The Himachal Pradesh government on March 12 notified the Himachal Pradesh Epidemic Disease (Covid-19) Regulations, 2020, for surveillance, prevention and control of coronavirus under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.

"The state of Himachal Pradesh is threatened by the outbreak of the dangerous epidemic disease namely Covid-19. The ordinary provisions of the law in force for the time being are insufficient for the purpose of surveillance, prevention and control of the epidemic," said a government notification. Anyone disobeying the regulations or orders under the Epidemic Diseases Act is liable for punishment, it said.

Informing the Assembly about the measures taken by the state government in view of the coronavirus threat, Himachal Chief Minister said the government is prepared to deal with the situation and there is no need to panic. "However, everyone needs to be vigilant and cautious," he said. He said following the Central government's advisory, the state has also issued a similar note urging people to postpone public meetings and social gatherings. "If at all they are necessary, they have to held with utmost caution," he said.

The Chief Minister said that so far 426 persons have come to Himachal from coronavirus affected countries. Of these, a list of 266 persons was provided by the Central government, while 160 others informed the government on their own. He said that samples of four persons, who complained of cough and cold, were sent for testing to Delhi and the results have come negative.