Open AccessIsolation and quarantine in South Africa during COVID-19: Draconian measures or proportional response?
Author(s) -
Keymanthri Moodley,
Adetayo Emmanuel Obasa,
Leslie London
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
samj. south african medical journal/south african medical journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.527
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 2078-5135
pISSN - 0256-9574
DOI - 10.7196/samj.2020v110i6.14842
Subject(s) - human rights , legislation , civil liberties , isolation (microbiology) , law , medicine , legitimacy , quarantine , public health , political science , politics , microbiology and biotechnology , nursing , pathology , biology
In the midst of an unprecedented public health crisis, extraordinary containment measures must be implemented. These include both isolation and quarantine, either on a voluntary basis or enforced. In the transition from voluntary to mandatory isolation, conflicts arise at the intersection of ethics, human rights and the law. The Siracusa Principles adopted by the United Nations Economic and Social Council in 1985 and enshrined in international human rights legislation and guidelines specify conditions under which civil liberties may be infringed. In order for isolation processes in South Africa to claim legitimacy, it is important that these principles as well as national laws and constitutional rights are embedded in state action.