{ "schema_version": "qanun-law-text/1", "id": "punjab-code-e91de3c063ceb677", "title": "PUNJAB INFECTIOUS DISEASES (PREVENTION AND CONTROL) ACT 2020", "source_collection": "Punjab", "content_kind": "stored_law_text", "content_extent": null, "source_url": "https://punjabcode.punjab.gov.pk/en/show_article/UmIBN1BmBTMHZw--", "version": null, "source_snapshot": "2026-08-06T16:57:15Z", "legal_status": "not independently verified", "text_quality": "Complete stored UTF-8 TXT file recovered byte-for-byte from owned Drive. Source transcription retained verbatim; legal completeness, OCR accuracy and current consolidation unverified.", "text_sha256": "7e651d58533200669a0125b61fc7c4b8870f768862c80aa1a00c975c3d7c1242", "source_sha256": "7e651d58533200669a0125b61fc7c4b8870f768862c80aa1a00c975c3d7c1242", "text_version_id": "law:punjab-code-e91de3c063ceb677:sha256:7e651d58533200669a0125b61fc7c4b8870f768862c80aa1a00c975c3d7c1242", "quality_flags": [], "encoding": "UTF-8", "text": "THE PUNJAB INFECTIOUS DISEASES (PREVENTION AND \r\nCONTROL) ACT 2020 \r\n (XIII of 2020) \r\nCONTENTS \r\nPART I \r\nPRELIMINARY \r\n \r\n1. Short title, extent and commencement \r\n \r\n2. Definitions \r\n \r\n3. Serious and imminent infection threat declaration \r\n \r\nPART II \r\nGENERAL HEALTH PROTECTION \r\nMEASURES \r\n \r\n4. Power to impose duties, confer functions etc \r\n \r\n5. General restrictions and requirements \r\n \r\n6. Directions and restrictions relating to attendance of schools and burials \r\n etc \r\n \r\nPART III \r\nCONTROL OF EVENTS, GATHERINGS AND \r\nPREMISES \r\n \r\n7. Prohibition or restriction of events and gatherings \r\n \r\n8. Closing or restricting entry into and exit from a premises \r\n \r\n9. Restricting entry into and exit from a general area \r\n \r\nPART IV \r\nCONTROL OF POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS \r\nPERSONS \r\n \r\n10. Movement and retention of potentially infectious person to a suitable \r\n place \r\n \r\n11. Duty to undergo screening and assessment \r\n \r\n12. Additional requirements and restrictions for persons pres enting \r\n significant risk \r\n \r\n13. Applicability of provisions to minors and wards \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n14. Duty to inform \r\n \r\n15. Pre-conditions and manner of exercise of powers \r\n \r\n16. Ancillary powers \r\n \r\nPART V \r\nOFFENCES AND PENALTIES \r\n \r\n17. Offences and penalties in respect of directions and restrictions imposed \r\n under Part II and III \r\n \r\n18. Offences and penalties in respect of certain directions, restrictions and \r\n duties imposed under Part IV \r\n \r\n19. Offence and penalty for running away from a place of retention \r\n \r\n20. Cognizance and trial of offences \r\n \r\nPART VI \r\nCOMMON PROVISIONS \r\n \r\n21. General powers for prevention and control of infection \r\n \r\n22. Enforcement \r\n \r\n23. Requisition of services of Government officials \r\n \r\n24. Delegation and concurrent exercise of certain powers \r\n \r\n25. Revision against an order etc. of notified medical officer and others \r\n \r\n26. Bar to action \r\n \r\n27. Confidentiality \r\n \r\n28. Power to make rules \r\n \r\n28-A. Temporary regulations \r\n \r\n29. Removal of difficulties \r\n \r\n30. Overriding effect \r\n \r\n31. Repeal and savings \r\n \r\n32. Repeal \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nTEXT \r\n1\r\nTHE PUNJAB INFECTIOUS DISEASES (PREVENTION AND CONTROL) \r\nACT 2020 \r\n (XIII of 2020) \r\n [11th August, 2020] \r\nAn \r\nAct \r\nto provide for prevention and control of infectious diseases in the Punjab. \r\nIt is expedient to make provisions for prevention and control of infectious diseases in \r\nthe Punjab and matters ancillary and connected thereto. \r\nBe it enacted by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as follows: \r\nPART I \r\nPRELIMINARY \r\n1. Short title, extent and commencement. – (1) This Act may be ci ted as the \r\nPunjab Infectious Diseases (Prevention and Control) Act 2020. \r\n(2) It extends to whole of the Punjab. \r\n(3) It shall come into force at once. \r\n2. Definitions.