DUBAI: Lebanon extended the “state of general mobilization” until June 7 after an increase in daily coronavirus cases, local newspaper The Daily Star Lebanon reported.
This is the fifth time the government has extended the lockdown, which originally started on March 15.
“The main reason for the increase of infections is the expat flights” bringing stranded nationals back, information minister Manal Abdel-Samad said.
The country registered the highest number of daily cases, at 63 on Thursday, after relaxing some lockdown measures and reopening restaurants and cafes. Out of the new infections, 27 were detected among repatriated Lebanese citizens.
Several of the newly confirmed cases were directly traced to returned nationals too, who tested positive days after arrival.
It is still unclear when the Rafik Hariri International Airport will reopen, Abdel-Samad said.
More flights repatriating nationals will arrive in the country from Doha, Paris, Casablanca, Lagos, London and Lusaka. Passengers from all trips, except from Lagos and Lusaka, will be tested for coronavirus once they arrive in Lebanon. Other Lebanese repatriates from the other two cities meanwhile will be tested ahead of their flights.
Lebanon’s current numbers are at 1,024 infected individuals, 663 recovered patients and 26 fatalities.
