Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 511 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Chapter 511-9 - EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Subject 511-9-1 - ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE
Rule 511-9-1-.05 - Procedures for Implementing Isolation and Quarantine
Universal Citation: GA Rules and Regs r 511-9-1-.05
Current through Rules and Regulations filed through March 20, 2024
(1) Issuance of Isolation or Quarantine Orders. The isolation or quarantine of an individual or group, whether during a declared state of emergency or not, shall be conducted as follows:
(a) A written administrative order to isolate
or quarantine an individual or group of individuals shall be issued when
voluntary measures are deemed impracticable or ineffective. Orders shall become
effective immediately upon issuance.
(b) Orders for isolation and quarantine may
include, without limitation, confinement in a residence or other private or
public premises including medical and non-medical facilities; conditions on
travel or behavior; and exclusion of individuals or groups from certain places,
including but not limited to school, workplace, public conveyances, and other
places where members of the public may congregate; or a requirement that a
person self-monitor specified health conditions (e.g., body temperature) and
report their findings.
(c)
Administrative orders to isolate or quarantine an individual or a group of
individuals may be issued orally if delay in imposing the isolation or
quarantine would pose a serious imminent danger to the public health. If an
oral order is issued, a written order shall be issued as soon as is reasonably
possible, but in no event later than 24 hours following the issuance of the
oral order.
(d) A copy of the
written order shall be personally delivered to the individual to be isolated or
quarantined or, if that is not possible, by any means reasonably calculated to
provide actual notice. If the order applies to a group of individuals and it is
impractical to provide individual copies, the order shall be posted in a
conspicuous place in the isolation or quarantine premises.
(e) The order of isolation or quarantine
shall include the following:
1. Full name and
address of person or description of the group subject to the order.
2. The clinical grounds for believing that
the individual or group is infected with, or may have been exposed to, a
communicable disease.
3. The
location where the individual or group will be confined during the period of
isolation or quarantine
4. The
exact date and time when the period of isolation or quarantine will expire. If
it is not possible to fix an exact date, then the order should specify the
conditions or circumstances under which the individual or group would no longer
pose a threat to the public health and confinement would end (e.g., the
disappearance or absence of specified clinical symptoms.)
5. The conditions under which the individual
or group will be isolated or quarantined.
6. Notice of right to challenge the isolation
or quarantine.
(f) When
individuals or groups are isolated or quarantined, whether through an
administrative order or through voluntary compliance, the Department or county
board of health shall determine what method and place of isolation or
quarantine is appropriate based upon the suitability of an individual's home or
other designated facility and the services available.
(g) To the greatest extent that it is
possible to do so without jeopardizing the integrity of the isolation or
quarantine, the authority issuing the isolation or quarantine order shall
preserve and facilitate the ability of isolated and quarantined individuals to
communicate with the outside world, and in particular to exchange confidential
communications with legal and medical advisors of their choice.
(2) Appeal From Isolation or Quarantine Orders Issued By a County Board of Health.
(a) Individuals or groups subject to an
administrative order issued under the authority of a county board of health may
seek review of the order in accordance with O.C.G.A. §
31-5-3(a)
by written request to the Department of Public Health, Office of General
Counsel, with a copy to the person who signed the order on behalf of the county
board of health.
(b) Upon receiving
notice of the appeal, the person who signed the isolation or quarantine order
shall immediately provide the Office of General Counsel and the subject of the
appeal with a copy of all documents pertaining to the decision to issue the
order and the grounds therefore. This may be done by electronic
means.
(c) The hearing of an appeal
from an order of a county board of health shall be conducted by a person
designated by the Office of General Counsel. The Department shall make best
efforts to expedite a hearing and decision on the appeal, including but not
limited to the use of telephonic hearings.
(d) A request for a hearing shall not stay an
isolation or quarantine order.
(e)
This subsection (2) shall not apply to vaccination or quarantine orders issued
during a public health emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to Code
Section
38-3-51(a).
The appeal procedures specified in Code Section
38-3-51(i)
shall apply to such orders.
(3) Control of Isolation and Quarantine Premises.
(a) The Commissioner or
District Health Director may authorize physicians, health care workers, or
others access to individuals in isolation or quarantine as necessary to meet
the needs of isolated or quarantined individuals.
(b) No person shall enter isolation or
quarantine premises unless authorized to do so by the Commissioner or by a
District Health Director.
(c) Any
person entering isolation or quarantine premises may be required to wear
personal protective equipment or receive vaccination or any other preventative
care as appropriate.
(d) Any person
entering isolation or quarantine premises, with or without authorization, may
be subject to an order of quarantine as deemed medically necessary.
O.C.G.A. §§ 31-2A-4, 31-12-2.1, 31-5-8, 31-12-3, 31-12-4, 38-3-51.
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