commission.18 This process attempts to include public participation, but the final decision rests with the Prime Minister. 4.2 Protecting sensitive personal data: COVID-19 The first case of corona virus was reported in China in December 2019 amid state denials. On 11 March 2020, the world woke up to news of declaration of a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO) following an earlier declaration of COVID-19 as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 30 January 2020. According to the African Judges and Jurists Forum (AJJF), SADC member States undertook several measures including the setup of border and in-country testing centres; social distancing and cancellation of gatherings; adoption of self-isolation and mandatory quarantines.19 Countries declared states of emergency or states of disaster. AJJF further reported that the declaration of national states of disasters were in Malawi, South Africa, and Zimbabwe; and states of emergencies were in Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Namibia; while declarations of Public Health Emergencies were in Botswana, and Madagascar.20 The COVID-19 disaster declaration limited individual rights to decide on medical testing, and bodily integrity.21 These emergency laws compelled compulsory testing 22, and authorised disclosure of COVID-19 status.23 Of course, informed consent before any medical or scientific experiments, extraction or use of bodily tissue is required.24 That said, consent remains a mystical, and is waived in public emergencies.25 Medical professionals while bound to keep confidentiality of medical records and details, they are compelled to disclose COVID-19 status to authorities.26 Unfortunately, as the pandemic necessitated, some countries like Zimbabwe resorted to deployment of non-medical personal to assist, with concerns of violation of patients Lesotho, LDPA section on Establishment of the Data Protection Commission. African Judges and Jurists Forum Addressing the Impact of COVID June on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Southern Africa A policy brief . AJJF Policy Brief . as protected under section c of the Constitution of Zimbabwe for instance. See Zimbabwe Section of the PHA COVID Prevention and Containment Regulations provides for compulsory testing if one is suspected of having COVID . South Africa, Zimbabwe Statutory Instrument of Public Health COVID Prevention and Containment Regulations. UN General Assembly, Special Rapporteur on the Right of Everyone to the Enjoyment of the Highest Attainable Standard of Physical and Mental Health, A/HRC/ / , Tschider . Washington University Law Review McQuoid Mason SAMJ . . PAGE