Where a resident magistrate is satisfied, on the application of a Health and Social Services Board, that serious risk of infection would be caused to persons if an in-patient of a hospital who is suffering from a notifiable disease were to leave the hospital, the magistrate may order the in-patient to be detained in the hospital.

An order under subsection (1) may direct detention for a period specified in the order, but any resident magistrate may extend a period so specified as often as it appears to him to be necessary to do so.

Any person who leaves a hospital contrary to an order made under this section for his detention there shall be guilty of an offence under this Part and the court may order him to be taken back to hospital.

An order under this section may be addressed to an authorised officer and that officer and any other authorised officer may do all acts necessary for giving effect to the order.