Lebanese HM: Lebanon needs two-week lockdown after ‘shocking’ COVID-19 rise

Lebanon must shut down for two weeks after a surge in coronavirus infections, the caretaker health minister said on Monday, as the country reels from the massive Beirut port blast.

“We declare today a state of general alert and we need a brave decision to close (the country) for two weeks,” Hamad Hassan told Voice of Lebanon radio.

“We are all facing a real challenge and the numbers that were recorded in the last period are shocking,” Hassan said.

“The matter requires decisive measures.” Intensive care beds at state and private hospitals were now full, he added.