In forceAmended2020 Revised Edition

Contents

Infectious Diseases Act 1976 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 3 · Control of Infectious Diseases Within Singapore

19. Closure and disinfection of premises

Amended

Last amended by an amending law of 2023. 3 amendments in all.

(1)

If the Director-General of Health has reason to believe that there exist on any premises conditions that are likely to lead to the outbreak or spread of any infectious disease, the Director-General of Health may, by written notice —

(a)

order the closure of the premises for a period not exceeding 14 days; or

(b)

prohibit the sale or distribution of food or water at the premises for the period specified in the notice,and may require the owner or occupier of the premises to —

(c)

cleanse or disinfect the premises in the manner and within the time specified in the notice; or

(d)

carry out the additional measures that the Director-General of Health may require in the manner and within the time specified in the notice.

(2)

A notice under subsection (1)(a) directing the owner or the occupier of the premises to close the premises may be renewed by the Director-General of Health from time to time for such period, not exceeding 14 days, as the Director-General of Health may, by written notice, specify.

(3)

Subject to subsection (7), any person who fails to comply with a notice given to the person by the Director-General of Health under subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence.

(4)

When any premises have been ordered to be closed under subsection (1)(a), any person who enters those premises without the permission of the Director-General of Health shall be guilty of an offence.

(5)

Without affecting any proceedings under subsection (3), where a notice issued by the Director-General of Health under subsection (1) has not been complied with, the Director-General of Health, a Health Officer or a police officer may, without warrant and with such force as may be necessary, enter the premises to which the notice relates and close the premises or take or cause to be taken the measures specified in the notice.

(6)

The costs and expenses incurred by the Director-General of Health or a Health Officer under subsection (5) must be paid by the person in default and may be recovered as a debt due to the Government.

(7)

Any person who is aggrieved by any order or requirement of the Director-General of Health as contained in a notice given to the person under subsection (1) may, within 7 days from the date of the notice, appeal to the appropriate Minister whose decision is final.

(8)

Even though an appeal under subsection (7) is pending, a notice issued by the Director-General of Health under subsection (1) takes effect from the date specified by the Director-General of Health, unless the appropriate Minister otherwise directs.

Terms defined in s 2

appropriate Minister
Defined · s 2
“appropriate Minister” means —(a)in the following cases, the Minister charged with the responsibility for health and sanitary measures in relation to vessels, aircraft, vehicles and persons entering or leaving Singapore:(i)the establishment of any advisory committee under section 5 for the purpose of giving advice to the Director‑General or the Director‑General, Food Administration;(ii)any purpose relating to sections 28, 29 and 33 to 45, including the making of subsidiary legislation in relation to any of those sections; or(b)in any other case, the Minister charged with the responsibility for regulation of diseases and disease control;
Open s 2
Director-General
Defined · s 2
“Director-General” means the Director‑General of Public Health appointed under section 3(1) of the Environmental Public Health Act 1987;
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Health Officer
Defined · s 2
“Health Officer” means a Health Officer appointed by the Director‑General, the Director‑General, Food Administration or the Director under section 4;
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infectious disease
Defined · s 2
“infectious disease” means —(a)any of the diseases specified in the First Schedule; and(b)for the purposes of sections 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 17A, 19, 55, 57A and 59A, includes any other disease —(i)that is caused or is suspected to be caused by a micro‑organism or any agent of disease;(ii)that is capable or is suspected to be capable of transmission by any means to human beings; and(iii)that, the Director has reason to believe, if left uninvestigated or unchecked, is likely to result in an epidemic of the disease;
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occupier
Defined · s 2
“occupier”, in relation to any premises or vessel, means the person in occupation of the premises or vessel or having the charge or control thereof either on the person’s own account or as an agent of another person;
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owner
Defined · s 2
“owner”, in relation to any premises or vessel, means the person for the time being receiving the rent of the premises or vessel whether on the person’s own account or as agent, trustee or receiver or who would receive the same if the premises or the vessel were let or chartered;
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premises
Defined · s 2
“premises” means messuages, buildings, lands, easements and hereditaments of any tenure whether open or enclosed, whether public or private and whether maintained or not under statutory authority, and includes any place or structure or any part thereof used or intended to be used for human habitation or for employment or any other purpose;
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