Infected Zone Management

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:—

Infected Zone Management

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 infectioncontrol 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. — (1) The conservator shall ensure that
measures taken under these rules are—
(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 subrule (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.

Infected Zone Management

Infected Zone Management

The Gazette of India

Download PDF Click here

Read more