– In this Act: \r\n(a) “Act” means the Punjab Infectious Diseases (Prevention and Control) \r\nAct 2020; \r\n(b) “declaration” means the declaration of a serious and imminent infection \r\nthreat, made under section 3 of the Act; \r\n(c) “Director General Health” means the Director General Health Services, \r\nPunjab; \r\n(d) “Government” means Government of the Punjab; \r\n(e) “minor” means a person with an age of less than eighteen years; \r\n(f) “notified medical officer” means a medical officer notified for the \r\npurpose of the Act by the Secretary; \r\n(g) “potentially infectious person” means a person who: \r\n(1) is suspected to be infected or contaminated with an infectious \r\ndisease; \r\n(2) is a risk that such person might spread, infect or contaminate \r\nother persons with an infectious disease; or \r\n \r\n1This Act was passed by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab on 15 July 2020; assented to by t he Governor of the Punjab on 28 \r\nJuly 2020; and, was published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 August 2020, pp.547-556. \r\n \r\n \r\n(3) has arrived from or through an area affected by an infectious \r\ndisease within fourteen days or such other period as may be \r\nspecified by the Secretary immediately preceding the date of his \r\narrival; \r\n(h) “Relief Commissioner” means the Relief Commissioner as defined in \r\nthe Punjab National Calamities (Prevention and Relief) Act, 1958 \r\n(XXXIII of 1958); \r\n(i) “rules” means the rules made under the Act ; and \r\n(j) “Secretary” means Secretary to the Government, Primary and \r\nSecondary Healthcare Department. \r\n3. Serious and imminent infection threat declaration. – (1) The Secretary \r\nmay, with the approval of the Chief Minister, by notification in the official Gazette, \r\ndeclare that the incidence or transmission of an infectious diseases poses a serious \r\nand imminent threat to public health in the whole or any part of the Punjab. \r\n(2) The Secretary may, with the approval of the Chief Minister, by \r\nnotification in the official Gazette, revoke a declaration made under subsection (1). \r\n(3) Before seeking approvals under subsections (1) and (2), the Secretary \r\nshall have due regard to any advice from: \r\n(a) the Director General Health; and \r\n(b) not less than two emi nent epidemiologists appointed by the \r\nChief Minister for rendering such advice. \r\nPART II \r\nGENERAL HEALTH PROTECTION \r\nMEASURES \r\n4. Power to impose duties, confer functions etc. – Subject to the declaration, \r\nthe Secretary may, with the approval of Chief Minister: \r\n(a) impose duty upon all registered medical practitioners and health \r\nfacilities in any area of the Punjab, to record, communicate and treat \r\ncases of infection or contamination; or \r\n(b) confer functions upon one or more officers and servants or a \r\ndescription of o fficers and servants of the Government, and if so \r\nrequired one or more local governments in the Punjab in relation to \r\nmonitoring and control of public health risk; or \r\n(c) impose one or more restrictions or requirements on or in relation to \r\npersons, things or premises as mentioned in section 5. \r\nExplanation: For the purpose of this section: \r\n(a) a registered medical practitioner shall include a registered medical \r\npractitioner not in employment of the Government; and \r\n(b) the term health facility shall be deemed to include a clinic, hospital, \r\ndiagnostic laboratory and any other facility engaged in the provision of \r\n \r\n \r\nhealth services and not owned, financed, managed or run by the \r\nGovernment. \r\n5. General restrictions and requirements. – (1) For purpose of section 4, a \r\nperson or a class or description of persons may be required to: \r\n(a) undergo a specified medical examination and submit results as \r\nindicated in the requirement; \r\n(b) be disinfected or decontaminated; \r\n(c) wear specified protective clothing; \r\n(d) attend training or advisory sessions on how to reduce the risk of \r\ninfecting or contaminating others; \r\n(e) be subject to one or more restrictions as to where he may go or \r\nwith whom he may maintains contact; and \r\n(f) abstain from working or trading. \r\n(2) For purposes of section 4, a thi ng or a class or description of things \r\nshall: \r\n(a) be seized or retained; \r\n(b) be kept in isolation or a specified quarantine; \r\n(c) be disinfected or decontaminated; and \r\n(d) if so required, be destroyed or disposed of. \r\n(3) For purpose of section 4, the premises or class or description of \r\npremises shall: \r\n(a) be kept in a sanitary condition; and \r\n(b) be disinfected or decontaminated. \r\n6. Directions and restrictions relating to attendance of schools and burials \r\netc.