Lebanon further relaxes COVID-19 lockdown as cases surge
Lebanon Tuesday confirmed 498 new coronavirus cases and seven deaths, as the Interior Ministry announced an almost total reopening of the country despite the continued surge of infections.
Of the new cases 494 were found among the local population and four from travelers arriving from abroad, raising the total number of registered cases so far to 21,324.
There have now been a total of 207 deaths in Lebanon due to coronavirus complications since the virus was first detected in the country in late February.
Cases were detected among 11,096 PCR tests administered in the last 24 hours, bringing the positivity rate to 6.3 percent, the Health Ministry reported.
Monday marked the final day of what was meant to be a stringent two-week lockdown, which was later relaxed following pressure from individuals and businesses struggling as a result of the worst economic crisis the country has seen since the Civil War.
Caretaker Interior Minister Mohamed Fahmi further relaxed coronavirus precautions Tuesday, announcing a reduction of curfew hours now starting at 1 a.m. until 6 p.m.
For the first time since a coronavirus lockdown was implemented in March, cinemas will be allowed to reopen. Bars, nightclubs, social event halls, markets and Casino du Liban will also be permitted to reopen.
On Aug. 26, Lebanon’s Higher Defense Council extended general mobilization regulations until the end of the year, following an alarming spike in COVID-19 cases over the last two months.
It was ninth extension since coronavirus was first detected in August, giving authorities the legal powers necessary to implement strict measures designed to contain the virus.
Lebanon’s coronavirus cases saw an alarming surge in August and consequently higher positivity rates, coinciding with the catastrophic Beirut Port explosion that has left at least 300,000 people homeless. Thousands of injuries from the blast further overwhelmed the already-strained health care system.
There have now been a total of 207 deaths in Lebanon due to coronavirus complications since the virus was first detected in the country in late February.
Cases were detected among 11,096 PCR tests administered in the last 24 hours, bringing the positivity rate to 6.3 percent, the Health Ministry reported.
Monday marked the final day of what was meant to be a stringent two-week lockdown, which was later relaxed following pressure from individuals and businesses struggling as a result of the worst economic crisis the country has seen since the Civil War.
Caretaker Interior Minister Mohamed Fahmi further relaxed coronavirus precautions Tuesday, announcing a reduction of curfew hours now starting at 1 a.m. until 6 p.m.
For the first time since a coronavirus lockdown was implemented in March, cinemas will be allowed to reopen. Bars, nightclubs, social event halls, markets and Casino du Liban will also be permitted to reopen.
On Aug. 26, Lebanon’s Higher Defense Council extended general mobilization regulations until the end of the year, following an alarming spike in COVID-19 cases over the last two months.
It was ninth extension since coronavirus was first detected in August, giving authorities the legal powers necessary to implement strict measures designed to contain the virus.
Lebanon’s coronavirus cases saw an alarming surge in August and consequently higher positivity rates, coinciding with the catastrophic Beirut Port explosion that has left at least 300,000 people homeless. Thousands of injuries from the blast further overwhelmed the already-strained health care system.
