Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Thursday, May 22, 2025
    961
    Instagram Facebook LinkedIn TikTok
    • Breaking News
    • Guides
    • Food & Drink
    • Listicles
    • Join the Team
    • Whatsapp
      • 961
      • 961 News
    • AUB Outdoors ☀️
    Advertise with Us Get the App
    961
    Home»News»Lebanon News
    https://www.facebook.com/Nabilismail99/photos/a.680427492111696/1452345444919893/?type=3&theater
    Nabil Ismail
    4 Mins Read

    This is What Beirut Looks Like Under Lockdown (Photos)

    By Nour Abdul RedaMarch 15, 2020Updated:January 22, 2021
    Facebook WhatsApp Copy Link

    Beirut, the city that never sleeps, has been hibernating for a few days, now that a vicious external force puts its people in danger. Beirut is officially under lockdown.

    Known to be vibrant and ecstatic, the streets of Beirut have been making no sounds. Though the pink trees in downtown have blossomed and the cats of Beirut are up and about, the humans of Beirut remain in hiding.

    The coronavirus (COVID-19) has taken Lebanon by surprise, like many countries before us, making the people unable to comprehend their next steps. Do we fear the unknown danger? Do we protect our elderlies and younglings until we sail back to safety?

    Nabil Ismail-Photography Talks

    With 99 confirmed coronavirus cases in Lebanon; 3 of whom have died and one of whom has fully recovered, the people of Lebanon are not willing to take any risk, wisely so, and are leaving their towns to the ghosts, just until it, the fear, passes.

    Lebanese photographer Nabil Ismail has captured the void this virus has left in the streets of Beirut as well as the closed and chained stores of the city.

    Nabil Ismail-Photography Talks

    Even Barbar, Hamra, the restaurant that refused to close during the 1975 civil war and would feed the fighters on a daily basis, has been defeated in this biological battle.

    “Money is the most dangerous. Chauffeurs should be aware of this and always carry a hand gel.”

    Taxi driver in Beirut, March 13, 2020.

    “A mean disease, these days you cannot trust anyone,” a taxi driver says waving at his big bottle of hand gel, “You never know who has it [the virus] and who doesn’t.”

    The taxi driver is even scared of his customers’ money; he sanitizes their money once given to him.

    Nabil Ismail-Photography Talks

    Beirut under lockdown: giving people enough reasons to stay at home.

    Lebanon has launched the “Stay Home” campaign encouraging the people residing in Lebanon to stay home so the coronavirus (COVID-19) can cease spreading and hence be contained.

    The Lebanese Cabinet has decided to double the speed and capacity of internet service subscribers with the Ogero network, starting Monday, March 16th.

    This can help people get their work and studies done from home, or even entertain themselves for an extra hour or two.

    Nabil Ismail-Photography Talks

    The electricity has also not being cut off as much as before. What once was a national pressing demand, is now being offered as a plea for people to halt the gatherings and enjoy their extra hours of the State’s “generous” electricity hours.

    Ironically enough, the scary coronavirus has solved one of the people’s demands, even if partially, restoring some more electricity in their homes.

    Still, the Lebanese people are impatient. Professional socialists during the day, and life of the party at night, procrastination is not as promising as it seems to many.

    Nabil Ismail-Photography Talks

    But joy still ignites through the darkest times, as proven by the people of Ashrafieh. Like Italy, the neighbors in Ashrafieh were spotted dancing and singing along the melodies of Fairouz, uplifting the general mood, and giving hope to those who might have lost it.

    We are a nation of survivors, from natural disasters to wars, to years of revolutions, the Lebanese people do tend to believe to have seen it all. And they’re not so wrong.

    Nabil Ismail-Photography Talks

    Coronavirus (COVID-19) may have sparked fear, but it will pass, and we will survive; like our nation has always done.

    The ghost town that is Beirut now, will slowly gain back its energetic people and vibrancy. A man who sat beside me on the bus one time said; “We are a nation of burning, drowning, and slowly dying.” Yet, we are the nation that always finds a reason to continue living!

    Scroll down for more sadly beautiful pictures of Beirut under lockdown captured by the lense of Nabil Ismail.

    Nabil Ismail-Photography Talks
    Nabil Ismail-Photography Talks
    Nabil Ismail-Photography Talks
    Nabil Ismail-Photography Talks
    Nabil Ismail-Photography Talks
    Nabil Ismail-Photography Talks
    Nabil Ismail-Photography Talks
    Nabil Ismail-Photography Talks
    Nabil Ismail-Photography Talks
    Nabil Ismail-Photography Talks
    Coronavirus (COVID-19)
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email

    For You

    uae travel ban lebanon 961

    UAE Is Officially Removing The Travel Ban On Lebanon

    Joe Issa El-Khoury 961

    Who is Joe Issa El-Khoury, Lebanon’s New Minister of Industry

    Adel Nassar 961

    Who is Adel Nassar, Lebanon’s New Minister of Justice

    Nizar Hani 961

    Who is Nizar Hani, Lebanon’s New Minister of Agriculture

    Charles Hajj 961

    Who Is Charles Hajj, Lebanon’s New Minister of Telecommunications

    Nora Bayrakdarian 961

    Who is Nora Bayrakdarian, Lebanon’s New Minister of Youth and Sports

    Ampere Cinema Reopens Its Doors In North Lebanon After 28 Years Of Absence

    20 Celebrities You Probably Didn’t Know Had Lebanese Roots

    April 22, 2019
    saint levant aub outdoors 2025 961

    Saint Levant Is Officially Headlining AUB Outdoors 2025!

    May 7, 2025

    Lebanon’s Shawarma Is Going Viral in The Philippines

    April 21, 2019
    dew apparel nada koussa miss lebanon 961

    Miss Lebanon Nada Koussa Just Launched A Sportswear Brand

    May 3, 2025
    Lebanese boutiques

    25 Boutiques In Lebanon To Find Your Dream Evening Dress This Wedding Season

    June 9, 2024

    20 Typical Lebanese Slang Expressions

    April 21, 2020
    arabic words

    30 Beautiful Arabic Words You Probably Want To Learn

    April 22, 2020
    nada koussa miss world miss lebanon 961

    Nada Koussa Just Left To Represent Lebanon At Miss World

    May 7, 2025
    Fitness Lebanon

    15 Top Gyms in Lebanon for Every Workout Style

    November 2, 2023
    961 Logo
    Facebook WhatsApp TikTok Instagram

    Popular Topics

    • Guides
    • Eat & Drink
    • Listicles
    • Lebanon News
    • Diaspora
    • Explained

    961

    • About
    • WhatsApp Channel
    • News WhatsApp Channel
    • Corrections Policy
    • Ownership & Funding

    Services

    • Advertise
    • Careers
    • App Waitlist
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletter
    961™ | All Rights Reserved ©2025
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Okay