Despite the ongoing spike in the number of COVID-19 cases and a cabinet decision to re-extend public mobilization until the end of this year, Lebanon eased some preventive measures imposed last week on the tourism and social sectors and which were supposed to be implemented until September 7.
On Aug. 21, the country began a new lockdown and an overnight curfew to rein in a spike in coronavirus infections.
However, the negative impact of closure weighted heavily on the tourism and commercial sectors, and thus on the economic movement and social conditions.
In this regard, the Interior Ministry modified on Thursday the curfew and working hours during lockdown.
“Starting Friday, August 28th at 6 am, the imposed curfew will start at 10 pm and end at 6 am every day,” the ministry said, instead of beginning every day at 6 pm.
In its official decision, the ministry also ordered the reopening of gyms, restaurants, bars, and beach resorts with a capacity of 50 percent. People will also be permitted to enter public parks and the Corniche before curfew. However, cinemas and kids’ playgrounds must remain closed, and serving hookahs in restaurants is prohibited.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Hamad Hassan ordered the reopening of daycare centers in Lebanon starting the end of August on condition of respecting the preventive measures and the directions of the Ministry.
The decision of reopening most sectors in Lebanon came as the Health Ministry announced Thursday that 689 new coronavirus cases and 7 more deaths from the disease have been recorded in Lebanon in the last 24 hours.
It also comes at a time when health institutions revealed that the outbreak of the pandemic threatens the sector.
Government hospitals in Beirut and Mount Lebanon said they already overpassed 80 percent of their capacities while 600 employees from the health sector were already infected by the disease.
