Public Health Act

A Court making any order under section 9 may require any person on whom any order is made to pay all costs and expenses incurred in obtaining the order. Failure to obey a closing order

Where a closing order has been made under section 9 with respect to any dwellinghouse, the Chief Environmental Health Officer shall serve notice of the order on every tenant of the dwelling-house and within such period as is specified in the notice not being less than seven days (save in case of immediate danger) after the service of the notice the order shall be obeyed by that tenant and that person and all other occupants shall cease to inhabit the dwelling-house, and in default that person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of fifty dollars a day during that person’s disobedience to the order, and the Court shall, upon application by the Chief Environmental Health Officer, make a summary order for that person’s ejectment and the same may be carried into effect by any police officer: Provided that the owner shall make to every tenant whose tenancy has not been lawfully determined such reasonable allowance, if any, on account of that person’s expenses in removing as a Court may allow or order, and such allowance shall be recoverable in a summary manner. Officer in charge of public works to comply with request from Chief Environmental Health Officer

The officer for the time being in charge of the Government Department responsible for public works shall comply promptly with any request made to it by the Chief Environmental Health Officer under this Part. Power of individual to make complaint as to statutory nuisance

Complaint of the existence of a nuisance under this Act may be made to the Court by any person aggrieved by the nuisance and thereafter the like proceedings shall be had and the like incidents and consequences as to the making of orders or penalties for disobedience of orders and otherwise as in the case of a complaint by the Chief Environmental Health Officer. Chief Medical Officer may take proceedings in Grand Court for abatement of statutory nuisance

If, in the case of any statutory nuisance, the Chief Medical Officer is of the opinion that proceedings in the Court would afford an inadequate remedy that person may take proceedings in the Grand Court for the purpose of securing the abatement or prohibition of that nuisance or of obtaining a closing order and such proceedings shall be maintainable notwithstanding that that person has suffered no damage from the PART 4 - Offensive Trades Declaration of offensive trades

The Cabinet may, by Notice published in the Gazette, declare to be an offensive trade, any trade, business, process or manufacture, which in the Cabinet’s opinion causes offensive or noxious effluvia or dust or is otherwise of an offensive or harmful nature. Regulations re offensive trades

The Cabinet may make regulations in relation to offensive trades prescribing or providing for — (a) registration or licensing and fees and charges in connection therewith; (b) the prevention of nuisances; the restriction of the carrying on of offensive trades, or groups or classes of such trades to certain areas or districts, or otherwise than in certain areas or districts; and (d) the construction, size, ventilation, drainage, cleansing, repair and maintenance of any building, yard, pen or other places in which any offensive trade is carried on. PART 5 - Public Health Laboratory Service Cabinet may provide a public health laboratory service

The Cabinet may provide a public health laboratory service under the direction and control of the Chief Medical Officer. The functions of the laboratory shall include — (a) carrying out investigations on epidemiological problems related to the infectious diseases; (b) providing a bacteriological service for public health field workers: undertaking chemical analysis and bacteriological examinations of samples of food, drink, drugs and water submitted by Government staff; (d) undertaking chemical analysis of blood, urine or other substances submitted by the Commissioner of Police; and (e) maintaining a link with the World Health Organisation particularly with regard to the quarantine diseases of smallpox, typhus, yellow fever, cholera, relapsing fever and plague. Persons other than Government staff may use laboratory service

The Chief Medical Officer may allow persons other than Government staff to make use of the public health laboratory service on such terms, including, with the prior approval of the Financial Secretary, terms as to the payment of charges as the Chief Medical Officer may determine. PART 6 - Notification, Prevention and Suppression of Disease Notification of disease

(1) Where an inmate of any premises used for human habitation is suffering from a notifiable disease, or any disease the symptoms of which may give rise to a suspicion that it may be a notifiable disease then — (a) the head of the family to which such inmate (herein referred to as the patient) belongs, and in that person’s default, the nearest relatives of the patient present in or upon the premises or being in attendance on the patient, and in default of such person, the occupier of the premises shall, as soon as that person becomes aware that the patient is suffering from a notifiable disease, forthwith send notice thereof to the Senior Medical Officer of Health; and (b) every medical practitioner attending or called in to visit the patient shall forthwith, on becoming aware that the patient is suffering from a notifiable disease or a disease which that person suspects to be a notifiable disease send to the Senior Medical Officer of Health a certificate stating the name and sex of the patient, the situation of the premises, and the disease from which, in the opinion of such medical practitioner, such patient is suffering or suspected to be suffering. (2) Whoever, being required by subsection (1) to send a notice or certificate, fails forthwith to send the same commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of one hundred dollars. (3) A Medical Officer of Health shall, upon application, supply forms of certificates for use under subsection (1)(b) free of charge to any medical practitioner. Restriction of movement

