A state of emergency is a government declaration that significantly increases powers for a country’s executive branch, reducing checks and balances. The state of emergency typically gives the government more freedom to commandeer resources like labor, equipment, and vehicles. A state of emergency is used by governments to deal with situations that are a significant risk to public safety or the environment.
While there are many situations that can be deemed a state of emergency, the most common reason is to deal with natural disasters. A state of emergency declaration allows the government to mobilize extra resources for recovery efforts. It is also a time where the state can restrict certain activities for the protection of the general public.
State of emergencies may not affect your everyday life, but you should pay attention to the news and watch for updates. It is important to know your rights as they apply during a state of emergency, since every situation is different and can have its own implications.
States of emergencies are usually declared by the national government, though some are declared by individual governors as well. In the United States, President Donald Trump has repeatedly invoked a state of emergency to implement immigration and border security policies.
Some countries use a state of emergency to suppress internal opposition or to circumvent constitutional or legal safeguards against abuses. Egypt, for instance, has been under a near-perpetual state of emergency since 1967 despite constitutional reforms intended to limit the duration of the state of emergency.