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Lebanon to Go Under Full Lockdown Starting Saturday - Caretaker PM

Lebanon to Go Under Full Lockdown Starting Saturday - Caretaker PM
folder_openLebanon access_time3 years ago
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By Staff, Agencies

Lebanese Caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab announced Tuesday that Lebanon would be going under a full lockdown between November 14 and November 30 in a bid to contain the dangerous spread of coronavirus.

“If the Lebanese people abide by the measures, and we succeed in containing the virus by registering low numbers, then we will have saved the people,” he said in a statement.

Diab acknowledged the economic challenges posed by the lockdown, but held people responsible for the unprecedented number of cases for failing to comply with safety measures imposed by the government months ago.

“If the Lebanese people do not comply [with the measures], and if the number of infections continue to remain high, we will be compelled to extend the lockdown for an additional period,” he warned.

Diab also said he has asked the Health Ministry to help hospitals raise their level of readiness during the lockdown to be able to face the virus more efficiently.

In addition to that, the caretaker prime minister also asked security forces to strictly enforce the closure in all regions across Lebanon.

The decision does not include a closure of the airport, sea port or land borders.

"There is a firm decision to confront this pandemic and bring it back under control," Diab said.

The decision came after the Higher Defense Council met at the Baabda Presidential Palace to discuss measures recommended by the ministerial committee to combat coronavirus.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun in the beginning of the session said that the lockdown will exclude industrial sectors and healthcare institutions.

“There is a need to take measures to help contain it [the virus] and mitigate its repercussions,” Aoun said, adding that the decision will enable overwhelmed hospitals to treat coronavirus patients.

Lebanon has seen an unprecedented surge in virus cases over the last month, with daily cases well over the 1,000 mark, putting already worn out hospitals and medical staff under immense pressure, as they run out of capacity.

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