Rule 511-9-1-.04 - Powers of the County Boards of Health to Implement Public Health Control Measures(1) Upon report of a communicable disease dangerous to the public health, or upon discovery that an individual or group of individuals may be infected with or may have been exposed to a communicable disease, the District Health Directors may, in their capacity as chief executive officers of the County Boards of Health, exercise the authorities and powers set forth in Titles 31 of the Georgia Code, including social distancing, as determined necessary to control the spread of disease.(2) In order to control the spread of a communicable disease that may pose a threat to the public health, the District Health Directors may: (a) Isolate suspected infected persons with communicable diseases or conditions likely to endanger the health of others until they are found free of the infectious agent or disease;(b) Require persons to be vaccinated or immunized, examined, and treated; 1. Except as provided in subsection (2) below, an individual shall be exempt from vaccination or immunization if the person, or the parent or legal guardian in the case of a minor, furnishes an affidavit that complies with DPH Rule 511-2-2-.07.2. The District Health Directors may require vaccination or immunization of those who' object on the grounds of religious beliefs if it is determined that an epidemic or the threat of an epidemic exists.(c) The District Health Directors are hereby delegated the authority to issue quarantine orders on behalf of the Department within their respective Public Health Districts, and to take all actions associated with that authority in accordance with the Georgia Code and these rules and regulations; provided, however, that the District Health Directors shall consult with the Commissioner before issuing an order for quarantine. The District Health Directors may enlist the aid of any county health department personnel under their supervision to enforce an order of quarantine.(d) The District Health Directors are hereby delegated the authority to close, evacuate, or decontaminate, as appropriate, any facility when there is reasonable belief that such facility may endanger the public health, and to enlist the aid of any county health department personnel under their supervision; provided, however, that the District Health Directors shall consult with the Commissioner before issuing an order to close, evacuate, or decontaminate a facility.(e) The District Health Directors may implement any control measure through the issuance of an administrative order.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 511-9-1-.04
O.C.G.A. §§ 31-2A-4, 31-3-4, 31-12-2.1, 31-12-3, 31-12-4, 38-3-51.
Original Rule entitled "Powers of the County Boards of Health to Implement Public Health Control Measures" adopted. F. Feb. 2, 2016; eff. Feb. 22, 2016.