The pestilence has wreaked havoc on all spheres of our lives — public health, social, economic and political stability of nations. Times like these rouse a nation to assess its legal and regulatory architecture and the extent to which it facilitates or impedes effective management of the existential public health emergency. Our legal framework is substantially weak and awfully lacking in precision; an obvious hindrance to combating the pandemic. PUBLIC HEALTH ACTParliament must modernise our antiquated Public Health Act, which, astonishingly, refers to non-existent authorities. In addition to powers to declare a state of emergency, the Public Health Act should allow the President, upon advice by the Health CS, to declare a public health emergency.

Source: Daily Nation July 20, 2020 20:45 UTC