COVID-19: Nagaland H&FW dept cautions against revealing patient's identity

Nagaland

Nagaland

 

Kohima, April 1 (MExN): State Authorities in Nagaland have warned of penal action against those who reveal the identity of patients testing positive for coronavirus on social media platforms. 

 


Taking cognisance of incidences where the identity of people affected by the disease or suspected to be a positive case are exposed and circulated in social media, Principal Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland, on Wednesday said that such actions could lead to stigmatization and mental trauma.

 


As such, it notified that “anyone who exposes the identity of COVID-19 affected people through sharing of bio-data or photo in various print and electronic media, shall be penalized under Section 188 of Indian Penal Code 1860 (45 of 1860).”

 


Further, it said that under the Nagaland Epidemic Disease (COVID-19) Regulations, 2020 “no individual/institution/organization will use any print or electronic media for information regarding COVID-19 without prior permission” from recognized authority.