Lebanon to Reopen after Two-Week Coronavirus Lockdown

The ministerial panel has decided to call for an 11pm-5am curfew and the closure of businesses at 10pm, with the cancelation of the even-odd license plate rule, local media reported. Speaking at a press conference following the meeting, caretaker Health Minister Hamad Hasan stressed the need to adopt gradual and responsible lockdown exit plan. “We assessed the outcomes of the two-week lockdown, and we found out that the percentage of commitment in Lebanon compared to January and February did not exceed fifty percent,” the outgoing minister was quoted as saying by National News Agency. “Since the festive season is approaching, and since we are going through special circumstances and life’s complications, we have turned to middle-way solutions,” Hasan added. Talking to Al-Manar later on Sunday, the minister said that the hospitals across Lebanon have raised their readiness during the two-week lockdown, noting that dozens of the beds were operated by both public and private health facilities. He put the percentage of positive cases at 15 percent, noting that before the lockdown ICU beds occupancy rate for corona patients varied between 80 and 90, while it has reached 65 to 70 today. Moreover, Hasan said that according to WHO’s standards Lebanon is classified as a third level country in terms of risk assessment. Source: Al-Manar English Website