Lebanon’s premier Hassan Diab announced the suspension of flights to and from China, Italy, South Korea and Iran, granting the Lebanese in France, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Germany, Spain and the UK a four-day deadline to return home.

PM Diab’s announcement followed a meeting for the Lebanese anti-coronavirus committee, which also decided to ban public congregations across the nation.

“Lebanon was among the first nations that took measures over the issue of the coronavirus and we followed up on all cases as some voices attacked the government, especially when we announced the closure of schools,” Diab said.

“From the beginning, we took strict and preventative measures at the airport,” he added.

“We are facing a disease that is spreading in most countries in the world and the government has not procrastinated in taking any measures to protect the Lebanese,” Diab went on to say.

He added that he has asked public administrations and municipalities to limit their work to the least number of employees and that he has asked authorities to take all measures to prevent public and private gatherings.

“I have asked employers in all sectors to take measures to protect employees,” Diab said, noting that the committee is monitoring all cases and will submit further recommendations should the need arise.

Lebanon has already recorded 66 coronavirus cases, as the health ministry announced a second death and first recovery from the Covid-19.

Source: Al-Manar English Website