India invokes 123-year-old Epidemic Disease Act

India could invoke a 123-year-old law to limit the spread of the outbreak as close on the heels of the novel coronavirus being declared a pandemic. The Central government has declared that all the states and Union Territories (UTs) should invoke provisions of Section 2 of the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897. The Law confers special powers upon local authorities to implement measures necessary to control epidemics.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz 2020

Section 2 of the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897 states that When at any time the State Government is satisfied that the State is threatened with an outbreak of any dangerous epidemic disease, the State Government, may take, or require or empower any person to take, such measures and, by public notice, prescribe such temporary regulations to be observed by the public or by any person. It is necessary to prevent the outbreak of such disease or the spread thereof and may determine in what manner and by whom any expenses incurred, including compensation if any, shall be defrayed.