The article examines individual issues of state security through the prism of the effectiveness of public administration in the conditions of the spread of a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Russia in 2020. The article analyzes the norms of Federal laws, according to which it is necessary to take measures to pro-tect the population from natural and man-made emergencies, including the spread of diseases that pose a danger to others. The decisions of the chief state sanitary doctors of the Russian Federation and the subjects of Russia that restrict the rights and freedoms of a person and citizen without having legal grounds for this are subjected to critical reflection. The article formulates conclusions that should help to improve the efficiency of public administration, which, in turn, will not reduce the level of personal protection, that is, to maintain national security at the proper level.