Lebanon to extend virus shutdown, amid fears of second wave

On May 5, 2020

Lebanon is set to extend its lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus by two weeks until May 24 with the prime minister warning on Tuesday that a failure to comply with a gradual easing of restrictions risked a second wave of infections.

In an apparent reference to low rates of infection, Prime Minister Hassan Diab said the general assessment was “excellent”.

But he also told a meeting of the supreme defence council on Tuesday that “citizens did not comply with the restrictions and measures that are being gradually reduced”.

This “could reflect negatively on the spread of the virus and there is a fear of a second wave which could be much harder than the first”, he said, recommending the two-week extension, according to a statement issued after the meeting.

Lebanon has recorded 740 cases of the novel coronavirus and 25 deaths. The government has started to gradually ease some restrictions this week, allowing restaurants to open but at only 30% of their capacity.

Lebanon