Lebanon, already grappling with economic crisis, now faces coronavirus shutdown – ZAWYA

Lebanon, already grappling with economic crisis, now faces coronavirus shutdown – ZAWYA

Beirut traffic was unusually light on typically heavily congested roads.. The government declared a medical state of emergency on Sunday, announcing a shutdown that included most public institutions and private companies as it looks to rein in the virus that has infected 109 people.. Addressing a news conference after an emergency cabinet session, Prime Minister Hassan Diab said the steps would "no doubt" impact the economy but "people's lives and health are more precious".. (Reporting by Tom Perry and Ellen Francis and Issam Abdallah; Editing by Angus MacSwan).