Infected Zone Management

REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 The Gazette of India CG-DL-E-01092026-275902 EXTRAORDINARY PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (i) PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 696] NEW DELHI, SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2026/BHADRA 7, 1948 MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 28th August, 2026 G.S.R. 762(E). - Whereas the draft of the Infected Zone Management, Reporting and Control of Communicable Disease at Ports Rules, 2026 were published by the Government of India in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, vide notification number G.S.R.304(E), dated 22nd April, 2026 in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), inviting objections and suggestions from all persons likely to be affected thereby, before the expiry of the period of thirty days from the date on which copies of the Official Gazette containing the said notification were made available to public; AND whereas, copies of the said Official Gazette were made available to the public on 22nd April, 2026; AND whereas, objections and suggestions received from the public in respect of the said draft rules have been duly considered by the Central Government; NOW, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clause (g) of sub-section (2) of section 76 and sub-section (1) and clauses (c) and (d) of sub-section (2) of section 78 of the Indian Ports Act, 2025 (27 of 2025), the Central Government, hereby makes the following rules, namely:— CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY 1. Short title and commencement. (1) These rules may be called the Infected Zone (Management, Reporting and Control of Infectious or Contagious Disease at Ports) Rules, 2026. (2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. 2. Application. — The provisions of (a) rules 4 to 15 shall apply to all major ports and to such part of the port limits of a major port declared as an infected zone under clause (a) of sub-section (4) of section 24 of the Act; (b) rules 16 to 28 shall apply to every port to which the Act extends and to every vessel arriving at, departing from, or being within such port. 3. Definitions. (1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires, — (a) "Act" means the Indian Ports Act, 2025 (27 of 2025); (b) "Authority" means the Authority as defined under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Act; (c) "infectious or contagious disease" means a disease capable of being transmitted directly from one human to another without an intervening vector or vehicle; (d) "infected zone” means any territory or space or geographical location experiencing ongoing public health emergency of international concern or pandemic emergency or public health risk within the limits of any port or its adjoining areas that is declared infected under clause (a) of sub-section (4) of section 24 of the Act; (e) "port health officer”, means the health officer appointed under sub-section (1) of section 24 of the Act; (f) "suspected case” means persons, baggage, cargo, containers, ship or conveyances, goods, postal parcels considered by port health officer as having been exposed, or possibly exposed, to a public health risk and that could be a possible source of spread of disease. (2) The words and expressions used in these rules and not defined, but defined in the Act or the rules made thereunder shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act or the said rules. CHAPTER II INFECTED ZONE MANAGEMENT 4. Measures to be taken at infected zone. (1) The measures referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (4) of section 24 of the Act shall be taken having regard to the following factors, namely: — (a) the need to prevent, control or contain the spread of infectious or contagious diseases from, within, or through an infected zone; (b) the need to maintain a safe environment for seafarers, workers, passengers and the local community, while minimising unnecessary interference with port operations, trade and travel; (c) the need to ensure that such measures— (i) are based on the assessed public health risk and are proportionate to such risk; (ii) remain in force only for such period as is necessary and subject to periodic review; (iii) are consistent with India's obligations under applicable international instruments relating to public health and maritime transport; and (iv) are implemented with due regard to dignity, human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals. 5. Preparedness and infected zone management plan. — (1) Every major port shall prepare and maintain a port infected zone management plan for its implementation in the event of a declaration of an infected zone under the Act. (2) The port infected zone management plan shall, inter alia, provide for— (a) organisational structure and designation of responsible officers; (b) procedures for rapid delineation and marking of infected zones; (c) protocols for health screening, isolation, quarantine and medical referral of persons; (d) environmental sanitation, disinfection and vector-control arrangements; (e) continuity of essential port operations, including safe handling of cargo and critical supplies; (f) communication, information-sharing and escalation mechanisms with the port health organisation, district or State health authorities and other agencies; and (g) training, drills and periodic review. (3) The port infected zone management plan shall be prepared in consultation with the port health organisation and shall be reviewed once in two years or earlier, as may be directed by the Central Government. 