{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/32.1-48.06.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/32.1-48.06.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/32.1-48.06.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/32.1-48.06.html"}],"law_id":70676,"edition_id":1,"section_id":70676,"structure_id":14328,"section_number":"32.1-48.06","catch_line":"Definitions","history":"2004, cc. 773, 1021; 2007, cc. 699, 783.","full_text":"As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Affected area” means any part or the whole of the Commonwealth, which has been identified as where persons reside, or may be located, who are known to have been exposed to or infected with or who are reasonably suspected to have been exposed to or infected with a communicable disease of public health threat. “Affected area” shall include, but not be limited to, cities, counties, towns, and subsections of such areas, public and private property, buildings, and other structures.\n\t\t“Communicable disease of public health threat” means an illness of public health significance, as determined by the State Health Commissioner in accordance with regulations of the Board of Health, caused by a specific or suspected infectious agent that may be reasonably expected or is known to be readily transmitted directly or indirectly from one individual to another and has been found to create a risk of death or significant injury or impairment; this definition shall not, however, be construed to include human immunodeficiency viruses or tuberculosis, unless used as a bioterrorism weapon. “Individual” shall include any companion animal. Further, whenever “person or persons” is used herein it shall be deemed, when the context requires it, to include any individual.\n\t\t“Companion animal” means, consistent with the provisions of \u00a7 3.2-6500, any domestic or feral dog, domestic or feral cat, nonhuman primate, guinea pig, hamster, rabbit not raised for human food or fiber, exotic or native animal, reptile, exotic or native bird, or any feral animal or any animal under the care, custody, or ownership of a person or any animal that is bought, sold, traded, or bartered by any person. Agricultural animals, game species, or any animals regulated under federal law as research animals shall not be considered companion animals for the purposes of this article.\n\t\t“Isolation” means the physical separation, including confinement or restriction of movement, of an individual or individuals who are infected with or are reasonably suspected to be infected with a communicable disease of public health threat in order to prevent or limit the transmission of the communicable disease of public health threat to other uninfected and unexposed individuals.\n\t\t“Law-enforcement agency” means any sheriff’s office, police department, adult or youth correctional officer, or other agency or department that employs persons who have law-enforcement authority that is under the direction and control of the Commonwealth or any local governing body. “Law-enforcement agency” shall include, by order of the Governor, the Virginia National Guard.\n\t\t“Quarantine” means the physical separation, including confinement or restriction of movement, of an individual or individuals who are present within an affected area, as defined herein, or who are known to have been exposed or may reasonably be suspected to have been exposed to a communicable disease of public health threat and who do not yet show signs or symptoms of infection with the communicable disease of public health threat in order to prevent or limit the transmission of the communicable disease of public health threat to other unexposed and uninfected individuals.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":254948,"text":"As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Affected area” means any part or the whole of the Commonwealth, which has been identified as where persons reside, or may be located, who are known to have been exposed to or infected with or who are reasonably suspected to have been exposed to or infected with a communicable disease of public health threat. “Affected area” shall include, but not be limited to, cities, counties, towns, and subsections of such areas, public and private property, buildings, and other structures.\n\t\t“Communicable disease of public health threat” means an illness of public health significance, as determined by the State Health Commissioner in accordance with regulations of the Board of Health, caused by a specific or suspected infectious agent that may be reasonably expected or is known to be readily transmitted directly or indirectly from one individual to another and has been found to create a risk of death or significant injury or impairment; this definition shall not, however, be construed to include human immunodeficiency viruses or tuberculosis, unless used as a bioterrorism weapon. “Individual” shall include any companion animal. Further, whenever “person or persons” is used herein it shall be deemed, when the context requires it, to include any individual.