The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the appointment of a review committee to examine proposed amendments to the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance No. 3 of 1897, with the aim of strengthening the legal framework to address current and future public health challenges.
The Ordinance serves as the country’s principal law governing the prevention of communicable diseases and the implementation of quarantine measures.
The government has identified an increased risk of cross-border disease transmission due to the growing movement of people, goods and services, as well as increased international travel and trade.
Cabinet approval had previously been granted in 2016 to amend the Ordinance, but the proposed amendment Bill was not presented to Parliament.
Following a proposal by the Minister of Health and Mass Media, Cabinet has now approved the appointment of a review committee to study the draft amendments, taking into account lessons learned from pandemics experienced in recent years.
The committee will recommend necessary revisions to ensure the country is better equipped to respond to both existing and emerging infectious disease threats.
