Lebanon begins round-the-clock curfew

2021-01-16 09:10:12

For the next 11 days at least most of Lebanon will be in complete lockdown, after the number of new infections in the country surged to among the highest rates in the world. Schools, restaurants and even supermarkets will be closed - instead customers will have to rely upon deliveries. The authorities say the drastic action is needed to slow the spread of the coronavirus that has overwhelmed Lebanon’s healthcare system. However, the curfew will worsen the country’s economic collapse. Charities are warning that almost half the population do not have enough cash to buy food to see them through until the end of the lockdown period. Lebanon’s dire economic situation has also affected the importation of medical supplies. So far, more than 1,600 Lebanese have died from Covid-19. The toll is expected to rise sharply in the coming days.