6. Declaration and publication of infected zone. (1) The declaration of any berth, terminal, anchorage, warehouse, or other area of the port as an infected zone under clause (a) of sub-section (4) of section 24 of the Act shall be made on the basis of the advice of the Authority. (2) Every declaration of an infected zone shall— (a) specify the geographical boundaries of the zone; (b) identify the nature of the infection or the hazard; (c) state the duration of applicability, subject to review; and (d) be published on the website of the port. (3) The Authority shall communicate the declaration referred to in sub-rule (2) to the mariners, shipping lines, terminal operators, customs, immigration and other agencies. (4) In case the infected zone includes any portion of a national waterway overlapping with port limits, the Inland Waterways Authority of India shall be informed for navigation management and issuing advisories. Explanation.- For the purposes of this sub-rule, the expression “Inland Waterways Authority of India" means the Inland Waterways Authority of India constituted under section 3 of the Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985 (82 of 1985). (5) The Authority shall review such declaration every seven days or at such intervals as the port health officer may determine. 7. Restriction on entry, movement and operations. — (1) No vessel, crew, passenger, port worker, or visitor shall enter or exit an infected zone except with the written permission of the port health officer. (2) The cargo operations, berthing, pilotage, bunkering, provisioning or any other port activity in the infected zone shall be regulated, restricted, or suspended as may be determined by the port health officer. (3) The Authority may direct— (a) movement of vessels to designated quarantine berths; (b) segregation of infected cargo or contaminated material; (c) isolation of affected workers or crew; and (d) diversion of port traffic to alternate terminals. (4) The provisions of this rule shall be applicable to inland vessels and be limited to such vessels which are port-bound or operating within the notified port limits. Explanation. For the purposes of this sub-rule, the expression “inland vessel” means the inland vessel as defined in clause (q) of section 3 of the Inland Vessels Act, 2021 (24 of 2021). 8. Health surveillance and screening. (1) Continuous surveillance shall be maintained within the infected zone by the port health officer in coordination with the conservator and the Authority to contain the spread of infectious or contagious disease. (2) Every vessel arriving at or operating within the infected zone shall furnish— (a) a maritime declaration of health; (b) crew or passenger health records; and (c) any additional health information required under the International Health Regulations. Explanation. For the purposes of this sub-rule, the expression “International Health Regulations" means the International Health Regulations, 2005 of the World Health Organization. (3) The port health officer may conduct temperature screening, medical examination, testing, and risk assessment of crew, passengers and port workers. (4) Any person suspected of infection shall be placed under isolation, quarantine or medical observation in accordance with the protocols issued by the Central Government from time to time. 9. Sanitation and disinfection. (1) The Authority may require the master of vessel or terminal operator to take steps for— (a) the disinfection, fumigation, or vector control of the vessel, cargo, containers, equipment, or premises; (b) the safe disposal of contaminated waste; and (c) the water sanitation, ballast water checks, and air-quality control. (2) The disinfection measures shall conform to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the World Health Organization, the International Maritime Organization, or any competent authority. 10. Operational controls on cargo and containers. (1) The cargo originating from, transiting through, or unloaded in, the infected zone, shall be subject to such additional checks, treatment or certification, as the port health officer may direct. (2) No contaminated cargo or material shall be released from the port without a written clearance. (3) The container-handling equipment used within the infected zone shall undergo mandatory sanitisation before redeployment. 11. Worker's safety and protective measures. (1) The Authority shall, in consultation with the port health officer and employers operating within the infected zone, ensure that— (a) the workers who are required to enter or remain in the infected zone are provided with appropriate personal protective equipment and training for its correct use; (b) the work schedules and deployment are so arranged as to reduce exposure, including where feasible, by rotation of duties and minimisation of overtime in high-risk areas; and (c) any worker who is unwell, or who is identified as a suspected or confirmed case or close contact, is promptly relieved from duty and referred for medical assessment. (2) The employers shall not require any worker to enter or remain in the infected zone in contravention of any direction issued by the port health officer or the Authority. (3) The terminal operators shall maintain the logs of deployment of workers, issuance of personal protective equipment and exposure records. (4) No worker shall be deployed by the employer in an infected zone without adequate training in infection- control procedures. 12. Communication, coordination, and reporting. — (1) The Authority shall establish a unified incident command structure to facilitate coordination and communication among the customs, immigration, coast guard, police, shipping agents, the health department and such other agencies as may be necessary for the effective management of public health incidents. (2) The masters of vessels shall immediately report to the Authority any signs of illness, contamination, or unusual mortality on board. (3) The Authority shall provide daily updates on the status of the infected zone to stakeholders, including shipping lines and port users. (4) The port health officer shall submit a report to the Directorate General of Health Services on the surveillance data shared with the Authority and the integrated disease surveillance programme. 