The decision is valid from today for a week

Lebanon completely closes 169 villages and towns to confront Coronavirus

An employee sprays disinfectant before examining a domestic worker in Beirut.

Reuters

Yesterday, the Lebanese Ministry of Interior announced the imposition of isolation and complete closure measures on 169 villages and towns, including dozens that were previously closed for eight days, to counter the spread of the new Corona virus (Covid-19), with record rates recorded during the past weeks.

The Lebanese authorities also decided to close bars, cabarets and nightclubs throughout the country "until further notice", with the failure to impose a general closure in the country that is facing its worst economic crises.

As of yesterday evening, the count of Coronavirus infections in Lebanon recorded 52,558, including 455 deaths.

On the fourth of this month, the Lebanese authorities imposed a complete closure of 111 villages and towns for eight days, and with the increase in the number of injuries, the Ministry of Interior announced the complete closure of 169 villages and towns, including about 80 areas where the closure was extended, and these areas will be completely closed as of This morning for a week.

Residents of the towns and villages covered by the decision must stay at home, with the suspension of work in public and private institutions, and the cancellation of social and religious events, with the exception of health institutions, pharmacies, bakeries and food stores.

The authorities are supposed to decide, after a week, regarding the areas in which the isolation restrictions can be lifted or extended, or even added to complete closure, depending on the number of injuries in them.

The Minister of Health in the caretaker government, Hamad Hassan, warned that Lebanon is approaching the European scenario, and considered that "success in the bold decision to close a number of towns is the last chance."

The authorities fear that the large increase in the number of injuries may confuse the already fragile health sector in the country, especially due to the pressure that the Beirut explosion, on the fourth of last August, put on the capital's largest hospitals, with the presence of a large number of victims and the exit of three hospitals from service.

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