Health Minister Empowered To Declare a Public Health Emergency

By Demion McTair Updated 11:45 p.m., Wednesday, 8 April 2020, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4)

Kingstown (ON SVG) – The Minister responsible for health is now empowered to declare a public health emergency as the Public Health Act of 1977 has been amended.

The amended Public Health Act empowers the Health Minister “to declare a public health emergency if required by the circumstances on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer” – Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment, Luke Browne posted on his official Facebook page today.

The Public Health Act also allows the Health Minister “to implement special measures to mitigate or remedy the emergency” – Browne said.

The amendment to the Public Health Act was made through the passing of a bill in Parliament on Tuesday April 7, 2020.

Quarantine and Isolation provisions were strengthened.

The bill for the amended Public Health Act received bipartisan support in the Parliament.

The changes to the Public Health Act come as the country tries to contain the spread of the Covid-19 disease.