In the event of the prevalence of any notifiable disease in any area, the Cabinet, with a view to preventing infection from the disease, by Order published in the Gazette, may — (a) declare the area to be an infected area; and (b) regulate or prohibit the movement of persons or food into, out of, or within the area. On suspicion of infectious disease premises may be inspected

Subject to section 63, a Medical Officer of Health may, with or without assistance as that person may deem desirable, at any reasonable time, enter and inspect any premises in which that person has reason to believe there is any carrier or any person suffering or who has recently suffered from any infectious disease or who has recently been exposed to the infection of any infectious disease, and may medically examine any person found on such premises with a view to ascertaining whether such person is a carrier or is suffering or has recently suffered from any infectious disease, and may also examine any dead body found on such premises. Duty to cause premises to be cleansed and disinfected

(1) Where a Medical Officer of Health is of the opinion that the cleansing and disinfecting of any building or part thereof, and of any articles therein likely to retain infection, would tend to prevent or check infectious disease, it is that person’s duty to give notice in writing to the owner or occupier of such building or part thereof specifying the steps to be taken to cleanse and disinfect such building or part thereof and such articles within a time specified in such notice. (2) Whoever, having been given notice under subsection (1), fails to comply therewith commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of fifty dollars for each day during which that person continues to make default, and any Medical Officer of Health may cause such building or part thereof and such articles to be cleansed and disinfected and may recover the expenses from the owner or occupier. (3) Where the owner or occupier of any building or part thereof is from poverty or otherwise unable, in the opinion of a Medical Officer of Health, effectually to carry out the requirements of this section the Medical Officer of Health may, with or without the consent of such owner or occupier, direct any of that person’s staff to enter, cleanse and disinfect such building or part thereof and such articles. (4) For the purpose of preventing the spread of an infectious disease, a Medical Officer of Health may — (a) cleanse, ventilate or disinfect any building or part of a building; (b) cleanse, disinfect or remove any clothing, article or thing of whatever nature; and order the closure or vacation of any building or part of a building for such time not exceeding three days as that person deems necessary. (5) If, in the opinion of the Senior Medical Officer of Health, it is necessary to prevent the spread of an infectious disease to prohibit any building from being used for human occupation for any period longer than three days the Court may, on complaint by such officer, make a closing order. (6) A closing order under subsection (1) shall only be made where it is proved to the satisfaction of the Court that it is necessary to prohibit human occupation of a building for a period longer than three days to prevent the spread of infectious disease and, if such proof is given, the Court shall make a closing order. (7) Section 9(8), (10) and (11) and sections 10 and 11 shall apply in relation to a closing order made under this section as they apply in relation to a closing order made under those sections. Control of patients and contacts

(1) If, in the opinion of a Medical Officer of Health, any person is suffering or reasonably suspected of suffering from any notifiable disease, the Officer may direct — (a) that the person shall be kept in isolation in that person’s home; or (b) that the person shall be removed to a hospital or other place. (2) Any person who is a carrier or has been in contact with any person suffering or reasonably suspected of suffering from a notifiable disease may be isolated or placed under surveillance or removed to a hospital for observation and there kept for such necessary period as a Medical Officer of Health shall direct. Penalty for refusing to comply with any order

Whoever refuses or neglects to comply with any direction given by a Medical Officer of Health having as its purpose the prevention, control or suppression of infectious disease, or enters a hospital or other place used for the reception of carriers or persons suffering from an infectious disease, or leaves such hospital or place without the permission of such an officer, or refuses or neglects to comply with any of the requirements or conditions of observation, isolation or surveillance commits an offence. Destruction of animals

A Medical Officer of Health, in consultation with the Chief Veterinary Officer, may order the destruction of any animals which that person has reason to believe are likely to be agents in the transmission of an infectious disease and may dispose of the carcass of any animal so destroyed in such manner as that person may think proper. Infected person not to carry on occupation

Whoever — (a) knowing themselves to be a carrier or suffering from an infectious disease, or who is nursing or attending on a case of infectious disease, milks any animal, engages in any occupation connected with food or carries on any trade or business in such a manner as to be likely to spread the infectious (b) while suffering from any infectious disease, wilfully exposes themselves, without proper precautions against spreading the disease, in any street, public place, shop, hotel or public convenience; or being in charge of any person so suffering so exposes such sufferer, or causes such sufferer to be so exposed, commits an offence. Infected clothes not to be sent to laundry

