Bill To Validate Official Acts Of Quarantine Authority Approved By House

A Bill to validate and confirm as lawful, all official acts done by the purported members of the Quarantine Authority was passed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, November 18.

The Quarantine (Validation and Indemnification) Act was piloted by Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson.

Dr. Ferguson explained that Section 3 (3) of the Quarantine Act facilitates the appointment of members of the Quarantine Authority to serve for a period of three years.

“After the expiration of their tenure, the above named mentioned Authority continued to perform official duties under the Act beyond their tenure, namely during the period commencing February 4, 2011 and ending June 12, 2011, without being duly re-appointed in accordance with the provisions of the Act,” he explained.

Dr. Ferguson further noted that Cabinet approved the appointment of new members to the Authority and decided that a validating and indemnifying legislation would be required to confirm the continuation in office of the members of the previous Authority for the period commencing February 4, 2011 and ending June 12, 2011.

“Accordingly, the purpose of the Bill is to validate and confirm as lawful, all official acts done by the purported members of the Authority in good faith…and to indemnify members of the Authority from liability in relation thereto,” he said.

The Bill will be sent to the Senate for its approval.