– Subject to a declaration, the Director General Health may, for a speci fied \r\nperiod: \r\n(a) impose a specific or general duty upon persons who have \r\nresponsibility for a minor to ensure that the minor does not attend his \r\nschool; and \r\n(b) impose a specific or general restriction or requirement relating to the \r\nhandling, transport, burial o r cremation of dead bodies or the handling, \r\ntransport or disposal of human remains. \r\nPART III \r\nCONTROL OF EVENTS, GATHERINGS AND \r\nPREMISES \r\n7. Prohibition or restriction of events and gatherings. – (1) Subject to a \r\ndeclaration, the Director General Health may issue directions prohibiting or imposing \r\none or more requirements or restrictions in relation to the holding of an event or \r\ngathering for a specified period. \r\n \r\n \r\n(2) A direction under subsection (1), may be issued in relation to: \r\n(a) a specified event or gathering; or \r\n(b) events or gatherings of a specified description including \r\ndescription with reference to the number of people attending the \r\nevent or gathering. \r\n(3) A direction under subsection (1) may only have the effect of imposing \r\nprohibitions, requirements or restrictions on: \r\n(a) the owner or occupier of premises for an event or gathering to \r\nwhich the direction relates; \r\n(b) the organizer of such an event or gathering; \r\n(c) any other person involved in holding such an event or gathering. \r\n8. Closing or restricting entry into and exit from a premises. – (1) Subject to \r\na declaration, the Director General Health may issue directions prohibiting or \r\nimposing one or more requirements or restrictions in relation to the entry into, exit \r\nfrom, or location of persons in a premises for a specified period. \r\n(2) A direction under subsection (1) may be issued in relation to: \r\n(a) a specified premises; or \r\n(b) premises of a specified description. \r\n(3) A direction under subsection (1) may only have the effect of imposing \r\nprohibitions, requirements or restrictions on: \r\n(a) the owner or occupier of premises to which the direction relates; \r\nand \r\n(b) any other person involved in entry into, or exit from such \r\npremises or the location of persons in them. \r\n(4) A direction under subsection (1) may impose requirements for the \r\npurpose of: \r\n(a) closing or sealing the premises; \r\n(b) restricting entry into the premises; and \r\n(c) securing restrictions in relation to the location of persons. \r\n(5) A direction under subsection (1) may, impose prohibitions, \r\nrequirements or restrictions on: \r\n(a) the facilities in the premises; \r\n(b) number of persons in the premises; \r\n(c) the size of the premises; and \r\n(d) the purpose for which a person is in the premises. \r\n9. Restricting entry into and exit from a general area. – Subject to a \r\ndeclaration, the Deputy Commissioner of the concerne d area may, on the advice of \r\nthe Secretary, issue directions prohibiting, or imposing requirements or restrictions in \r\nrelation to the entry into, exit from, or location of persons, goods, vehicles, vessels \r\nand other means of transportation in any area for a specified period. \r\n \r\n \r\nPART IV \r\nCONTROL OF POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS \r\nPERSONS \r\n10. Movement and retention of potentially infectious person to a suitable \r\nplace.– (1) In an area, subject to a declaration, a notified medical officer may, after \r\nhaving informed a poten tially infectious person of the reasons for doing so, direct \r\nsuch person to proceed to a specified place which is suitable for screening and \r\nassessment and remain there for a period mentioned under subsection (3). \r\n(2) Where a potentially infectious person fail s to follow a direction under \r\nsubsection (1), the notified medical officer may: \r\n(a) move him to the specified place; or \r\n(b) direct a police officer, through the concerned head of the district \r\npolice, to move him to the specified place. \r\n(3) A notified medical off icer may require a potentially infectious person to \r\nremain at a place suitable for screening and assessment for a period which shall not \r\nexceed