4-day curfew announced in Lebanon from Thursday

Lebanese authorities have announced a four-day nationwide curfew from Thursday (May 14) in a bid to contain a second wave of COVID-19 cases.

The Lebanese government announced on Tuesday (May 12) that a "full closure" will be imposed nationwide to contain a second upsurge of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country.

The four-day lockdown will come into effect from Thursday (May 14) night.

Authorities have reported that a new wave of COVID-19 cases has been reported in recent days as a result of the relaxation of certain lockdown measures, and the country has reached the highest rates of infection in over a month.

Health Minister Hamad Hassan declared on Sunday (May 10), that authorities could impose a nationwide 48-hour lockdown to allow health authorities "to conduct a field survey in the areas where cases were found."

The Lebanese government announced on Sunday (May 10) that the night curfew that was imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be extended. The curfew will also be starting two hours earlier than previously, coming into effect between 19:00 and 05:00 daily. While the authorities have prolonged curfew hours, a time-frame for when the restriction may be lifted has not been reported. Authorities have also suspended most court sessions until Sunday (May 24) as lawyers and judges are due to be tested for COVID-19.

On Friday (May 8), the Lebanese Minister of Education, Tarek Al-Majzoub, stated that schools will reopen from Thursday (May 28). The new academic year will end in July, with health measures in place to safeguard the welfare of pupils. This announcement coincides with the reopening of Lebanese mosques for Friday prayers, as well as churches for Sunday mass as of May 8. The reopening of places of worship is contingent on the number of worshipers not exceeding 30 percent of the capacity of the mosque or church.

This announcement comes after Lebanese authorities extended existing lockdown measures on Tuesday (May 5). Additional measures were also imposed, including a nationwide travel ban. Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) remains closed, along with all ports and land borders.

As of May 12, authorities have confirmed 870 cases of COVID-19 in the country and 26 associated deaths. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected over the near term.

So far, four Bangladeshi nationals have been found to be infected with coronavirus in Lebanon but their latest updates could not be ascertained.

 

Lebanon/Jasim/AI