The Law and Economics of Governments’ Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

– Indervir Singh & V. Santhakumar

Governments all over the world may use or institute laws and other measures (like the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 in India) during pandemics like the COVID-19. These may provide special powers to governments to restrict social and economic activities and the freedom of individuals with the purpose of containing the spread of epidemics. It may be interesting to use the framework of the `law and economics’ to analyse the need for such restrictions and the conditions with which these may lead to efficient outcomes. This article is an attempt in that direction. It also uses that framework to assess the response of the Government of India towards the COVID-19.

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