Diab: Lebanon to Resume Economic Re-opening
Arab World
Asharq Al-Awsat
Lebanon will gradually reopen its economy beginning on Monday, Prime Minister Hassan Diab said in a televised address, following a four-day shutdown imposed after a rise in COVID-19 cases. Already in the throes of a deep economic crisis, Lebanon began easing virus-related restrictions on business late last month to try to restore some economic activity. But that plan was paused last week after a rise in cases, mainly caused by the return of Lebanese expatriates in special flights. Many of the expatriates, who have returned home, have tested positive. And some have not abided by 14-day quarantine measures, infecting people whom they have come in contact with. Other new cases were the result of lack of respect for social distancing rules. But Lebanon has been relatively successful reining in the outbreak since a mid-March lockdown that set an overnight curfew and shut most business and air travel. The country has recorded 911 infections and 26 deaths. Diab said Sunday that the economy would resume its gradual re-opening, but warned Lebanese to adhere strictly to health and safety guidelines that had been flouted during the initial attempt. "We do not want this stage to turn into a nightmare, and we will not accept that all Lebanese pay the price for some irresponsible and indifferent behaviors," said Diab. A five-stage plan for resuming economic activity unveiled last month envisages most economic activity restored after a final period beginning on June 8. Lebanon has not set a date for the re-opening of Rafik Hariri International Airport for commercial flights.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2288871/diab-lebanon-resume-economic-re-opening
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