Since Covid-19 has severely hit the country, The Ministry of Health in Bangladesh has provided directions to be followed for it’s hindrance. A recent published Government declaration states that the punishment for non-use of mask and contravention of other health guidelines is either imprisonment not exceeding six (6) months or fine which does not exceed one (1) lakh taka or both following the provisions of section 24(1), 24(2) of THE COMMUNICABLE DISEASES (PREVENTION, CONTROL AND ERADICATION) ACT, 2018. It has been further declared that the punishment for obstructing Director General, civil surgeon or any other authorized person in exercise of their duties is imprisonment not exceeding three (3) months or fine not exceeding fifty (50) thousands taka or both as per the provisions of sections 25(1)(a), 25(1)(b) and 25(2) of such Act.
As declaration of lock down has been discontinued since June 1, working people are required to travel toward workplaces in limited scale. The same is the case of domestic flights. It is actually indispensable to impose punishment for breach of health rules in such situation otherwise people may neglect the guidelines resulting spread of Covid-19 in higher rate. The most important point here to determine is the proper implementation of law. Only having relevant law in the country is not enough, we need to have image of implementation of provisions of law.
Health is the most important wealth for citizens of a country which must be prioritized over all other phenomenon. Working individuals in Bangladesh not having private vehicles are compelled to travel by public transport having gathering of other passengers for purpose of attending work places. In this pandemic situation, the public transports must be checked by authorities to ensure maintenance of masks while travelling. The legal authorities should come forward to impose punishment for non use of masks of any of the passengers which amounts to implementation of relevant provision of law.
During continuation of lock down circumstance and also on the day of eid-ul-fitr, it was visible that many folks simply roamed around outside without having any pre cautions. As notice of punishment has recently been published by mentioning relevant sections of THE COMMUNICABLE DISEASES (PREVENTION, CONTROL AND ERADICATION) ACT, 2018, public should be aware of the fact they should take all kinds of pre cautions while going outside including having masks, hand gloves, hand sanitizers etc. and also maintaining social distance.
Over the recent months, the number of infected people in Bangladesh has reached to 119,198 and number of recorded death is 1,545. It is ambiguous that what the situation is going to be turned in future. Apart from providing punishment, it should be established that each and everyone own the legal responsibility to take the steps for prevention of communicable disease. Otherwise, we will have to face a situation which can be quoted as ‘Fish out of water’. It is better to prevent the horrible situation from occurring than it’s cure.
We cannot depend on the intuition that having provision of punishment in the relevant Act of 2018 is all we need to protect the citizens from the dangerous communicable disease like Covid-19. The authorities must be strict in maintaining the provision. It is not sufficient to have the strict provisions confined in the form of bare Act, articles, columns and discussions. Implementation of strict provision of law is really necessary and at the same time, people should be educated with the dangerous effect of Covid-19.
Government has undoubtedly taken a great initiative having passed THE COMMUNICABLE DISEASES (PREVENTION, CONTROL AND ERADICATION) ACT, 2018 in order to prevent contagious disease. We all know that the Covid-19 is not the first pandemic disease in the world and it is not going to be the last one. We all should follow the health guidelines prescribed by the Ministry of Health and also World Health Organization (WHO). A safe and healthy environment is all we need after all.
Nazia Amin
Lawyer and Writer