\n\t\t“Companion animal” means, consistent with the provisions of \u00a7 3.2-6500, any domestic or feral dog, domestic or feral cat, nonhuman primate, guinea pig, hamster, rabbit not raised for human food or fiber, exotic or native animal, reptile, exotic or native bird, or any feral animal or any animal under the care, custody, or ownership of a person or any animal that is bought, sold, traded, or bartered by any person. Agricultural animals, game species, or any animals regulated under federal law as research animals shall not be considered companion animals for the purposes of this article.\n\t\t“Isolation” means the physical separation, including confinement or restriction of movement, of an individual or individuals who are infected with or are reasonably suspected to be infected with a communicable disease of public health threat in order to prevent or limit the transmission of the communicable disease of public health threat to other uninfected and unexposed individuals.\n\t\t“Law-enforcement agency” means any sheriff’s office, police department, adult or youth correctional officer, or other agency or department that employs persons who have law-enforcement authority that is under the direction and control of the Commonwealth or any local governing body. “Law-enforcement agency” shall include, by order of the Governor, the Virginia National Guard.\n\t\t“Quarantine” means the physical separation, including confinement or restriction of movement, of an individual or individuals who are present within an affected area, as defined herein, or who are known to have been exposed or may reasonably be suspected to have been exposed to a communicable disease of public health threat and who do not yet show signs or symptoms of infection with the communicable disease of public health threat in order to prevent or limit the transmission of the communicable disease of public health threat to other unexposed and uninfected individuals.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":14328,"edition_id":1,"name":"Quarantine and Isolation of Persons With Communicable Diseases of Public Health Threat","identifier":"3.02","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13607,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:46","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:46","permalink":{"id":202047,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14328,"identifier":"3.02","token":"32.1\/2\/3.02","url":"\/32.1\/2\/3.02\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13607,"edition_id":1,"name":"Disease Prevention and Control","identifier":"2","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12727,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:22","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:22","permalink":{"id":201743,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13607,"identifier":"2","token":"32.1\/2","url":"\/32.1\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12727,"edition_id":1,"name":"Health","identifier":"32.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":201099,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12727,"identifier":"32.1","token":"32.1","url":"\/32.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":62413,"structure_id":14328,"section_number":"32.1-48.010","catch_line":"Appeal of any order of quarantine","url":"\/32.1-48.010\/","token":"32.1\/2\/3.02\/32.1-48.010","metadata":false},{"id":56897,"structure_id":14328,"section_number":"32.1-48.011","catch_line":"Isolation may be ordered under certain exceptional circumstances; Commissioner authorized to require hospitalization or other health care","url":"\/32.1-48.011\/","token":"32.1\/2\/3.02\/32.1-48.011","metadata":false},{"id":68450,"structure_id":14328,"section_number":"32.1-48.012","catch_line":"Isolation order","url":"\/32.1-48.012\/","token":"32.1\/2\/3.02\/32.1-48.012","metadata":false},{"id":80635,"structure_id":14328,"section_number":"32.1-48.013","catch_line":"Appeal of any order of isolation","url":"\/32.1-48.013\/","token":"32.1\/2\/3.02\/32.1-48.013","metadata":false},{"id":80302,"structure_id":14328,"section_number":"32.1-48.013:1","catch_line":"Electronic filings as protection from communicable disease","url":"\/32.1-48.013_1\/","token":"32.1\/2\/3.02\/32.1-48.013_1","metadata":false},{"id":63430,"structure_id":14328,"section_number":"32.1-48.014","catch_line":"Enforcement of orders of quarantine or isolation; penalties","url":"\/32.1-48.014\/","token":"32.1\/2\/3.02\/32.1-48.014","metadata":false},{"id":79587,"structure_id":14328,"section_number":"32.1-48.015","catch_line":"Authorization to disclose health records","url":"\/32.1-48.015\/","token":"32.1\/2\/3.02\/32.1-48.015","metadata":false},{"id":55627,"structure_id":14328,"section_number":"32.1-48.016","catch_line":"Immunity from