forty eight hours unless: \r\n(a) in the opinion of the notified medical officer, the person is \r\nrequired to be retained for a longer duration for valid satisfactory \r\nscreening and assessment requirements; or \r\n(b) a longer maximum retention period is otherwise ordered by the \r\nSecretary with the approval of the Chief Minister in general or for \r\none or more circumstances related to an infectious disease. \r\n(4) The provisions of subsection (3) shall also apply to a person who \r\nvoluntarily reports to a place specified for screening and assessment. \r\n(5) After each subsequent interval of twenty four hours during which a \r\nperson is retained at a place specified for screening and assessment, the notified \r\nmedical officer shall review the need for continuing his retention. \r\n(6) After making a review under subsection (5), the notified medical officer \r\nmay: \r\n(a) discontinue retention if he considers that the retained person is \r\nno longer potentially infectious or contaminated; or \r\n(b) extend the period of retention if he considers that the person is \r\npotentially infectious at the end of that period. \r\n11. Duty to undergo screening and assessment. – (1) In an area, subj ect to a \r\ndeclaration, a notified medical officer may impose upon a potentially infectious \r\nperson one or more screening requirements to assess the level of risk of infection or \r\ncontaminating to others, and carry out such an assessment. \r\n(2) For the purpose of this section, a potentially infectious person shall: \r\n(a) answer every question on his health or other relevant \r\ncircumstances including travel history and information regarding \r\nother persons who might have contacted him; \r\n \r\n \r\n(b) provide sufficient information to allo w making a contact with him \r\nfor the purpose of the Act during such period as the notified \r\nmedical officer considers appropriate; \r\n(c) produce any document which may be required in assessing his \r\nhealth; \r\n(d) allow personal examination including measurement of body \r\ntemperature and other physical conditions by an appropriate \r\nmean; \r\n(e) allow taking of a biological sample by an appropriate mean or \r\nprovide such a sample; and \r\n(f) forthwith move to and remain at another place which is, in view \r\nof the notified medical officer, suitab le for the purpose of this \r\nsection. \r\n(3) The provisions of this section shall also apply to a potentially infectious \r\nperson who has not been moved or retained for screening and assessment under \r\nsection 10. \r\n(4) A notified medical officer may impose one or more requi rements under \r\nsubsection (2) through a police officer. \r\n12. Additional requirements and restrictions for persons presenting \r\nsignificant risk.– (1) After screening and assessment under section 11, where: \r\n(a) a person is found to be infected or contaminated, or \r\n(b) the results of his screening and assessment are inconclusive, the \r\nnotified medical officer may, after having informed him of the reasons \r\nfor doing so, require such person to: \r\n(i) provide any relevant information in addition to the information \r\nmentioned at subsection (2) of section 11; \r\n(ii) undertake further screening and assessment; \r\n(iii) remain at a specified place which may include a place suitable \r\nfor screening and assessment for a specified period; \r\n(iv) forthwith proceed to a specified place suitable for such purpose \r\nand to remain at such place for a specified period; or \r\n(v) remain at a specified place in isolation from others for a \r\nspecified period. \r\n(2) A notified medical officer may, after having informed him of the reasons \r\nfor doing so, impose one or more restrictions upon a person referred to in subsection \r\n(1) for a specified period which may include restrictions relating to: \r\n(a) his movement or travel including travels within and outside the \r\nPunjab; \r\n(b) his activities including work or business activities; and \r\n(c) his contact with other persons or with other specified persons. \r\n \r\n \r\n(3) The period specified for requirements referred to in subsection (1) and \r\nthe restrictions referred to in subsection (2) shall not exceed fourteen days unless: \r\n(a) in view of the notified medical officer, the requi rement or \r\nrestriction is required for