Lebanon begins new lockdown amid surge in coronavirus cases

Lebanon begins a 25-day nationwide lockdown to limit the spread of the coronavirus as infections hit a record in the tiny Mediterranean nation and patients overwhelm the health care sector.

The lockdown in Lebanon is the third since the first case was reported in late February. It closes most businesses and limits traffic by imposing an odd and even license plate rule on alternating days. It also reduces the number of flights at the country’s only international airport.

As of Thursday, a daily 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew takes effect that will last until February 1.

On Wednesday, Lebanon broke its single-day record of new coronavirus infections on the eve of the lockdown with 4,166 cases reported in 24 hours.