liability","url":"\/32.1-48.016\/","token":"32.1\/2\/3.02\/32.1-48.016","metadata":false},{"id":66225,"structure_id":14328,"section_number":"32.1-48.017","catch_line":"Use of public or private property or facilities","url":"\/32.1-48.017\/","token":"32.1\/2\/3.02\/32.1-48.017","metadata":false},{"id":72908,"structure_id":14328,"section_number":"32.1-48.05","catch_line":"Application of article; determination of exceptional circumstances; regulations; duties of the State Health Commissioner not be delegated","url":"\/32.1-48.05\/","token":"32.1\/2\/3.02\/32.1-48.05","metadata":false},{"id":70676,"structure_id":14328,"section_number":"32.1-48.06","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/32.1-48.06\/","token":"32.1\/2\/3.02\/32.1-48.06","metadata":false},{"id":79292,"structure_id":14328,"section_number":"32.1-48.07","catch_line":"Conditions for invoking the provisions of this article","url":"\/32.1-48.07\/","token":"32.1\/2\/3.02\/32.1-48.07","metadata":false},{"id":76345,"structure_id":14328,"section_number":"32.1-48.08","catch_line":"Declaration of quarantine","url":"\/32.1-48.08\/","token":"32.1\/2\/3.02\/32.1-48.08","metadata":false},{"id":73650,"structure_id":14328,"section_number":"32.1-48.09","catch_line":"Order of quarantine","url":"\/32.1-48.09\/","token":"32.1\/2\/3.02\/32.1-48.09","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":72908,"structure_id":14328,"section_number":"32.1-48.05","catch_line":"Application of article; determination of exceptional circumstances; regulations; duties of the State Health Commissioner not be delegated","url":"\/32.1-48.05\/","token":"32.1\/2\/3.02\/32.1-48.05","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":79292,"structure_id":14328,"section_number":"32.1-48.07","catch_line":"Conditions for invoking the provisions of this article","url":"\/32.1-48.07\/","token":"32.1\/2\/3.02\/32.1-48.07","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/32.1-48.06\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2004. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 773<\/a> and 1021<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2007, chapters 699<\/a> and 783<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":79619,"section_number":"24.2-509","catch_line":"Party to determine method of nominating its candidates for office; exceptions","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-509\/"},{"id":76345,"section_number":"32.1-48.08","catch_line":"Declaration of quarantine","order_by":null,"url":"\/32.1-48.08\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":86401,"section_number":"3.2-6500","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6500\/"}],"permalink":{"id":202089,"object_type":"law","relational_id":70676,"identifier":"32.1-48.06","token":"32.1\/2\/3.02\/32.1-48.06","url":"\/32.1-48.06\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/32.1-48.06\/","token":"32.1\/2\/3.02\/32.1-48.06","dublin_core":{"Title":"Definitions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 32.1-48.06","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Affected area<\/span>” means any part or the whole of the Commonwealth, which has been identified as where persons reside, or may be located, who are known to have been exposed to or infected with or who are reasonably suspected to have been exposed to or infected with a communicable disease of public health threat<\/span>. “Affected area<\/span>” shall include, but not be limited to, cities, counties, towns, and subsections of such areas, public and private property, buildings, and other structures.\n\t\t“Communicable disease of public health threat<\/span>” means an illness of public health significance, as determined by the State Health Commissioner<\/span> in accordance with regulations of the Board<\/span> of Health, caused by a specific or suspected infectious agent that may be reasonably expected or is known to be readily transmitted directly or indirectly from one individual<\/span> to another and has been found to create a risk of death or significant injury or impairment; this definition shall not, however, be construed to include human immunodeficiency viruses or tuberculosis, unless used as a bioterrorism weapon. “Individual<\/span>” shall include any companion animal. Further, whenever “person or persons<\/span>” is used herein it shall be deemed, when the context requires it, to include any individual<\/span>.\n\t\t“Companion animal” means, consistent with the provisions of \u00a7 3.2-6500<\/a>, any domestic or feral dog, domestic or feral cat, nonhuman primate, guinea pig, hamster, rabbit not raised for human food or fiber, exotic or native animal, reptile, exotic or native bird, or any feral animal or any animal under the care, custody<\/span>, or ownership of a person or any animal that is bought, sold, traded, or bartered by any person. Agricultural animals, game species, or any animals regulated under federal law<\/span> as research animals shall not be considered companion animals for the purposes of this article.