Lebanon: 111 towns and villages cordoned off in an attempt to curb the Covid-19

A traveler is tested for Covid-19 at Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, July 1, 2020. Bilal Hussein / AP Photo

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3 min

In an attempt to slow the progression of the coronavirus epidemic, the Lebanese authorities have adopted localized closure.

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With our correspondent in Beirut,

From Sunday October 4, and until Monday October 12, 111 towns and villages located in different Lebanese regions will be completely cordoned off.

The inhabitants are called to stay in their homes, and no one is allowed to enter these localities.

Social gatherings will be banned and businesses will be closed, with the exception of those in the health sector and bakeries.

Food products will be supplied by home delivery.

► To read also: Explosion in Lebanon: a trauma that goes far beyond the human toll

With 1,300 contaminations and 12 deaths recorded in 24 hours, the new coronavirus continues to progress in Lebanon.

There are now 45,000 infected people and 398 dead in the country, for a population of 5 million.

The hospital sector, already very affected by the economic crisis and by the double explosion of August 4, is showing signs of collapse.

Authorities rely on citizens and their sense of responsibility

The objective of these extreme measures is to slow the progression of the virus on a national scale, by isolating the foci of contamination for a week.

This approach is however the target of many criticisms.

Experts doubt the relevance of places dedicated to containment, while the main sources of contamination, such as Beirut or Tripoli, in North Lebanon, are not concerned.

In addition, the State does not provide itself with the means to succeed in this plan, the implementation of which is entrusted to the local authorities.

The roads leading to the targeted localities will remain open and passable.

The authorities therefore rely on the sense of responsibility and cooperation of citizens.

But the Lebanese have not shown any discipline for months in the fight against the progression of the disease.

And the inhabitants of most of the localities concerned have rejected the extreme measures, which they consider severe and unjustified.

► To read also: Lebanon, a country on its knees 

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• Lebanon

• Health and medicine

• Coronavirus

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