In locked-down Lebanon, many fear poverty more than virus

In locked-down Lebanon, many fear poverty more than virus

TRIPOLI, Lebanon “” Lebanon may be under a strict pandemic lockdown to stem raging coronavirus rates, but father-of-six Omar Qarhani is still working, desperate to support his family.

"I'm not scared of corona “” what scares me is being in need and poverty," the 38-year-old told AFP, selling vegetables on the side of a road in the northern port city of Tripoli.

Lebanon has imposed a round-the-clock curfew nationwide since January 14, barred non-essential workers from leaving their homes and restricted grocery shopping to deliveries.

The drastic measures came after daily COVID cases suddenly shot up following gatherings during the holiday season, overwhelming hospitals.

The country has recorded over 280,000 coronavirus cases and more than 2,400 deaths stemming from the disease since the pandemic began.

On paper, its COVID-19 restrictions are among the strictest in the world, but in reality grinding poverty is pushing many back onto the streets to eke out a living.

Standing beside his vegetable boxes in Tripoli, Qarhani said he was already barely making ends meet after he gave up his job at a flower shop to sell fresh produce.

"We need 70,000 Lebanese pounds a day to put food on the table, but this job only provides half," he said, implying he