Lebanon calls in army to enforce coronavirus lockdown

Lebanon has called in the army and security forces to ensure people stay at home to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus that has killed four people nationwide.

In a televised address, Prime Minister Hassan Diab says the number of cases had risen to 230 in the country despite a call almost a week ago for all to remain at home.

Warning of a further spike to epidemic levels if people continued to flout social distancing rules, he said the government was calling in the army and security forces.

His administration decided to “task the army, Internal Security, General Security and State Security to… implement the order for citizens not to leave their homes, except out of extreme necessity, and prevent gatherings contravening” the order, Diab says.

This would take the form of patrols and road blocks, and those found disobeying would be pursued.

Diab again calls on all Lebanese to observe a curfew, “as the state cannot face this creeping epidemic on its own.”

— AFP