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A 24-hour curfew went into effect in Lebanon at midnight and will run until January 25, BTA reported. By closing the country for 11 days, authorities hope to halt the sharp rise in coronavirus infections after the Christmas season, which has led to the depletion of hospital beds.
In the last seven days, the daily average of infected in the country with a population of 6 million reached a record of 5440. Yesterday, almost 18 percent of the virus tests were positive. Starting today, by decision of the Supreme Council of Defense of the Republic, all state institutions and private companies will be closed, cinemas, libraries, museums, restaurants, stadiums and casinos will be closed. Schools and universities are fully moving towards distance education.
Walks in the municipal parks and along the coastal boulevards are prohibited. Going outside is allowed only as a last resort, and only after obtaining permission, for 1 hour to go to get bread, to the doctor, to the pharmacy, to the hospital or to the airport. Supermarkets are closing for the first time. They and the restaurants will deliver products to the population upon request. Even before the outbreak of the coronavirus epidemic, Lebanon was experiencing an unprecedented economic and financial crisis, which further complicated the situation with the shutdown. The national currency collapsed, as did the banking sector, and citizen deposits were blocked.
Hospitals, long considered the best in the Middle East, are struggling to pay their staff, maintain medical equipment and acquire necessary supplies and materials due to lack of money. At least three hospitals in the capital were destroyed in a powerful explosion in the port of Beirut on August 4 last year. The others are now overcrowded and refuse to accept coronavirus patients. They lack oxygen and breathing apparatus. The country also has no government due to the crisis and is run by an interim administration. Yesterday it was reported that he fell ill with COVID-19 and id. Health Minister Hamad Hassan after three of his aides were infected. He was admitted to the hospital and is reported to be in stable condition.
Lebanon
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