Contrary to what some social media posts are claiming, shopping centers in Lebanon will not reopen on Monday, May 25th.
According to the 5-step reopening plan that the Lebanese Cabinet announced last month, malls and shopping centers should open this Monday. However, due to the recent developments with the epidemic, this is no longer the case.
The Media Office of the Interior Minister, Mohammad Fehmi, issued a statement on Friday to clear up the misconception.
“It is circulating on social media that all major malls intend to open on 25/05/2020,” the statement started.
“The media office of the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities is concerned with asserting that it is prohibited for the aforementioned centers to reopen their doors in order to preserve public safety,” the minister’s office stressed.
This came after the Supreme Defense Council held a meeting this week and decided that the general mobilization would be extended and the mitigative measures will continue “according to the procedures of the third stage.”
Hence, the 4th stage of the reopening plan remains on hold as of the time of writing.
As for the decision that concerns the opening or closure of shopping centers and/or any other stores and facilities in the country, the statement asserted that it can only be made in accordance with the circulars issued by the Interior Ministry.
Lebanon recently surpassed 1,000 COVID-19 cases, with the number reaching 1,091 after the Health Ministry confirmed 11 new cases on May 23rd.
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