The fight against COVID-19 pandemic is a collective effort and responsibility and all individuals of a society have to exhibit very careful attitude towards it. But if some careless people do not pay heed to the calls of caution by the government in any country then laws come into action to protect the safety and security of all.
The State of Qatar has taken taken all necessary measures, in a very swift manner, to control the spread of coronavirus and also educating masses about their responsibilities in the face of global health challenge.
Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued on Thursday Law Number 9 of 2020 amending some of the provisions of the Decree Law Number 17 of 1990 on the prevention of infectious diseases.
Under the law, the provisions of Articles 4 of Decree Law Number 17 of 1990 will provide for that burden of reporting stipulated in the previous article falls on every doctor who examines someone who is infected or suspected of having an infectious disease; the infected person and their guardian, the president or representative of the infected person’s university, institute or school, infected person’s direct manager - if the infection took place or suspected to have taken place during performing work duties -, and on the employer, in case of expatriates, whether the infection took place inside or outside the state; when any of them knows about it.
Also among other amendments in the law, Article (6-bis) stipulates that every person who is placed in isolation or quarantine, with the knowledge of the health authorities, according to the provisions of the previous article, must remain in the place of isolation designated by that authority and abide by the procedures for isolation and control.
The provisions of articles 21 provides for that, without prejudice to any more severe punishment stipulated in any other law, including the procedures and measures taken by the Council of Ministers in accordance with the provisions of Article, any violation is punishable by imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years and a fine not exceeding QR200,000 or by either of these two penalties.
Meanwhile, Attorney-General H E Dr. Ali bin Fetais Al Marri recently issued a decision to establish the Health Prosecution, as part of the precautionary and preventive measures taken by the state to preserve public health and community safety.
The decision to establish the Health Prosecution comes within means to deter violators of public health laws. The new Prosecution office is responsible for investigating in all health-related crimes.
