Quarantine (General) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules of 1957, No. 13, issued under the Quarantine Act 1908-1950, were enacted to amend the Quarantine (General) Regulations. The objective was to address the need to formally prescribe smallpox as a disease requiring quarantine measures and to introduce a fee for the issuance of deratting exemption certificates. These regulations were made by the Governor-General in accordance with the advice of the Federal Executive Council and came into effect on 1 May 1957. The amendments introduced by these regulations sought to provide more precise and effective measures for preventing the spread of infectious diseases, particularly by specifying the period during which individuals arriving from overseas vessels would be subject to quarantine in relation to smallpox.

Scope and Application

The Quarantine (General) Regulations, made under the Quarantine Act 1908-1950, apply to individuals, vessels, and other entities entering Australia. The scope of these regulations includes the control and prevention of infectious diseases, particularly focusing on smallpox as a prescribed disease. The regulations determine the period for which individuals on overseas vessels must be considered at risk of carrying smallpox, which extends from three years before their arrival in Australia to eight days before the vessel's arrival. Additionally, the regulations require a fee of Two pounds two shillings for the issuance of a deratting exemption certificate, a measure designed to ensure vessels are free from vermin before entering Australian waters. The application of these regulations is national, covering the entire Commonwealth of Australia, and they were brought into effect on the first day of May, 1957. There are no specific exclusions or exemptions mentioned within the text, and the regulations are to be enforced as subordinate instruments under the overarching authority of the Quarantine Act.

Key Provisions

The Statutory Rules 1957 No. 13, made under the Quarantine Act 1908-1950, introduces new regulations primarily concerning the handling of prescribed diseases, specifically smallpox, and the issuing of Deratting Exemption Certificates. Regulation 14a (1), which is inserted after regulation 14 of the Quarantine (General) Regulations, identifies smallpox as a prescribed disease for the purposes of section 35(1a) of the Act. It also sets out a specific period, beginning three years before the arrival in Australia and ending eight days before the arrival date for those arriving directly from overseas, or eight days before the last day of presence on the vessel for those who have been on board but are not arriving directly. This regulation was designed to manage the risk of smallpox entering Australia and came into effect on 1 May 1957. Under these regulations, certain obligations are imposed on parties involved in the importation of goods and people into Australia. For instance, entities and individuals responsible for overseeing the arrival of overseas vessels must ensure that appropriate health checks are conducted within the prescribed timeframes to identify and manage the risk of smallpox. This includes the requirement to provide documentation and possibly detain individuals if necessary to prevent the spread of the disease. Additionally, the amendment to regulation 32 requires that a fee of Two Pounds Two Shillings be paid to issue a Deratting Exemption Certificate, ensuring that vessels are free from rat infestations, which can also be vectors for disease. Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to serious consequences. Although specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the provided text, breaches of quarantine regulations under the Quarantine Act 1908-1950 can generally result in significant civil and criminal penalties. Typically, such breaches may lead to fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the violation and any prior history of non-compliance. The exact penalties would be determined in accordance with the broader provisions of the Quarantine Act and any related legislation. The overarching intent is to enforce strict adherence to health and safety protocols to protect public health.