a longer duration; or \r\n(b) a longer maximum period is otherwise ordered by the Secretary \r\nwith the approval of the Chief Minister in general or for one or \r\nmore circumstances related to an infectious disease. \r\n(4) Where a pers on is required to remain at a place under subsection (1), \r\nthe notified medical officer may direct a police officer, through the concerned head of \r\nthe district police, to enforce such requirement. \r\n(5) After each subsequent interval of forty -eight hours duri ng which a \r\nperson is subjected to a restriction or is retained under this section, the notified \r\nmedical officer shall review the need for continuing the restriction or retention. \r\n(6) After making a review under subsection (6), the notified medical officer \r\nmay: \r\n(a) withdraw a requirement or restriction if he considers that the \r\nperson subjected to a restriction or retention under this section \r\nis no longer potentially infectious or contaminated; \r\n(b) substitute a different requirement or restriction; or \r\n(c) extend the per iod of a requirement or restriction if he considers \r\nthat the person is potentially infectious or contaminated at the \r\nend of that period. \r\n13. Applicability of provisions to minors and wards. – (1) A person or a \r\nGuardian who has responsibility for a minor o r a ward shall, secure that the minor or \r\nthe ward complies with any direction, instruction, requirement or restriction imposed \r\nupon him under the Act. \r\n(2) A person or a Guardian who has responsibility for a minor or a ward \r\nshall provide to the person exer cising a power under the Act such information and \r\nassistance in relation to the minor or the ward as is reasonably necessary and \r\npracticable. \r\n(3) Where a power under the Act is exercisable in relation to a minor or a \r\nward and he is unaccompanied, the pers on by whom that power is to be exercised \r\nshall, wherever practicable: \r\n(a) contact the person or the Guardian responsible for the minor or \r\nthe ward before the exercise of the power; or \r\n(b) take reasonable steps after the exercise of that power to contact \r\nand inform the person or the Guardian responsible for the minor \r\nor the ward. \r\n14. Duty to inform.– It shall be duty of every person, including \r\n(a) head of a family; \r\n(b) a health care provider including every physician, dentist, nurse, \r\nhealth aide, in-charge of a hospital or a diagnostic laboratory; \r\n \r\n \r\n(c) in-charge of a school, college, university, seminary or other \r\neducation facility; \r\n(d) in-charge of a public transport, hotel, restaurant, work place or \r\nother public facility including a hostel; and \r\n(e) in-charge of a place of worship; \r\nwho knows or believes, or has reason to know or believe, that a person under \r\nhis care, supervision or control is suffering from an infectious disease or is \r\ncontaminated, to report such case to a notified medical officer immediately. \r\n15. Pre-conditions and man ner of exercise of powers. – (1) No power \r\nconferred under sections 10, 11, 12 and 13 the Act shall be exercised by a notified \r\nmedical officer unless he considers it necessary and proportionate to do so: \r\n(a) in the interest of potentially infectious person; \r\n(b) for the protection risk of infection or contamination of other \r\npersons; or \r\n(c) in the interest of public health in general. \r\n(2) A direction, instruction, requirement or restriction under the Act may \r\ngive or impose orally or in writing. \r\n(3) Without any prejudice to the generality of the provisions of subsection \r\n(2), where any requirement or restriction is given or imposed upon a person by a \r\nnotified medical officer orally, he shall, as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, \r\ngive the person a notice setting it out in writing. \r\n(4) A person exercising a power conferred under the Act shall have \r\nregards to: \r\n(a) any relevant guidance issued by the Secretary; and \r\n(b) any advice given by a notified medical officer in relation to any \r\nparticular case. \r\n16. Ancillary powers.