Higher Defense Council Recommends Lockdown Extension until April 26

The Higher Defense Council convened at Baabda Presidential Palace on Thursday and recommended an extension of Lebanon’s lockdown over coronavirus until April 26.

Prime Minister Hassan Diab made a general evaluation of the measures taken against the spread of coronavirus, recommending tighter controls mainly on flights carrying Lebanese expats back into Lebanon.

Diab briefed the attendees on the recommendation issued by the committee concerned with following up on measures to prevent coronavirus, which stipulated the extension of the period of general mobilization until April 26, 2020.

Health Minister Hamad Hassan said “Lebanon is still in the eye of the storm” and that strict measures will not be eased at this stage.

Lebanon in mid-March ordered residents to stay at home and all non-essential businesses to close to halt the spread of COVID-19, which has officially infected 575 people and killed 19 nationwide.

Hassan also stressed the necessity of following up on PCR tests run on Lebanese returnees flown into Lebanon recently.

The Higher Defense Council decided to recommend an extension of the general mobilization period until April 26.

President Michel Aoun chaired the meeting and was attended by Diab, several ministers, Army commander Gen. Joseph Aoun, Head of General Security Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim, in addition to other security officials.