A state of emergency is a situation that empowers the government to put through policies it would not otherwise be permitted to, for the safety and protection of its citizens. The situation can be caused by a natural disaster, civil unrest, armed conflict, or medical pandemic or epidemic, although this is not necessarily required to trigger the declaration.
The circumstances of the state of emergency are usually documented in a state emergency management plan. The plan includes a detailed response to the threat and lists available resources to deal with it. It also describes how those resources are to be distributed and used, including who can make decisions about resource distribution. The plan may also contain details about the authority of local governments to impose restrictions and requirements on businesses.
In most states, governors have the power to declare emergencies. They can do so for a specific period, such as 30 days, and they may need legislative approval to extend it. They may also need to approve a state of emergency when it is initiated by other executive officers like state health officers or local law enforcement agencies.
State of emergencies are often used when public health discovers sudden and alarming increases in morbidity or mortality. The increase can be too large for day-to-day legal authorities to manage, or there is a need for additional funds or supplies not available through the normal channels. The state of emergency provides a means to respond quickly to a crisis without having to consult legislators and with little risk of the government being criticized for violating rights.