– (1) A notified medical officer or a police officer may give \r\nreasonable instructions to a person in connection with: \r\n(a) a direction given to that person under a power conferred under \r\nthe Act; or \r\n(b) moving that person or retaining him at a place under a power \r\nconferred under the Act. \r\n(2) A power conferred under the Act to move a person to a place includes \r\na power to keep the person for a reasonable period pending his movement. \r\n(3) A police officer may use reasonable force, if necessary, in exercise of \r\npowers conferred under the Act. \r\n(4) A police officer shall have the power to apprehend a person running \r\naway from a place where he is retained or isolated under the Act and return him to \r\nthat place or another place which a notified medical officer may specify, and may use \r\nreasonable force, if necessary, for this purpose. \r\n(5) A police officer, not below the rank of an Assistant Sub -Inspector, may \r\nenter any place for the exercise of a power conferred under the Act. \r\n \r\n \r\nPART V \r\nOFFENCES AND PENALTIES \r\n17. Offences and penalties in respect of directions and restrictions imposed \r\nunder Part II and III.– (1) A person commits an offence if he fails without reasonable \r\nexcuse to comply with any direction, reasonable instruction, duty, requirement or \r\nrestriction imposed upon him under the Act. \r\n(2) A person guilty of a first offence under this section shall, on conviction, \r\nbe punished with an imprisonment for a term not exceeding two months or a fine not \r\nexceeding fifty thousand rupees, or both. \r\n(3) A person guilty of a repeat offence under t his section, shall, on \r\nconviction be punished with an imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or \r\na fine not exceeding one hundred thousand rupees, or both. \r\n(4) Where an offence under this section is committed by a body corporate: \r\n(a) the fine for a fi rst offence shall not be less than fifty thousand \r\nrupees and not exceeding two hundred thousand rupees; and \r\n(b) the fine for a repeat offence shall not be less than one hundred \r\nthousand rupees and shall not exceed three hundred thousand \r\nrupees. \r\n(5) Where an offence under this section by a body corporate is proved: \r\n(a) to have been committed with the consent or connivance of an \r\nofficer of the body; or \r\n(b) to be attributable to any neglect on the part of such an officer, \r\nthe officer shall be guilty of the offence and li able to be prosecuted and \r\nproceeded against and punished accordingly. \r\n18. Offences and penalties in respect of certain directions, restrictions and \r\nduties imposed under Part IV.– (1) A person commits an offence if he: \r\n(a) fails without reasonable excuse to co mply with any direction, \r\nreasonable instruction, requirement or restriction given to or \r\nimposed upon him under Part IV of the Act; or \r\n(b) fails without reasonable excuse to comply with a duty imposed \r\nupon him in relation to a minor or ward under section 13 of the \r\nAct; or \r\n(c) knowingly provides false or misleading information in response \r\nto a requirement to provide information under section s 11 and \r\n12 of the Act; or \r\n(d) obstructs a person who is exercising or attempting to exercise a \r\npower conferred under Part IV of the Act. \r\n(2) A person guilty of a first offence under this section shall, on conviction, \r\nbe punished with an imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or a fine \r\nnot exceeding fifty thousand rupees, or both. \r\n \r\n \r\n(3) A person guilty of a repeat offence un der this section, shall, on \r\nconviction be punished with an imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or a \r\nfine not exceeding one hundred thousand rupees, or both. \r\n19. Offence and penalty for running away from a place of retention. – (1) A \r\nperson commit s an offence if he runs away or attempts to run away while being \r\nmoved to or kept at a place under Part IV of the Act. \r\n(2) A person guilty of first offence under this section shall, on conviction, \r\nbe punished with an imprisonment for a term not exceeding s ix months or a fine not \r\nexceeding fifty thousand rupees, or both. \r\n(3) A person guilty of a repeat offence under this section, shall, on \r\nconviction be punished with an imprisonment for a term not exceeding eighteen \r\nmonths or a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand rupees, or both. \r\n20. Cognizance and trial of offences. – (1) No court other than that of a \r\nMagistrate of first class shall take cognizance