The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897

The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 was enacted to provide for the prevention of the spread of dangerous epidemic diseases. The Act empowers both the central and state governments to take special measures and prescribe regulations for the inspection of ships or vessels leaving or arriving at any port. It also allows the government to detain any person who has recently been in an infected area and restrict their movement. The Act further empowers the government to take any other measures that may be deemed necessary for the prevention of the spread of the disease. The Act has been used to combat various epidemics in India, including the COVID-19 pandemic.