عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Libya: COVID-19 Forces Sabha Residents to Isolate Themselves

A worker wears a protective face mask and gloves at a factory for masks, as part of precautionary measures against coronavirus, in Misrata, Libya. (File photo: Reuters)
A worker wears a protective face mask and gloves at a factory for masks, as part of precautionary measures against coronavirus, in Misrata, Libya. (File photo: Reuters)
TT
20
TT

Libya: COVID-19 Forces Sabha Residents to Isolate Themselves

A worker wears a protective face mask and gloves at a factory for masks, as part of precautionary measures against coronavirus, in Misrata, Libya. (File photo: Reuters)
A worker wears a protective face mask and gloves at a factory for masks, as part of precautionary measures against coronavirus, in Misrata, Libya. (File photo: Reuters)

Libya's National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) called on all citizens to remain in Sabha city until those who were in direct contact with individuals recently tested positive for COVID-19 were traced and the epidemiological situation stabilized.

The number of people infected with the COVID-19 virus in Sabha has increased Tuesday, after 10 new cases had been recorded in the city, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 168, with 52 recoveries and five deaths.

NCDC advised the residents of Sabha, south of Libya, to follow the preventative measures, including, curfew, social distancing, and rigorous adherence to personal hygiene to help stem the spread of the pandemic.

The Center indicated that its epidemiological monitoring and investigation teams as well as the rapid response teams are doing their best to track and identify cases.

It dedicated a free-of-charge emergency number for citizens who have any inquiry or suspect they have any of the virus’ symptoms.

Meanwhile, Justice Ministry of the Government of National Accord (GNA) said that the Ministry's health care unit continues to distribute a number of medical and preventive equipment to prisons and rehabilitation centers in Tripoli, including hand sterilizers and disinfectants.

The Ministry noted that these efforts aim to contain the pandemic and prevent its outbreak in prisons.

The supreme committee to combat coronavirus in the eastern region imposed a general lockdown in from 7 PM till 6 AM to help limit the spread of the virus.

The medical consultative committee said that 74 citizens left their hotel in Benghazi after 14 days of quarantine.

On Tuesday, the US Embassy in Libya announced that the US government has committed an additional $6.5 million in support of Libya’s COVID-19 response, which include helping municipalities formalize their crisis response functions, develop emergency management plans, and train teams in crisis emergency response.

The embassy noted that this additional support will also help to expand public awareness and provide assistance to migrants and refugees in Libya during the pandemic.

“The US Government continues to support Libya’s response to COVID-19, totaling over $12 million in assistance committed since the beginning of the outbreak.”

Most Viewed

 
Arab World

Syrians Rejoice during First Eid after Assad's Fall

Hundreds of Syrian Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Grand Mosque in Maarat al-Numan in Idlib, Syria, 31 March 2025. EPA/BILAL AL HAMMOUD
Hundreds of Syrian Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Grand Mosque in Maarat al-Numan in Idlib, Syria, 31 March 2025. EPA/BILAL AL HAMMOUD
TT
20
TT

Syrians Rejoice during First Eid after Assad's Fall

Hundreds of Syrian Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Grand Mosque in Maarat al-Numan in Idlib, Syria, 31 March 2025. EPA/BILAL AL HAMMOUD
Hundreds of Syrian Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Grand Mosque in Maarat al-Numan in Idlib, Syria, 31 March 2025. EPA/BILAL AL HAMMOUD

Eid al-Fitr in Syria was charged with newfound joy this year, as thousands freely celebrated the holiday for the first time after the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

From the early morning hours, crowds of men, women and children flocked to pray at Damascus's historic Umayyad Mosque in the Old City.

"This is the first time we truly feel the joy of Eid, after getting rid of Assad's tyrannical regime," Fatima Othman told AFP.

Following prayer, worshippers exchanged Eid greetings while street vendors sold colorful balloons and toys to children posing for photos with their parents.

"Our celebration is doubled after Assad's fall," said Ghassan Youssef, a resident of the capital.

A few kilometers (miles) away, on the slopes of Mount Qasyun overlooking Damascus -- a site previously off-limits to Syrians until Assad was deposed on December 8 -- a few thousand people gathered at Unknown Soldier Square for an open-air prayer.

Among them were members of the security forces and the army, dressed in uniform and armed. The road leading to the square was packed, according to an AFP photographer.

Some worshippers distributed sweets to celebrate, while the three-star Syrian flag, adopted by the new authorities, waved in the air.

Under the previous government, access to the Unknown Soldier monument was typically restricted to Assad and his close associates, who would lay wreaths there during national ceremonies.

'Celebration of celebrations!'
The memorial, where a giant screen broadcast the Eid prayer, is near the presidential palace.

There, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa prayed alongside Syria's new mufti Osama al-Rifai and several cabinet ministers in the presence of a large crowd.

He later delivered a speech emphasizing the country faced "a long and arduous road to reconstruction but possesses all the resources needed to recover".

This came two days after the formation of a new government, which faces daunting challenges in a country devastated by 14 years of civil war.

Wael Hamamiya, who had been in Sweden since the early days of the conflict, returned to Damascus to celebrate Eid with his family.

"This is my first Eid here in nearly 15 years. I truly feel the celebration in its full meaning," he told AFP, beaming.

"Everyone who has come is over the moon. This is the celebration of celebrations!"

The occasion was more somber for some Syrians, who were able to visit the graves of loved ones that had been off-limits during Assad reign, especially in former opposition strongholds.

At al-Rawda Cafe in Damascus, 36-year-old Amer Hallaq chatted with friends after returning from exile in Berlin where he ended up after dodging compulsory military service in 2014.

"For years, I thought I'd never see my family again or celebrate Eid with them," Hallaq said.

"The joy of liberation and victory is immense, but there's still a lot of work ahead. This is only the beginning of the road."