A state of emergency is a government declaration that the normal operations of political and social life are suspended in a given jurisdiction for safety and protection of citizens. It can be declared before, during or after a natural disaster, civil unrest, armed conflict, medical pandemic or epidemic or other biosecurity risk. It empowers the government to impose regulations which would not otherwise be permitted and can include derogations from human rights protected under international law.
In the United Kingdom, only the monarch on the advice of the Privy Council or a Minister of the Crown acting in exceptional circumstances can invoke a state of emergency under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 to introduce emergency regulations. Such regulations can last up to 30 days, but can be extended by Parliament.
In Victoria, the Premier can declare a state of emergency under the Public Safety Preservation Act 1958 to address threats to employment, safety or public order. This enables the Premier to immediately make any desired regulations to secure the public interest. These may continue for up to 30 days, but can be revoked by either House of Parliament within seven days.
In the United States, a state of emergency is generally triggered by a major natural or man-made disaster, a terrorist threat to national security or other significant disruption to daily life. A federal state of emergency is typically declared by the President. Local governments can also declare emergencies, often for the purpose of directing local resources to manage a crisis.