(1) No person shall give, lend, transmit, sell or expose for sale, without previous disinfection, any bedding, clothing, rags or other things which have been exposed to infection from any infectious disease. (2) No person shall take, send or deliver to any public washing place or to any laundry, or give to any person, for the purpose of being washed, any bedding, clothes or other things which that person knows to have been exposed to infection from any infectious disease, unless they have been disinfected by or to the satisfaction of a Medical Officer of Health. (3) Whoever contravenes subsection (1) or (2) commits an offence. (4) An Environmental Health Officer may, on the application of any person, supervise the carrying out of the disinfection of any such bedding, clothes or other things free of charge. Prohibition from conveyance of infected persons in public conveyance

(1) Whoever — (a) being the owner, driver or carrier of a public conveyance knowingly conveys in any public conveyance a person suffering from any notifiable (b) knowingly places in any public conveyance a person suffering from any notifiable disease; or being a person suffering from any notifiable disease enters a public conveyance, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of one hundred dollars. (2) If any person suffering from any infectious disease is conveyed in any public conveyance, the owner or carrier thereof as soon as it comes to that person’s knowledge shall give notice to the Medical Officer of Health, and cause such conveyance to be disinfected, and if that person fails so to do, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of one hundred dollars and the owner, driver or carrier of such conveyance shall be entitled to recover from the person so conveyed by that person, or from the person causing that person to be so conveyed, a sum sufficient to cover any loss and expenses incurred by that person in connection with such disinfection. It shall be the duty of an Environmental Health Officer when so required by the owner, driver or carrier of such public conveyance, to provide for the disinfection of the same free of charge. Exception

Notwithstanding section 28, it shall be lawful for the owner or person in charge of any public conveyance to transport at Government expense from place to place within the Islands any person suffering or suspected to be suffering from an infectious disease when required to do so by the Medical Officer of Health: Provided always that such owner or person shall observe such precautions as may be prescribed or required by such officer. Removal of bodies

The bodies of persons dying of an infectious disease in a hospital or other place used for the reception of persons suffering from infectious diseases shall not be removed without the permission of a Medical Officer of Health, and any person contravening this section commits an offence. Infectious rubbish

(1) Whoever, knowingly casts, causes or permits to be cast into any place designed for the reception of refuse, any rubbish infected by an infectious disease without previous disinfection, commits an offence and liable on conviction to a fine of one hundred dollars and if the offence continues, to a further fine of fifty dollars for each day during which the offence so continues after the service of a notice under subsection (2). (2) A Medical Officer of Health shall cause a notice of the provisions of this section to be served on and explained to the occupier of any house or part thereof in which there is a carrier or person suffering from an infectious disease and, on the request of such occupier, shall provide for the removal and disinfection or destruction of the aforesaid rubbish. Provision of means of disinfection

The Cabinet shall provide a proper place, with all necessary apparatus and attendance, for the disinfection of bedding, clothing or other articles which have been infected, and a Medical Officer of Health may direct any articles brought for disinfection to be disinfected or destroyed free of charge, and any such direction shall be sufficient authority for their disinfection or destruction. Presumption for prevention of disease

Where a person in charge of or in attendance on or living with a person suffering from an infectious disease, is charged with an offence against this Part relative to such infectious disease, that person shall be presumed to have known of the existence of such disease in such person, unless and until that person shows to the satisfaction of the Court that that person had not such knowledge and could not, with reasonable diligence, have obtained such knowledge. Regulations re notification, etc., of diseases

The Cabinet may make regulations for — (a) the closing of schools, cinemas and other places of public entertainment; (b) prohibiting the holding of any public meeting, procession, or festive ceremony; the medical examination of all persons residing in or entering any infected area and for the disinfection, inoculation, vaccination, surveillance or observation of persons suffering from an infectious disease; (d) preventing any person from leaving any infected area without undergoing all or any of the following: medical examination, disinfection, inoculation, vaccination, surveillance or observance; (e) the removal and accommodation of persons who are suffering from an infectious disease, and persons who have been in contact with such persons; (f) regulating the entry or departure by aircraft, boats or ships to or from places in the Islands and the landing and disinfection of passengers or cargoes thereon; (g) the administration of quarantine; (h) the vaccination or inoculation of persons residing in or entering the Islands not already vaccinated or inoculated and the supply and quality of vaccine matter and serum; and (i) any other purpose, having for its object the prevention, control or suppression of infectious disease, and may, by Order, declare all or any of the Regulations so made to be in force within the whole or any part of the Islands. PART 7 - Sexually Transmitted Diseases Regulations re sexually transmitted diseases

