The government has decided to ban all public and private events where large crowds of people will gather, says the police media division.

The Acting Inspector General of Police has instructed the officers to inform the general public in all police divisions using a sound truck, the statement issued by the police media division read.

In the meantime, it further noted that a police officer can arrest an individual without a warrant if he or she contravenes the regulations of the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance of 1987.

As per the Penal Code, any individual who negligent acts to spread injection of any disease dangerous to life (Article 262), maliciously act to spread infection of any disease dangerous to life (Article 263) or disobeys to a quarantine rule (Article 264) can be placed under arrest without a warrant and sentenced to jail.

Accordingly, a person arrested over the aforementioned offences can be granted bail under the provisions of the Bail Act. In addition, if the officer-in-charge is of the opinion that public reaction to the alleged offence is likely to give rise to a breach of peace, he can forward the suspect in custody before a magistrate having jurisdiction over such offence. 

The magistrate can also refuse the release of the suspect on bail as per Article 14 of the Bail Act.

In addition, Article 107 of the Criminal Procedure Code mentions that a peace officer may interpose for the purpose of preventing and shall to the best of his ability to prevent the commission of any cognizable offence.

The police accordingly, emphasizes that strict legal action will be sought under Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance of 1987, against any person violating quarantine regulations.