Divisional directors of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), district civil surgeons and upazila health and family planning officers can take legal actions through running mobile courts to tackle the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The DGHS issued a letter to the authorities concerned in this regard yesterday.

According to the letter, the DGHS divisional directors, civil surgeons and upazila health and family planning officers can take legal measures in a bid to curb the spread of the novel disease.

Under the Infectious Disease (Prevention, Control and Elimination) Act, 2018, they can give punishments of six-month imprisonment or fine Tk 1 lakh or impose both punishments, if anyone commits the crime of concealing information about any infectious disease.

Besides, if anyone denies to follow instructions or create obstruction to duty in this regard, the authorised persons can sentence more than three-month jail terms or fine Tk 50,000 or issue both punishments.

Additionally, the authorised persons can sentence two-month in prison or fine Tk 25,000 or issue both punishment if anyone spreads wrong or false information about the infectious disease.

Dr Mahmudul Hasan, upazila health and family planning officer in Jajira, told The Daily Star that he received a letter regarding the matter today.