The Cabinet may make regulations to provide for — (a) medical examination, classification, temporary isolation and treatment of persons suffering from or suspected of being infected with a sexually transmitted disease; (b) prescribing conditions subject to which such persons may be medically treated in their own homes or elsewhere without removal to a hospital; control, partial isolation, limitation of movement and association with other persons, medical examination, medical supervision, surveillance, medication, nursing, maintenance, diet and instruction of persons treated under paragraph (b); (d) classification, treatment, instruction, employment and control of patients in any hospital; (e) compulsory disclosure of names and addresses of contacts or other information as to possible sources of infection to a medical practitioner or other prescribed person; (f) control of employment of persons suffering from or suspected of being infected with a sexually transmitted disease; (g) duties and obligations of parents and guardians of children suffering from or suspected of being infected with a sexually transmitted disease; and (h) prevention of persons knowing or having reason to believe that they are infected with a sexually transmitted disease from infecting other persons. Prohibition of treatment by unqualified persons

(1) No person other than a medical practitioner shall treat or attempt to treat any patient for a sexually transmitted disease or recommend any internal or external medicine, medicament or appliance for the cure or alleviation of a sexually transmitted disease. (2) Whoever contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of one hundred dollars and to imprisonment for three months. Prohibition of unauthorised advertisement

(1) No person shall print or publish any advertisement or statement tending to promote the sale of any medicine, appliance or article for the alleviation or cure of any sexually transmitted disease or other disease affecting the generative organs or functions or of sexual impotence or of any complaint or infirmity arising from or relating to sexual intercourse. (2) In this section — “publish” includes — (a) cause to be published by supplying to the publisher of any magazine or newspaper, whether periodical or not, or of any book or other document; (b) exhibit in any manner to public view; and sell, offer for sale, or exhibit for perusal or inspection, whether for reward or gratuitously, whether in public or in private, and send by post or deliver in person or by messenger. (3) This section shall not apply to publications by the medical department of any Government or by any public hospital or other public body in the discharge of its lawful functions or by any society or person acting with the authority of the Cabinet first obtained, or to any books, documents or papers published in good faith for the advancement of medical science. (4) Whoever contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence unless that person shows — (a) that the subject matter of the charge is contained in a book or other publication of a generally lawful character distributed by that person in the ordinary course of that person’s trade and that such subject matter is not apparent on such examination as is usual on the part of distributors in circumstances similar to those of the accused; (b) when the matter was brought to that person’s notice that person gave all the assistance reasonably required of that person by the Chief Medical Officer and the police in tracing the source of the publication; and that person forthwith ceased distribution and took effective measures to prevent distribution of any undistributed stocks of the publication remaining under that person’s control, and is liable on a first conviction to a fine of two hundred dollars, and on a second or subsequent conviction to a fine of one thousand dollars and to imprisonment for six months. PART 8 - Swimming Pools Power to approve proposed swimming pools

Where an application is made to the Central Planning Authority under the Development and Planning Regulations (2024 Revision) for approval for the construction of a swimming pool, such application shall be refused unless it is accompanied by a certificate signed by the Senior Medical Officer of Health, certifying that that person is satisfied that, if the swimming pool is constructed in accordance with the proposals contained in the application, it will conform with public health requirements as to — (a) site; and (b) purity of the water supply. Senior Medical Officer of Health may order closure of swimming pools

The Senior Medical Officer of Health may, at that person’s discretion by notice in writing, order the owner or person in charge of any swimming pool to close such swimming pool either forthwith or within a specified time — (a) if there is an outbreak of any infectious disease; (b) if that person considers an outbreak of any infectious disease is apprehended; or if, as a result of a bacteriological examination or chemical analysis of the water, that person considers it to be prejudicial to the health of the users: Provided that, where the Senior Medical Officer of Health considers the matter to be one of urgency, notification in the Gazette shall be a sufficient notice to any owner or person in charge of a swimming pool. Power to rescind order closing swimming pools

Where an order has been made under section 39, the Senior Medical Officer of Health may, in like manner, rescind that order if satisfied that the reason for making it no longer exists. Penalty

Whoever uses or permits to be used any swimming pool during the period when its use was unlawful under this Part commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of five hundred dollars. PART 9 - Rodent Control Duty of Senior Medical Officer of Health

The Senior Medical Officer of Health shall take such steps as may be necessary to secure, as far as practical, that the Islands are kept free from rats and mice and in particular — (a) from time to time, cause to be carried out such inspection as may be necessary for the purpose aforesaid; (b) secure the destruction of the rats or mice on Government premises and otherwise to keep such premises, as far as practical, free from rats and mice; and enforce the duties of owners and occupiers of premises under sections 43 to 47 and to carry out such operations as are authorised therein. Obligation of occupier of premises

(1) The occupier of premises shall give to the Chief Environmental Health Officer forthwith notice in writing if it comes to the knowledge of such occupier that rats or mice are living on, or resorting to, that person’s premises. (2) Whoever fails to give a notice which that person is required to give under subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of fifty dollars. Power of Chief Environmental Health Officer to require action

