Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Health Act 1958 - SECT 119

Interpretation

119. Interpretation

The following principles apply for the purposes of the application, operation
and interpretation of this Part-

   (a)  the spread of infectious diseases should be prevented or limited
        without imposing unnecessary restrictions on personal liberty and
        privacy;

   (b)  a person at risk of contracting or being infected with an infectious
        disease must take all reasonable precautions to avoid contracting or
        being infected with the disease;

   (c)  a person who suspects that he or she has an infectious disease must
        ascertain-

   (i)  whether he or she is infected; and

   (ii) what precautions should be taken to prevent others being infected;

   (d)  a person with an infectious disease must take necessary measures to
        ensure that others are not unknowingly placed at risk of becoming
        infected;

   (e)  a person with an infectious disease or at risk of contracting or being
        infected with an infectious disease has a right-

   (i)  to be protected from unlawful discrimination; and

   (ii) to have his or her privacy respected; and

   (iii) to receive information about the medical and social consequences of
        the disease and any proposed treatment; and

   (iv) to have access to available and appropriate treatment- so long as
        those rights do not infringe on the well-being of others.

Division 2-Offences