\n\t\t“Isolation<\/span>” means the physical separation, including confinement or restriction of movement, of an individual<\/span> or individuals<\/span> who are infected with or are reasonably suspected to be infected with a communicable disease of public health threat<\/span> in order<\/span> to prevent or limit the transmission of the communicable disease of public health threat<\/span> to other uninfected and unexposed individuals<\/span>.\n\t\t“Law<\/span>-enforcement agency<\/span>” means any sheriff’s office, police department<\/span>, adult or youth correctional officer, or other agency or department<\/span> that employs persons who have law<\/span>-enforcement authority that is under the direction and control of the Commonwealth or any local governing body. “Law<\/span>-enforcement agency<\/span>” shall include, by order<\/span> of the Governor, the Virginia National Guard.\n\t\t“Quarantine<\/span>” means the physical separation, including confinement or restriction of movement, of an individual<\/span> or individuals<\/span> who are present within an affected area<\/span>, as defined herein, or who are known to have been exposed or may reasonably be suspected to have been exposed to a communicable disease of public health threat<\/span> and who do not yet show signs or symptoms of infection with the communicable disease of public health threat<\/span> in order<\/span> to prevent or limit the transmission of the communicable disease of public health threat<\/span> to other unexposed and uninfected individuals<\/span>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDEFINITIONS (\u00a7 32.1-48.06)\n\nAs used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Affected area” means any part or the whole of the Commonwealth,\nwhich has been identified as where persons reside, or may be located, who are\nknown to have been exposed to or infected with or who are reasonably suspected\nto have been exposed to or infected with a communicable disease of public health\nthreat. “Affected area” shall include, but not be limited to,\ncities, counties, towns, and subsections of such areas, public and private\nproperty, buildings, and other structures.\n\t\t“Communicable disease of public health threat” means an illness of\npublic health significance, as determined by the State Health Commissioner in\naccordance with regulations of the Board of Health, caused by a specific or\nsuspected infectious agent that may be reasonably expected or is known to be\nreadily transmitted directly or indirectly from one individual to another and\nhas been found to create a risk of death or significant injury or impairment;\nthis definition shall not, however, be construed to include human\nimmunodeficiency viruses or tuberculosis, unless used as a bioterrorism weapon.\n“Individual” shall include any companion animal. Further, whenever\n“person or persons” is used herein it shall be deemed, when the\ncontext requires it, to include any individual.\n\t\t“Companion animal” means, consistent with the provisions of \u00a7\n3.2-6500, any domestic or feral dog, domestic or feral cat, nonhuman primate,\nguinea pig, hamster, rabbit not raised for human food or fiber, exotic or native\nanimal, reptile, exotic or native bird, or any feral animal or any animal under\nthe care, custody, or ownership of a person or any animal that is bought, sold,\ntraded, or bartered by any person. Agricultural animals, game species, or any\nanimals regulated under federal law as research animals shall not be considered\ncompanion animals for the purposes of this article.\n\t\t“Isolation” means the physical separation, including confinement\nor restriction of movement, of an individual or individuals who are infected\nwith or are reasonably suspected to be infected with a communicable disease of\npublic health threat in order to prevent or limit the transmission of the\ncommunicable disease of public health threat to other uninfected and unexposed\nindividuals.\n\t\t“Law-enforcement agency” means any sheriff’s office, police\ndepartment, adult or youth correctional officer, or other agency or department\nthat employs persons who have law-enforcement authority that is under the\ndirection and control of the Commonwealth or any local governing body.\n“Law-enforcement agency” shall include, by order of the Governor,\nthe Virginia National Guard.\n\t\t“Quarantine” means the physical separation, including confinement\nor restriction of movement, of an individual or individuals who are present\nwithin an affected area, as defined herein, or who are known to have been\nexposed or may reasonably be suspected to have been exposed to a communicable\ndisease of public health threat and who do not yet show signs or symptoms of\ninfection with the communicable disease of public health threat in order to\nprevent or limit the transmission of the communicable disease of public health\nthreat to other unexposed and uninfected individuals.\n\nHISTORY: 2004, cc. 773, 1021; 2007, cc. 699, 783.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}