This Act is enacted to make provisions for the quarantine and the prevention of infectious diseases.
The appropriate Minister may establish one or more advisory committees for the purpose of giving advice to the Director-General or the Director of Medical Services with regard to such matters arising out of the administration of this Act. In terms of control of infectious diseases within Singapore, the Director may institute public health surveillance programmes or undertake epidemiological investigations or surveys of people, animals or vectors in order to determine the existence, prevalence or incidence, or to determine the likelihood of a possible outbreak of any infectious disease. For prevention of introduction of infectious diseases into Singapore, where the Minister has reason to believe that a dangerous infectious disease may be introduced into Singapore from or through any area in Singapore or elsewhere, he may declare that area to be an infected area. All vessels, persons and articles coming from an infected area shall be deemed to be infected unless otherwise declared by the Director. No person shall import or bring or cause to be imported or brought into Singapore any vectors capable of transmitting a disease without first obtaining the written permission of the Director-General.