of or try an offence under the Act. \r\n(2) All offences under the Act shall be tried in accordance with the pr ocedure \r\nprescribed for summary trials of offences under the Code of Criminal Procedure, \r\n1898 (V of 1898). \r\nPART VI \r\nCOMMON PROVISIONS \r\n21. General powers for prevention and control of infection. – (1) Without \r\nprejudice to other provisions of the Act as well as the powers conferred under the \r\nPunjab National Calamities (Prevention and Relief) Act, 1958 (XXXIII of 1958): \r\n(a) the Relief Commissioner may take all such steps and measures \r\nwhich he deems necessary to provide relief to persons affected \r\nby an infectious disease in any area subject to a declaration; \r\nand \r\n(b) The Deputy Commissioner of the district subject to a \r\ndeclaration, shall take all such steps and measures which he \r\ndeems necessary to maintain order and provide immediate relief \r\nto persons affected by an infectious disease. \r\n(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the powers conferred by \r\nsubsection (1), the Relief Commissioner or, as the case may be, the Deputy \r\nCommissioner of the district subject to a declaration, shall have the powers to: \r\n(a) evacuate or segregate population; \r\n(b) requisition means of transport including motor vehicles, \r\ncarriages, boats and earth moving machinery; \r\n(c) require declaration of surplus stocks of food, medicines and \r\nother stores and commodities considered essential by him and \r\nto requisition them; \r\n(d) requisition of buildings, facilities including facilities relating to \r\nprovision of health services; \r\n(e) conscript labour; and \r\n \r\n \r\n(f) direct any person to abstain from certain act or to take certain \r\norders, requirements and restrictions. \r\n(3) A person ownin g transport, articles, stocks, medicines, building and \r\nfacilities which are requisitioned or the labour who are conscripted for work or the \r\nperson who is directed to abstain from certain act or to take certain orders, \r\nrequirements and restrictions under th is section shall be entitled to a reasonable \r\ncompensation as determined by the Relief Commissioner. \r\n(4) Subject to the right of an owner to a claim under subsection (3), the \r\ntransport, articles, stocks, medicines, building and facilities shall forthwith re st with \r\nthe Relief Commissioner who may himself, or through the Deputy Commissioner, \r\ndeal with them in such manner as he deems proper in order to discharge his duties \r\nunder this section. \r\n22. Enforcement.– (1) The Deputy Commissioners shall, in the respecti ve \r\ndistricts, ensure compliance of an order, direction, restriction, requirement or any \r\nother measure under the Act. \r\n(2) For purposes of subsection (1), a Deputy Commissioner may take such \r\nsteps or pass such orders as he considers necessary including an or der to an officer \r\nsub-ordinate to him or a police officer, through the concerned head of the district \r\npolice. \r\n(3) For purposes of enforcement of an order, direction, restriction or \r\nrequirement issued under sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Act, a Deputy Commissioner, an \r\nofficer sub -ordinate to him, a police officer or any other person referred to in \r\nsubsection (2), may: \r\n(a) enter upon any premises; \r\n(b) detain persons for a maximum period of twenty four hours; and \r\n(c) if necessary, use reasonable force to ensure compliance. \r\n23. Requisition of services of Government officials. – The Relief \r\nCommissioner or, as the case may be, the Deputy Commissioner of the area, \r\nsubject to a declaration, may after having consulted the Secretary of the respective \r\nAdministrative Department of th e Government, requisition the services of officers \r\nand officials of that Department for the purpose of the Act. \r\n24. Delegation and concurrent exercise of certain powers. – (1) The Secretary \r\nmay delegate all or any of the powers conferred upon him under the Act, except the \r\npowers conferred under section 3, to a Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner or any \r\nother officer sub-ordinate to him. \r\n(2) The Relief Commissioner may delegate all or any of the powers \r\nconferred upon him under the Act to a Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner or any \r\nother officer sub-ordinate to him. \r\n(3) The powers of a notified medical officer under the Act shall be \r\nconcurrently exercisable by the respective Assistant Commissioners. \r\n25. Revision against an order etc. of notified medical officer and others.