Crisis-weary Beirut residents defy new lockdown despite COVID surge

As daily infections rise above 1,000 and with over 100,000 cases since start of pandemic, Lebanese government orders two-week shutdown, including a 5pm to 5am curfew on Sundays

Reuters|
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Beirut’s popular Sabra market teemed with shoppers this week, some of them unmasked, in apparent defiance of a full national lockdown imposed on Saturday to stem a resurgence of coronavirus infections.
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    • The Lebanese government ordered the two-week restrictions, including a 5pm to 5am curfew on Sundays, as new daily infections rose above 1,000.
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    People walk at a crowded souk as the Lebanese government ordered a national lockdown, to combat a resurgence of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Sabra, Beirut suburbs, Lebanon     People walk at a crowded souk as the Lebanese government ordered a national lockdown, to combat a resurgence of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Sabra, Beirut suburbs, Lebanon
    A crowded market during a national lockdown in Sabra, Beirut suburbs, Lebanon
    (Photo: Reuters)
    Lebanon reported 1,016 new infections on Monday, bringing its total to 106,446 cases and 827 deaths since Feb. 21.
    After city streets and roads emptied on Sunday, pedestrians were back on Monday and some motorists could be seen flouting a re-imposed odd-even license plate alternate day driving rule.
    “This doesn’t work... As you can see, people are on the streets, they (authorities) should have, from the beginning, followed a certain plan that doesn’t harm the economy and goes along with our situation because we’re special in Lebanon,” taxi driver Mahdi Msheik told Reuters Television.
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    Cars drive along a road as the Lebanese government ordered a national lockdown, to combat a resurgence of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Beirut Lebanon     Cars drive along a road as the Lebanese government ordered a national lockdown, to combat a resurgence of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Beirut Lebanon
    Cars drive along a road during a national lockdown in Beirut, Lebanon
    (Photo: Reuters)
    “Besides corona(virus), we have another crisis, the bank crisis. You can’t completely shut down because if you do, there are people who work on a daily basis, what do you do with them?”
    Even before the pandemic, Lebanon was reeling from a financial crisis that crashed the currency and paralyzed banks, freezing savers out of their deposits.
    “We’re going to get some food, but there’s no lockdown here. Go see the highways, no odd or even (car) plates, everyone’s out,” said Rami Fathalla, a beauty salon worker.
    3 View gallery
    People shop at a crowded souk as the Lebanese government ordered a national lockdown, to combat a resurgence of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Sabra, Beirut suburbs, Lebanon     People shop at a crowded souk as the Lebanese government ordered a national lockdown, to combat a resurgence of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Sabra, Beirut suburbs, Lebanon
    People shop at a crowded souk during a national lockdown in Sabra, Beirut suburbs, Lebanon
    (Photo: Reuters)
    “More people are not complying and have no masks. This is wrong, especially in a popular market,” said Mohammed Noureddine as he shopped at Sabra market.
    The new lockdown has, however, seen more checkpoints on highways, with police handing out tickets for those flouting rules.
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