating provisions of this regulation or any further orders issued by the Government of Bihar under this regulation.
This regulation shall come into force immediately and shall remain valid for a period of one year.
[Notification No. 11/Maha (Vividh) 01/2020/365(11)]
