Legal responses and challenges

In this chapter, we assess the resilience of some of the legal principles and regulatory frameworks that have underpinned the South African COVID-19 response. In particular, we ask whether the rule of law, human rights and the legal system's structuring of power and accountability managed to prevail during the shock presented by COVID-19. At the same time, we consider whether the experience of governing through the pandemic has shown up fault-lines in the conception or implementation of existing legal and regulatory frameworks that may usefully be adapted to enhance their resilience.