Lebanon Must Close Down For Two Weeks, Says Health Minister

The Lebanese health minister has urged that the country must shut down for two weeks amid a surge in coronavirus cases after the deadly blast at Beirut port.

Beirut is still reeling from the effects of the massive blast that claimed the lives of more than 170 people and left thousands injured. Now the health minister Hamad Hassan says that to be able to reduce the impact of coronavirus and stop it from spreading further, the country should be put on a two-week-long lockdown.

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

On Sunday, Aug. 16, the country reported 439 new coronavirus cases and 6 deaths due to it. The country was already battling the coronavirus pandemic when the tragic blast took place, pushing the country more toward the severe financial crisis.

“We are all facing a real challenge and the numbers that were recorded in the last period are shocking,” Hassan added. “The matter requires decisive measures.”

He further said how the beds in the intensive care units at the hospital are already going full.

The deadly Beirut blast has been linked to the explosion at a warehouse where more than 2,000 tonnes of fertilizer was being stored for the last six years. However, the reason for the fire that led to the explosion has not been identified yet.

The U.S. FBI as well as French personnel are said to be working with the Lebanese authorities to figure out the actual cause of the explosion and the reason for the fire.

Hassan has urged people to remain on high alert and take the strictest preventive measures to stop the spread of coronavirus infection. He further said that the airports in the country will not be closed as the “real danger” is spread within the Lebanese society and the cases are stemming from within.

The World Health Organization (WHO) had also said that the risk of the spread of coronavirus in Lebanon has become high ever since the Beirut blast.