13. Compliance of directions issued. Every master, vessel agent, terminal operator, and port user shall comply with the directions issued under these rules and failure to comply with such directions may attract suspension of operations, denial of berthing priority, or any other action as the Authority deems necessary. 14. Declaration and publication of infection free zone. (1) The Authority shall, on the advice of the port health officer, declare the infected zone as infection free zone after confirming that — (a) no active threat remains; (b) all vessels, equipment, and premises have been sanitised; and (c) the surveillance indicators conform to national and international norms. (2) The Authority shall communicate the declaration referred to in sub-rule (1) to the mariners, shipping lines, terminal operators, customs, immigration and other agencies. 15. Power to issue contingency protocols. —The Authority may issue contingency protocols consistent with these rules to ensure effective management of infected zones. CHAPTER III ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE CONSERVATOR AND THE DIRECTIONS THERETO 16. Report of infectious or contagious disease. – (1) Whenever any infectious or contagious disease has broken out or is reasonably suspected to break out on a vessel arriving at or being in any port, the information of such infectious or contagious disease shall be brought to the knowledge of the Government or the conservator by— (a) the master containing the particulars of such disease; or (b) the port health officer; or (c) any other reliable source. Explanation. For the purposes of this sub-rule, the expression “reasonably suspected to break out" includes situations where— (i) one or more suspected cases are present on board; or (ii) there has been known exposure to a confirmed case or outbreak at a previous port or during the voyage. (2) The duty to report such information under sub-rule (1) shall arise whenever— (a) a case or suspected case of any infectious or contagious disease is identified on board; (b) there has been a death on board from unknown causes or suspected infectious disease during the voyage or while in port; or (c) there is an unusual aggregation of cases of illness on board which may indicate an outbreak. (3) The reporting under sub-rule (1) shall be mandatory regardless of whether the vessel is— (a) at anchorage; (b) underway; (c) berthed; or (d) engaged in cargo, bunkering, or passenger operations. (4) The port health officer shall give a report or advice on the information received under sub-rule (1) to the conservator. (5) Where the Government receives the information as referred to in sub-rule (1), such information shall be communicated to the conservator to take action in accordance with these rules. 17. Levels of response. —The conservator may, for operational purposes, categorise the situations into one of the following categories, namely:— (a) isolated suspected cases with low risk of onward transmission as level 1 category or enhanced vigilance category; (b) one or more confirmed cases, or cluster of suspected cases, on a single vessel with potential for spread as level 2 category or containment category; (c) multiple cases or high transmissibility disease with potential spread to other vessels, port workers or the community, including in the context of a declared public health emergency of international concern as level 3 category or escalated response category. Explanation. For the purposes of this rule, the expression “public health emergency of international concern" means an extraordinary event which is determined— (i) to constitute a public health risk to the country and other countries through international spread of disease; and (ii) to potentially require a coordinated international response. 18. Powers and duties of conservator. (1) The conservator may issue directions, written or oral (with subsequent written confirmation), to any master, owner, agent, or person in charge of a vessel, structure, or premises within port limits, including directions— (a) to vessels— (i) to shift anchorage or berth; (ii) to heave up anchor, move, tow, or moor at designated locations; (iii) to cease operations, including cargo handling, bunkering, or passenger movement; (iv) to comply with speed limits, navigational routes, tidal windows, or pilotage requirements; and (v) to take measures to prevent grounding, collision, pollution, or obstruction. (b) to terminals and operators— (i) to suspend or modify operations in affected areas; (ii) to remove equipment or objects creating obstructions; and (iii) to implement emergency pollution-control, fire-safety, or spill-containment measures. (c) to individuals or organisations— (i) to vacate unsafe zones; (ii) to comply with safety protocols; and (iii) to provide access, documents, or cooperation for inspections. (2) The conservator shall, as soon as practicable, after becoming aware that an infectious or contagious disease has broken out or is reasonably suspected to break out in vessels arriving at, or being in, any port, inform and coordinate with— (i) the port health officer; (ii) any local or State public health authority designated for the purpose; and (iii) such other agencies as may be required, including immigration, customs, coast guard or police. (3) The conservator may establish a joint incident coordination mechanism with the port health officer and other key agencies for level 2 or level 3 categories referred to in rule 17, including regular situation updates and joint planning. (4) The conservator shall take operational measures to support and give effect to such decisions on diagnosis, treatment, isolation or quarantine of persons as may be given by the port health officer. (5) The conservator shall maintain a register of all directions issued, including date, time, nature of direction, and compliance status and submit a consolidated monthly report thereof, to the Authority. 