Lebanon extends COVID-19 measures until August amid infection surge

A handout picture provided by the Lebanese photo agency Dalati and Nohra on June 12, 2020 shows Prime Minister Hassan Diab (C) chairing an emergency cabinet session with other mask-clad ministers. (File/AFP)
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The Lebanese cabinet announced on Tuesday the extension of general mobilization until August amid a surge in coronavirus infections, local paper the Daily Star reported. 

The decision came as Prime Minister Hassan Diab said he expected a new wave of the coronavirus in October.

“The repercussions of this wave could be effective in the spread of the virus. Therefore, there is a need to extend the mobilization,” he said.

This will be the seventh time extension of restrictions on general mobilization is enforced since March 15 to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

The Health Ministry announced 33 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, bringing the total number of infected people to 1,778 and the death toll to 34.