A new Hong Kong law called the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance and its subsidiary legislation, the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation, went into effect yesterday.

The new law will bring Hong Kong's legislative basis for measures to prevent and control diseases up-to-date and in line with the requirements of the International Health Regulations (2005) of the World Health Organization. The ordinance and regulation provide for robust routine disease prevention measures and establish effective disease surveillance and control systems. They also provide for a holistic plan of measures with respect to Hong Kong residents, travelers, goods and cross-boundary conveyances for preventing local and cross-boundary spread of diseases.

With the commencement of the ordinance and regulation, the existing Quarantine and Prevention of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 141) and most of its subsidiary legislation will be repealed.