(1) If, in the case of any premises, it appears to the Chief Environmental Health Officer, whether in consequence of a notice given in respect of the premises under section 43 or otherwise, that steps should be taken for the destruction of rats or mice on the premises or otherwise for keeping the premises free from rats or mice, the Chief Environmental Health Officer may serve on the owner or occupier of the premises a notice requiring that owner or occupier to take, within such reasonable period as may be specified in the notice, such reasonable steps for the purpose aforesaid as may be so specified; and, where the owner of any premises is not also the occupier thereof, separate notice may be served on the owner and the occupier. (2) Any such notice may — (a) require the application to the premises of any form of treatment specified in the notice; (b) require the carrying out on the premises of any structural repairs or other works so specified; and prescribe the times at which any treatment required by the notice to be carried out. (3) If, on complaint made by the owner of any premises, it appears to the Court that the occupier of the premises prevents the owner from carrying out any work which that person is required to carry out by a notice under this section, the Court may order the occupier to permit the carrying out of the work. Appeal to Court

Any person aggrieved by a notice served under this Part requiring the carrying out of any structural works may appeal to the Court. Remedies for failure to comply with notice

(1) Subject to section 45, if any person on whom a notice is served by the Chief Environmental Health Officer fails under that section to take any steps required by the notice at the time or within the period prescribed by the notice, the Chief Environmental Health Officer may take those steps and recover from that person any expenses reasonably incurred in doing so. (2) Without prejudice to subsection (1), but subject to section 45 with respect to appeals, whoever fails to take any steps as aforesaid commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine in the case of a first offence of one hundred dollars, and in the case of a second or subsequent offence of five hundred dollars. Additional powers of Chief Environmental Health Officer

(1) If it appears to the Chief Environmental Health Officer that rats or mice are found in substantial numbers on any premises in the occupation of different persons and it is expedient to deal with those premises as one unit for the purpose of destroying rats or mice or keeping the premises as far as practical free from rats or mice, that person may, without serving notices under section 44 on the occupiers or owners of those premises themselves take, in relation to the premises, such steps as that person considers necessary or expedient for the purpose aforesaid: Provided that the steps taken by the Chief Environmental Health Officer under subsection (1) shall not include the carrying out of any structural work. (2) Without prejudice to section 62, the Chief Environmental Health Officer shall, before taking any steps under subsection (1) in relation to any premises, give to the occupier at least seven days notice of the Chief Environmental Health Officer’s intention to do so, specifying the terms to be taken. (3) Any expenses reasonably incurred by the Chief Environmental Health Officer in taking steps under subsection (1), in relation to any premises, may be recovered by that person from the several occupiers thereof in such proportion as may be just having regard to the cost of the work done on the several premises. (4) For the purposes of this section any premises which are unoccupied shall be deemed to be in the occupation of the owner, and reference in this section to the occupier shall be construed accordingly. Recovery of expenses

Any expenses incurred by the Chief Environmental Health Officer under section 46 or 47 shall be recovered as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction. Regulations re rodent control

The Cabinet may make regulations — (a) for the control and destruction of rats and mice; and (b) prescribing fees for any service provided under this Part. PART 10 - Removal and Disposal of Refuse and Garbage Removal of house refuse, garbage, etc.

(1) The Chief Environmental Health Officer may undertake — (a) the removal of house refuse and garbage; and (b) the cleansing of earth closets, privies, septic tanks, cesspools or any of them; as respects the whole or any part of the Islands. (2) Where the Chief Environmental Health Officer has undertaken the performance of any of the services mentioned in subsection (1) the Cabinet may make regulations applicable to the area to which that undertaking extends — (a) imposing on the occupier of premises duties in connection with the removal, in order to facilitate the work which has been so undertaken; (b) prohibiting the deposit of dangerous substances or any liquid matter in dustbins or garbage cans; and prohibiting any person from removing any matter which the Chief Environmental Health Officer has undertaken to remove, not being matter produced on that person’s own premises which that person intends to remove for sale, or for that person’s own use, and which is kept in the meantime so as not to be a nuisance. (3) The Cabinet shall prescribe such charges for this service as the Cabinet thinks fit. Regulations re refuse and garbage

(1) Subject to section 47 of the Water Authority Act (2022 Revision), where the Chief Environmental Health Officer has not undertaken the performance of the service in question, the Cabinet may make regulations requiring the occupiers of premises in that part or parts of the Islands to remove and dispose of, at specified intervals, their house refuse, and garbage, or as the case may be, to cleanse at specified intervals their earth closets, privies, septic tanks and cesspools: Provided that no work done under this subsection shall create a nuisance. (2) Subsection (1) shall not apply to the extent that it is inconsistent with section 47 of the Water Authority Act (2022 Revision). Removal of trade refuse and garbage

