By Sami Zaptia.
London, 15 April 2020:
Libya’s National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announced a further nine new cases of Coronavirus late last night. Eight of these were through interaction with an existing case/s but one was a new case. The NCDC said it had received a total of 25 suspected samples and 16 proved negative.
This brings the country’s total to 35 positive cases with 9 recoveries and one death so far.
Discussion is ongoing as to whether the curfew should be extended as some people are not respecting the social distancing and non-gathering instructions. The contrarian view is that the 9 to 2pm hours are too narrow a window for people to conduct their affairs and shopping, causing crowding.
There is also discussion and concern about the Foreign Ministry’s announcement that it is planning to repatriate thousands of Libyans stranded abroad. Despite plans to test and quarantine them, many Libyans are worried that some will escape quarantine – as had allegedly happened with some returnees just before the quarantine was announced.
Libya’s Tripoli-based Foreign Ministry announces plans to repatriate citizens stranded abroad
