Referring a physician to work against the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Since ancient times, services dealing with the prevention and combating of infectious diseases have been organised. In contemporary Polish law, this issue has been raised to constitutional rank. The state authorities were obliged to take antidepidemic actions. In this respect, they were equipped with powers to direct necessary personnel, mainly medical personnel, to work on combating the epidemic. This issue has recently become very topical in connection with the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, which has prompted administrative bodies to make frequent use of this instrument. As a result, many doctors have been referred to work in the fight against the pandemic. The article presents the legal basis for such referral and the procedures applied in this respect. It shows the circle of entities that may be involved in such work and their powers. The principles of remuneration of such persons, the possibility of obtaining reimbursement of travel and accommodation costs, as well as special protection due to a public officer are discussed. At the end, the sanctions that may be applied to a person who evades the performance of the work to which he or she has been directed, i.e. sanctions provided for a misdemeanour and fines imposed in an administrative procedure, are presented.