(1) The Chief Environmental Health Officer may undertake the removal of trade refuse and garbage from premises within the Islands or from premises within any part of the Islands. (2) The Cabinet shall prescribe an economic charge for removing trade refuse under this section. (3) The Cabinet may, at the request of the owner or occupier of any premises, undertake to dispose of any refuse or garbage which may be delivered to a place appointed by the Cabinet, and shall make a charge for so doing. Regulation dustbins

(1) The Chief Environmental Health Officer may, by notice, require the owner or occupier of any building within the Islands to provide such reasonable number of covered dustbins for the reception of house refuse or garbage of such material, size and construction as the Chief Environmental Health Officer may approve. (2) Whoever fails to comply with a notice under subsection (1) or to maintain in good order and condition any dustbin which under that subsection that person has been required to provide, or to replace any such dustbin, when worn out, by a new dustbin of a material, size and construction approved by the Chief Environmental Health Officer, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of one hundred dollars and the Chief Environmental Health Officer may provide such dustbin, or such new dustbin, as may be required and may recover the expenses reasonably incurred by that person in so doing from the person in default. Deposit and disposal of refuse

(1) The Senior Medical Officer of Health may provide and maintain — (a) receptacles for refuse in streets and public places; (b) places for the deposit of refuse; and plant or apparatus for treating or disposing of refuse. (2) The Senior Medical Officer of Health may sell refuse removed from any premises or other place under this Part and shall forthwith pay the proceeds of all sales made by that person under this section into the Treasury. (3) Whoever, other than a person employed by the Government in connection with the removal and disposal of refuse and garbage, sorts out or disturbs — (a) the contents of any dustbin wherever deposited for the purpose of its contents being removed by Government employees; or (b) the material deposited in any place provided by the Government for the deposit of refuse, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of one hundred dollars. PART 11 - Infectious Waste Regulations re infectious waste

The Cabinet may make regulations for — (a) the collection, treatment and disposal of infectious waste and matters related thereto; (b) the establishment and conduct of a facility or facilities for the treatment of infectious waste; imposing on the occupier of premises duties in connection with the disposal of infectious waste; (d) prescribing the charges to be paid by the occupier of premises for the collection and removal of infectious waste; and (e) generally, the manner of dealing with infectious waste. PART 12 - Cemeteries and Crematoria Regulations re cemeteries and crematoria

The Cabinet may make regulations for — (a) the conduct of existing cemeteries; (b) the granting or refusal to grant licenses for the establishment of new cemeteries; the revocation of licences granted under paragraph (b); (d) prescribing fees for any service provided under this Part: (e) the establishment and conduct of a crematorium; (f) the burial of human bodies at sea; (g) the exhumation of human bodies; (h) the transport of human bodies by air or sea; and (i) the burial of bodies in private ground. PART 13 - Special Waste Handling Fees Special waste handling fees

(1) There shall be charged, collected and paid through Customs — (a) a special waste handling fee of two hundred and fifty dollars in respect of any motor vehicle (other than a motor cycle) imported into the Islands; (b) a special waste handling fee of seventy-five dollars in respect of any motor cycle imported into the Islands; a special waste handling fee of five dollars in respect of any lead-acid battery imported into the Islands; and (d) a special waste handling fee of two dollars in respect of any motor vehicle tyre imported into the Islands. (2) In this section — “Customs” means the Department of Customs and Border Control established under section 3 of the Customs and Border Control Act (2024 Revision) and includes any officer authorised to act on its behalf. PART 14 - Emergency Powers Emergency powers of Chief Medical Officer

(1) In case of urgency the Chief Medical Officer may, by order in writing, require any person to adopt any measures which that person considers necessary to prevent, or avert danger of, the spread of disease. Such an order shall specify the measures to be taken and shall be served personally by a Medical Officer of Health or an Environmental Health Officer who shall explain the matter to the persons concerned and superintend or assist in the carrying out of the measures specified. (2) Whoever makes default in complying with an order under subsection (1) or offers or threatens any resistance or obstruction to the carrying out of the order commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of five hundred dollars and to imprisonment for three months. PART 15 - Legal Proceedings Procedure

Where provision is made for the imposition of a daily penalty in respect of a continuing offence, the Court by which a person is convicted of the original offence may fix a reasonable period from the date of conviction for compliance by the defendant with any directions given by the Court, and where a Court has fixed such a period, the daily penalty shall not be recoverable in respect of any day before the expiration thereof. Restriction on right to prosecute

Proceedings in respect of an offence shall not, without the written consent of the Attorney-General, be taken by any person other than a party aggrieved, the Chief Medical Officer, a Medical Officer of Health or the Chief Environmental Health Officer. Costs

