Lebanon begins 11 days of 24-hour curfews to stem COVID-19 surge

Lebanon begins 11 days of 24-hour curfews to stem COVID-19 surge

Author: Zaynab KhojjiID: 1610565382862280500Wed, 2021-01-13 22:16

BEIRUT: Starting Thursday morning, the Lebanese people will be put to the test again, as a new 11-day lockdown is imposed.

All projections predict a spike in the country's coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the upcoming days, while the hundreds of intensive care hospital beds dedicated to COVID-19 patients are full. Doctors have started to check on patients inside ambulances, and ask those who need oxygen to provide it at their own expense, and stay home.

According to the Lebanese Health Ministry's statistics, there were 618 critical cases and 80,386 active cases as of Wednesday morning, while the number of daily cases recorded has not dropped below 4,300 for days. These infections came a week after social interactions during New Year celebrations.

A state of health emergency, a total lockdown and a curfew have been imposed in the country between Jan. 14-25, a period that can be extended, to face the most dangerous COVID-19 wave Lebanon has witnessed since recording its first case last February.

The Lebanese Armed Forces, along with the state's security apparatus, will ensure the implementation of the curfew across Lebanon, noting that this is the first time the army has been asked to take part in the