What is a 'state of emergency'?

The leaders of at least 70 countries have declared states of emergency to invoke extra powers to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The virus outbreak has now been confirmed in over 200 countries, has sickened more than a million people and killed more than 51,000 people globally.

Under the situation of a state of emergency, governments are empowered to enforce measures that would normally not be permitted, which might include the right to impose curfews, lock down cities and prevent mass gatherings.

Here is a breakdown of how different governments exercise their emergency power.

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