(1) Where a party who has been successful in proceedings under Part 3 was represented in the Court by an attorney-at-law the Court may, in its discretion, order the unsuccessful party or parties to pay, or contribute to, the costs of the successful party or parties. (2) The amount of a contribution shall be fixed by the Court and specified in the order. (3) Where such costs are to be taxed the order shall so provide and the costs shall be taxed by the Magistrate or by the Registrar of the Grand Court in the same manner as the costs of civil proceedings in the court in question. For this purpose the value of the claim or subject matter shall ordinarily be deemed to be the lowest for which a fee is provided and in assessing fees for matters for which fees are not provided the taxing officer shall use that person’s discretion, having regard to the fees provided for comparable matters. (4) In lieu of taxation either court may, in its discretion, fix a sum to compromise all the costs allowed. (5) Costs of proceedings under this Act in the Grand Court shall be allowed and, if necessary, taxed in accordance with the law and practice applied in comparable matters therein. Recovery of expenses

Any sum which the Cabinet is entitled to recover under this Act may be recovered as a civil debt or as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction. PART 16 - General Provisions Power of entry

The Chief Medical Officer, or anyone authorised in writing by that person, or a Medical Officer of Health or an Environmental Health Officer may, on producing, if so required, some duly authenticated document showing that person’s authority, enter into or upon any premises or vessel with or without assistants to ascertain whether there is, or has been, on or in connection with the premises any contravention of this Act or regulations made thereunder, being provisions which it is the duty of that person to enforce: Provided that — (a) unless specially authorised by a Medical Officer of Health in relation to those particular premises or vessel no such entry shall be made between sunset and sunrise; and (b) where the premises are a dwelling-house not less than six hours’ notice of intention to enter shall be given to the occupier, unless it is certified in writing by a Medical Officer of Health that to give such notice would defeat the object of the entry. Power of Magistrate, etc., to grant warrant

(1) If a Magistrate or a Justice of the Peace on sworn information in writing is satisfied that — (a) there is reasonable ground for entry into any premises or vessel for any purpose mentioned in section 64; and (b) admission to the premises or vessel has been refused or that refusal is apprehended or that an application for admission would defeat the purpose of the entry, or that the case is one of urgency or that the premises are unoccupied or that the occupier is temporarily absent, the Magistrate or Justice of the Peace may, by warrant under that person’s hand, authorise a Medical Officer of Health or an Environmental Health Officer to enter the premises, if need be by force. (2) Where a Medical Officer of Health or an Environmental Health Officer enters any premises or vessel under subsection (1) or a warrant issued hereunder, that person may take with that person such other persons as may be necessary, and, on leaving any unoccupied premises which that person has entered by virtue of such warrant, shall leave them as effectively secured against trespassers as that person found them. (3) Every warrant granted under this section shall continue in force for a period of one month. (4) Whoever refuses entry to, obstructs or hinders a Medical Officer of Health or an Environmental Health Officer or any other person empowered to enter premises by virtue of this section, or who fails or refuses to give information that person may lawfully be required to give to such officer or person, for the purpose of complying with any requirement under this Act, commits an offence: Provided, however, that nothing herein shall make it an offence for the owner or occupier of any dwelling-house to refuse entry thereto to any person on whom a right to make such entry is conferred by this Act if such person is not either authorised in that behalf by a warrant issued under subsection (1) or, pursuant to subsection (2), accompanying a person so authorised. Notices to be in writing; form of notices, etc.

(1) All notices, orders, consents, demands or other documents authorised or required by or under this Act shall be in writing. (2) All notices, orders, consents, demands or other documents authorised or required by or under this Act may be signed by the Chief Medical Officer or any officer authorised in writing by the Chief Medical Officer: Provided that a Medical Officer of Health and an Environmental Health Officer shall be deemed to be authorised under this section as respects documents relating to matters falling within their respective provinces. (3) The Cabinet may, by regulations, prescribe the form of any notice, certificate or other document to be used for any of the purposes of this Act, and if forms are so prescribed, those forms or forms to the like effect may be used in all cases to which those forms are applicable. Owner of premises need not be otherwise designated

Where in any proceedings under this Act, whether written or otherwise, it shall become necessary to mention or refer to the owner of any premises, it shall be sufficient to designate that person as the owner of such premises without name or further description. Service of notice, etc.

