Many feel – and I share the view – that the pestilential challenge of Covid-19 might justify the limitation of civil liberties in the short term. South Africa has instituted a virtual no-movement lockdown for at least 21 days under the “State of Disaster Regulations”. In France, the Covid-19 legislation bans any meetings or indoor gatherings of more than 500 people. In Kenya, under the Public Health Act, the Cabinet Secretary in charge of health services has fairly wide powers with regard to containing infectious diseases. The Public Health Act of Kenya, being the law that is being applied on the frontline of containing the Covid-19 pandemic, was first enacted in 1921.

Source: Daily Nation March 29, 2020 00:00 UTC