– (1) \r\nA person against whom an order, direction, instruction, requirement or restriction has \r\nbeen imposed by a notified medical officer or a police officer under the Act may file a \r\n \r\n \r\nrevision petition before a board comprising the Commissioner of the respective \r\ndivision and a medical officer notified by the Secretary. \r\n(2) A revision petition under subsection (1) may be filed by the person \r\nresponsible for a child or a ward in relation to whom an order, direction, instruction, \r\nrequirement or restriction has been imposed by a notified medical officer or a police \r\nofficer under the Act. \r\n(3) All revision petitions shall be decided by the board through a written \r\norder within fifteen days from its presentation. \r\n26. Bar to action. – No order made under the Act shall be called in question in \r\nany court and no civil or criminal proceedings shall be instituted against any person \r\nfor anything done in good faith against any person for any loss or damage caused to, \r\nor in respect of any property whereof possession has been taken under the Act. \r\n27. Confidentiality.– (1) Any information, collected or held by a public servant or \r\nby any other person, that identifies a person with an infectious disease, or have been \r\npositively tested for an infectious disease, his address or contacts, shall not be \r\nreleased or made public except under this section. \r\n(2) The information under subsection (1) may be released or made public: \r\n(a) with the consent of the identified person; \r\n(b) to a physician retained by the identified person; \r\n(c) to enforce the provisions of the Act and the rules; \r\n(d) to a medical practitioner for purposes of treatment of the person with \r\nan infectious disease; \r\n(e) to blood banks, schools and prisons; and \r\n(f) to the person responsible for a minor or a ward. \r\n28. Power to make rules .– The Government may, by notification in the official \r\nGazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of the Act. \r\n2[28-A. Temporary regulations. – The Secretary may, by notification in the official \r\nGazette, frame such temporary regulations to be observe d by a person or a class of \r\npersons as may be necessary to prevent outbreak or spread of an infectious \r\ndisease, and the Secretary may determine in what manner and by whom any \r\nexpenses incurred due to such diseases shall be defrayed.] \r\n29. Removal of difficulties.– The Government may, by an order, provide for the \r\nremoval of any difficulty which may arise in giving effect to the provisions of the Act. \r\n30. Overriding effect. – The provisions of the Act shall have effect \r\nnotwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force. \r\n31. Repeal and savings. – (1) The Punjab Epidemic Diseases Act, 1958 (XXXVI \r\nof 1958) is hereby repealed. \r\n \r\n2 Inserted by the Punjab Infectious Diseases (Prevention and Control) (Amendment) Act 2021 (XI of 2021), \r\npublished in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 17 th May 2021, pp. 9207 s.2. \r\n \r\n \r\n(2) Save as otherwise provided in the Act, repeal of the Punjab Epidemic \r\nDiseases Act, 1958 (XXXVI of 1958) shall not affect: \r\n(a) the previous operation of the Punjab Epidemic Diseases Act, \r\n1958 (XXXVI of 1958) or anything duly done or suffered \r\nthereunder; \r\n(b) any right, privilege, obligation or liability acquired, accrued or \r\nincurred under the Punjab Epidemic Diseases Act, 1958 (XXXVI \r\nof 1958); \r\n(c) any penalty, forfeiture or punishment incurred in respect of any \r\noffence committed against the Punjab Epidemic Diseases Act, \r\n1958 (XXXVI of 1958); and \r\n(d) any investigation, legal proceedings or remedy in respect of any \r\nsuch right, privilege, obligation, liability, penalty, forfeiture or \r\npunishment as aforesaid, and any such investigation, legal \r\nproceedings or remedy instituted, continued or enforced and any \r\nsuch penalty, forfeiture and punishment imposed under the \r\nPunjab Epidemic Diseases Act, 1958 (XXXVI of 1958). \r\n32. 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