It shall be sufficient in all cases where any notices, orders or other documents are required to be given to, served on or delivered to the owner or occupier of any premises, to address the same to such owner or occupier, as the case may be, of the premises, naming them, in respect of which such notices, orders or other documents are to be given, served or delivered, without further name or description, and if so required or authorised to be given, served, or delivered under this Act, such notices, orders or other documents may be given, served or delivered by delivering the same to or at the residence of the person to whom they are respectively addressed or where addressed to the “owner” or “occupier” thereof, to some person on the premises or vessel, or if there is no person on the premises or vessel who can be served, by fixing the same on some conspicuous part of the premises or vessel; and they may also be served by sending the same through the post by registered letter, and such registered letter shall be deemed to have been received in the ordinary course of post as if there had been delivery thereof. Inaccuracies in documents

No misnomer or inaccurate description of any person, premises, building, street or place, named or described in any document prepared, issued or served under, by virtue of or for the purposes of this Act or any regulations shall in any way affect the operations of this Act or any regulations as respects that person or place if that person or place is so designated in the document as to be identifiable, and no proceedings taken under or by virtue of this Act or any regulations shall be invalid for want of form. Protection of public servants acting in good faith

A public officer shall not be personally liable in respect of any act done by that person in the execution or purported execution of this Act and within the scope of that person’s employment if that person did that act in the honest belief that that person’s duty under this Act required or entitled that person to do it. Penalties

(1) Whoever wilfully obstructs any person acting in the execution of this Act or regulations made thereunder, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of five hundred dollars and to a further fine of fifty dollars for each day on which the offence continues after conviction thereof. (2) Whoever commits an offence for which no specific penalty is provided under this Act is liable on conviction to a fine of ten thousand dollars and to imprisonment for two years and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine of five hundred dollars for every day on which the offence continues after conviction. (3) Any regulations may provide for a penalty on conviction for a breach thereof not exceeding the maximum provided in subsection (2). (4) The Chief Medical Officer may cause to be published in any newspaper — (a) the name of any person convicted of an offence under this Act or any regulation made hereunder; (b) the nature of the offence; and the penalty imposed. Fees for miscellaneous services

Without prejudice to any other provision of this Act, the Cabinet may make regulations prescribing fees, tariffs or charges for any service provided under this Act. (Section 2 and Part 6) Notifiable Diseases (1) Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) (18) Leprosy (1A) Avian influenza (19) Malaria (2) Chicken Pox (20) Measles (3) Cholera (21) Meningitis (4) Covid-19 (21A) Mpox (5) Dengue Fever (22) Mumps (6) Diarrhoeal disease (23) Plague (7) Diphtheria (25) Rabies (8) Ebola virus disease (26) Rubella (9) Encephalitis (27) Syphilis (10) Filariasis (28) Tetanus (11) Food-borne illness (29) Tuberculosis (12) Gastro-enteritis (30) Typhoid (13) Gonorrhoea (31) Viral hepatitis (14) Herpes (32) Whooping Cough (15) HIV infection (HIV antibody positive) (33) Yellow Fever. (16) Influenza (17) Lassa Fever Publication in consolidated and revised form authorised by the Cabinet this 28th day of January, 2026. Kim Bullings Clerk of the Cabinet Table of Legislation history: SL # Act/Law # Legislation Commencement Gazette 56/2025 Public Health (Amendment of Schedule) Notice, 2025 4-Dec-2025 LG49/2025/s1 32/2024 Public Health (Amendment of Schedule) Notice, 2024 4-Sep-2024 LG29/2024/s2 Public Health Act (2021 Revision) 19-Feb-2021 LG16/2021/s7 56/2020 Citation of Acts of Parliament Act, 2020 3-Dec-2020 LG89/2020/s1 54/2020 Public Health (Amendment) Law, 2020 12-Nov-2020 LG84/2020/s6 67/2020 Public Health Notice 1 of 2020 12-Mar-2020 GE19/2020/p1 Public Health Law (2002 Revision) 18-Jun-2002 G12/2002/s13 21/2001 Public Health (Amendment) Law, 2001 24-Sep-2001 GE22/2001/s1 Public Health Law (1996 Revision) 23-Dec-1996 G26/1996/s2 4/1990 Public Health (Amendment) Law, 1990 18-Apr-1990 GE18-Apr/1990/s2 9/1988 Public Health (Amendment of Schedule) Notice, 1988 29-Feb-1988 G5/1988/s2 43/1985 Public Health (Validation) Law, 1985 24-Dec-1985 GE24-Dec/1985/s7 10/1985 Public Health Law, 1981 (Commencement) Order, 1985 20-Dec-1985 GE20.Dec/1985/p1 18/1982 Water Authority Law, 1982 18-Apr-1983 G8/1983/s4 6/1981 Public Health Law, 1981 20-Dec-19851 G9/1981/s1 1 Although the Public Health Law, 1981[Law 6 of 1981] was not brought into force until the 20th December 1985, the Public Health (Validation) Law, 1985, [Law 43 of 1985] provided that anything which had been done between the 24th April, 1981 and the 20th December, 1985 in purported exercise of any power conferred by the Public Health Law, 1981[Law 6 of 1981] which would have been lawfully done if that Law had come into operation on the 24th April, 1981, shall for all purposes whatsoever be deemed to have been lawfully done and shall have effect and be deemed to have had effect accordingly. (Price: $8.80)