ABSTRACT
The primary objectives of this paper is to present a notion in favour of the need for a legal framework with two important prepositions. Firstly, that unprecedented Global Pandemic can’t be measured by the conventional sophistication that goes in the socio-economic system of sovereign nation and secondly the roots of a pandemic expansion & impact cannot be reduced if international disparity exists in the process. The present COVID-19 is not the first, the world witnessed pandemics in past, nations had to deal with them within their own territorial arrangements, without any global legal framework. A global pandemic effects the public health, economy and society of the infected nations without any discrimination however, disparity exists in approach taken to deal with such crises by the nations in lack of international agreements. WHO created, among others, the International Sanitary Regulations-1969 and International Health Regulations-1969 (updated in 2005). However, these or any other legal standings have almost nothing about a pandemic’s impact on economy or sharing international responsibility in reducing such economic vulnerability. The novel coronavirus has infected more the 200 counties, the mortality rate is soaring globally placing an huge challenge on existing health care facilities, it has disrupted the global economy, inter and intra-country supply chain is distorted causing stocks to crashed, trades to shrink. People (inland and migrant) around the globe are losing their lost jobs and the world stands at point blank to face, what might be, the worst recession. Infected countries are trying to manage this ugly situation by offering stimulus packages but there exists a glaring disparity. A national policy in not enough to tackle a global pandemic, what the world needs is a uniform global policy, a legal framework. A legal framework that will provide international agreement to prevent, regulate, control, monitor and reduce impacts of global pandemic on human health and economy. The legal framework may framed following the footsteps of other international conventions (e.g. Basel Convention) along with supportive national legislations. The COVID-19 pandemic is presently raging throughout the world creating multidimensional crisis for the society at large, thus it is high time for the international community to come forward to reach an agreement. The same will be structured to: reduce the virus at source and prevent cross boarder spreading; promote & ensure sound health management facilities to face the challenge of pandemic; advocate for workers to obtain subsistence benefit during the crisis period and re-employment in new normal time; make countries diligent to oblige with aid/investment financing; create pressure on importer/exporter, buyer/seller to forgo force majeure during such times and most importantly ensure research & development. Concerned activists groups/agencies should come forward and take initiative to influence the global leaders by raising their voice for such a legal framework.
