Individual Civil Liberty
Can governments limit or restrict an individual’s civil liberties and civil rights in the name of other priorities such as public health emergencies or national security. For example, when a highly contagious disease is life-threatening, the government may decide to restrict a person’s freedom of movement in order to ensure general welfare of the public. However, does this mean that a government can restrict complete movement or enforce isolation in order to prevent the spread of a disease or is there a need for balance to also protect individual freedoms in the process? Does the government have an obligation to provide medical treatment to a person during an epidemic/pandemic? Would voluntary isolation in the persons residence be a better choice in this situation?