19. Communication and publication. — (1) The conservator may circulate urgent directions through— (a) very high frequency radio; or (b) local notices; or (c) email or short message service alerts; or (d) vessel Traffic services advisories. (2) The directions affecting port operations shall be published on the website of the port. 20. Assistance from other agencies. The conservator may request the assistance of pilotage services, harbour master, coast guard, police, fire services, environmental agencies, and any other agencies as may be necessary for compliance with the directions under these rules. 21. Proportionality, review and withdrawal of measures. measures taken under these rules are— (1) The conservator shall ensure that (a) proportionate to the risk levels referred to in rule 17; (b) periodically reviewed in consultation with the port health officer; and (c) withdrawn or relaxed as soon as the risk situation is reduced to a level where such measures are no longer necessary. (2) For level 2 or level 3 situations categorised under rule 17, the conservator and port health officer shall jointly review the situation at intervals not exceeding seven days for the continuance, modification or discontinuance of specific measures. CHAPTER IV REPORTING OF DISEASE BY MASTER OF VESSEL 22. Timing of report. — (1) Where a suspected case of infectious or contagious disease is known before arrival of the vessel, the master shall report such case— (a) at least twenty-four hours before arrival; or (b) at the earliest possible time, if voyage duration is less than twenty-four hours. (2) If an infectious or contagious disease is detected during voyage, the master shall report such detection immediately. (3) If the infectious or contagious disease occurs after berthing, the master shall report the conservator and port health officer without delay. 23. Manner of reporting. — (1) The master shall primarily report the infectious or contagious disease through— (a) very high frequency radio (channel designated by the port); or (b) e-mail to the port health office; or (c) electronic portal designated by the Authority; or (d) written communication via the agent. (2) The master shall submit a maritime declaration of health with the particulars including — (a) symptoms and nature of infectious or contagious disease; (b) number of affected persons; (c) details of isolation measures taken on board; (d) port of call list for thirty days with arrival and departure dates; (e) any deaths on board; and (f) sanitary measures undertaken. (3) The master shall provide supplementary report containing— (a) updated medical logs; (b) crew and passenger lists; (c) details of last medical inspection; (d) vaccination certificates or health documents if required; and (e) details of any stowaways on board as per International Maritime Organization standard format; (f) details of ports transited through the yellow fever endemic countries in the last thirty days, before arrival, if any. 24. Information to be provided. — The report submitted under sub-rule (1) of rule 22 by the master shall include the following details, namely: (a) vessel name, International Maritime Organization number, flag, and type; (b) last port of call and next port of call; (c) description of the infectious or contagious disease or symptoms detected; (d) number of affected persons (crew and passengers separately); (e) health condition of each affected person; (f) measures undertaken on board (isolation, disinfection, treatment); (g) any request for medical evacuation or assistance; and (h) the requirement for quarantine or special berthing instructions. 25. Duties of master after reporting. After reporting, the master shall— (a) isolate the affected person as per World Health Organization protocol; (b) restrict movement of crew and passengers as advised by the port health officer; (c) prohibit shore leave unless permitted; (d) comply with directions of the conservator and the port health officer; (e) maintain sanitation and hygiene measures on board; (f) make the vessel available for inspection by the port health officers. 26. Directions by conservator and port health officer. Upon receipt of the master's report under sub- rule (1) of rule 22, the conservator, after taking into consideration the directions of the port health officer, may direct the vessel to — (a) anchor at quarantine anchorage; (b) berth at an isolated or quarantine berth; (c) cease cargo or passenger operations; (d) undertake cleaning, disinfection, fumigation; (e) undergo medical inspection or testing; (f) disembark affected individuals for treatment; (g) comply with any public-health advisory. 27. Failure to report. The Authority, on failure to report infectious or contagious disease, delay in reporting, or concealment of information, may— (a) refuse port clearance; or (c) detain the vessel; or (d) recover the costs for containment, quarantine, or emergency measures. 28. Confidentiality, retention and disclosure of reports. —(1) The conservator and port health officer shall maintain a confidential register of reports relating to infectious or contagious disease. (2) The records referred to in sub-rule (i) shall be retained for at least seven years from the date of their entry in the register. (3) The information contained in the register or records maintained under this rule may be disclosed only to such authorities or agencies as are authorised under any law for the time being in force, including the World Health Organization, State health department, and Immigration authorities to the extent necessary for discharge of their functions. [F.No. PD-24015/1/2025-PD-I-Part(1)/E-378339] PRAVEEN P. NAIR, Jt. Secy.