Quarantine (Plague) Regulations 1922

Overview

The Quarantine (Plague) Regulations 1922 were enacted by the Governor-General in Council, under the authority granted by the Quarantine Act 1908-1920, to address the specific public health concern of the plague outbreak in Australia during the early 20th century. These regulations aimed to prevent the spread of the plague by imposing strict measures on the transportation of goods and people from infected areas, ensuring that all goods are rat-proof and that individuals from plague-affected areas are medically inspected before leaving such areas. The policy objective is to safeguard the health of the Australian population by controlling and preventing the transmission of the plague through stringent quarantine measures. The Regulations mandate that any package or goods transported from a place proclaimed to be infected with plague must be securely packed to prevent access by rats or be certified as free from rats by an authorised officer. Additionally, merchandise from premises where plague has been detected must be certified as free from infection by the relevant health authority before it can be transported. Vessels arriving from infected areas must declare that they are free from plague-affected individuals or sick rodents, and passengers on such vessels must undergo medical inspection. The Regulations also prohibit the movement of individuals from plague-affected areas without a medical clearance certificate. Non-compliance with these provisions is subject to penalties, reinforcing the importance of adhering to the quarantine measures.

Scope and Application

The Quarantine (Plague) Regulations 1922, made under the Quarantine Act 1908-1920, apply to any individual, entity, or vessel engaged in the transportation of goods from or to proclaimed places infected with plague in any state or territory of Australia. This includes owners, agents, or masters of vessels and persons having control over railway systems. The geographic scope of these regulations extends across the Commonwealth, covering interstate and international movement of goods. The primary purpose is to prevent the spread of plague by ensuring that all packages and goods are rat-proof and free from plague-carrying rodents. Vessels arriving from proclaimed places must declare the absence of infected individuals and rodents, and undergo medical inspection before being allowed to leave the port. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in significant penalties, underscoring the strict enforcement aimed at protecting public health.

Key Provisions

The Quarantine (Plague) Regulations 1922 establish specific requirements and restrictions concerning the movement of goods and people from areas affected by plague. Section 4 mandates that any package of merchandise or goods transported from a proclaimed plague area must be packed in a way that completely prevents rats from accessing the interior, or must be inspected and certified as rat-free by an authorized officer. Similarly, Section 5 dictates that goods originating from premises where plague has been detected must be certified by the Health Authority as free from infection before they can be transported to another state or territory. The term "person," as defined in Section 6, includes owners, agents, masters of vessels, and other individuals in control of transportation means. These regulations impose clear obligations on various parties. For instance, Section 7 requires the master of any vessel arriving from a proclaimed place to submit a declaration stating that there are no infected individuals or dead or sick rodents on board and to prevent unauthorized boarding or disembarking until this declaration is handed over to an authorized person. Section 8 mandates that medical inspections be conducted by a Quarantine Officer before a vessel is allowed to leave a port in a proclaimed place, with a fee of £2 2s. payable for such inspections and any accompanying certificates. Additionally, Section 8 prohibits the departure of a vessel with any person who was not present during the medical inspection. Violations of these regulations result in significant penalties. Section 9 states that any contravention or failure to comply with the provisions of these regulations constitutes an offence, with a penalty not exceeding £100 where no other penalty is specified. Furthermore, Section 8 includes a specific penalty of £50 for the master of a vessel who allows the departure of the vessel without completing the required medical inspection. These stringent measures underscore the importance of adhering to the regulations to prevent the spread of plague.