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Minister calls for 2-week lockdown as virus cases surge
Caretaker Health Minister Hamad Hasan Monday called for a two-week lockdown as the country witnessed a huge spike in coronavirus cases in the wake of the Beirut Port blast.
“We need a brave decision to close [the country] for two weeks,” Hasan said in comments made to the Voice of Lebanon radio station, declaring the country in a state of “general alert.”
He explained that the upcoming lockdown would be carried out in three parts: the airport, the city of Beirut, and other areas.
“The increase in numbers was justified when we opened up the country in the beginning of July,” Hasan said, adding that the blast greatly affected the numbers which are beginning to appear now.
He warned that Lebanon is before a real challenge when it comes to coronavirus, as the country registered “shocking” numbers last week.