by Naharnet — Information Minister Manal Abdul Samad on Thursday explained what the government intends to do regarding the Lebanese citizens who want to return to their country due to the global coronavirus crisis. “The Lebanese abroad who want to return to Lebanon after April 12 must fill in forms and a mechanism will be devised before March 30 to facilitate bank transfers to them,” Abdul Samad said in remarks reported by MTV. They should “communicate with the embassies to report their situation and needs,” Abdul Samad added.

 by globalnewshut.com — Germaine K. Curran —PARIS: France’s Lebanese neighborhood speak about confinement throughout the pandemic and the place they might quite be France is dwelling to about 250,000 Lebanese — college students, entrepreneurs, businessmen, bankers, architects, medical doctors, surgeons, restaurateurs, hoteliers, nurses and orderlies. Arab Information requested a variety of them concerning the lockdown in France and whether or not they felt safer in France than in Lebanon. Most of these interviewed felt that the French state was extra involved with the well being and well-being of its residents and extra prepared to compensate firms for losses incurred than the Lebanese state, which is overwhelmed with chapter and money owed and is unable to make sure even the bottom requirements of residing for its residents.

Ziad Asseily, co-owner of the Liza eating places in Paris and Beirut along with his spouse Liza, is now confined to dwelling in Paris. “I used to be in Beirut and I went again to Paris to be with my spouse Liza and my daughter simply earlier than the closure of Beirut airport. I might say that I really feel safer in Paris than in Beirut for the struggle in opposition to coronavirus as a result of in France now we have a complete authorities that manages the state of affairs. In Lebanon, folks should depend on themselves to face this disaster,” he stated. “Throughout my keep in Lebanon, I met some mates who took the initiative to abide by the internationally imposed prevention measures lengthy earlier than the Lebanese authorities imposed them. Residents resorted to dwelling confinement even earlier than the federal government determined to droop worldwide flights. They understood that it was the appropriate step to take, to isolate oneself.”

“That is on a private stage,” Asseily stated. “Enterprise-wise, the federal government’s resolutions are very reassuring in France. I’ve two eating places which I closed in the identical week. The results of the closure are disastrous for me, my staff, for everybody. In Lebanon, we’re witnessing a widespread financial and monetary disaster. The state of affairs was very tough. I managed to maintain the restaurant in Lebanon working because the revolt was brewing however between Oct.15 and Dec.15, it was disastrous, we misplaced some huge cash. The vacation season saved the day however between January 15 and March 15 the tempo of labor declined till the restaurant closed its doorways after March 10. “For the reason that financial system got here to a close to cease, now we have been utilizing the idle time to enhance our enterprise by accelerating the digitization of our work. What is going on now could be that we’re heading in direction of the longer term at full throttle. Folks have shortly adopted digital instruments, whether or not in faculties, non-public classes or group video games in videoconferencing. These are instruments that existed for a really very long time and weren’t utilized by the vast majority of folks as a result of there was no want. However from the second everybody was confined, straight away there was a mind-blowing adoption of those instruments. In my subject of labor, supply will prevail. “These first days of confinement, folks panicked and saved all form of produce at dwelling. I consider that in two to a few weeks, as soon as folks get used to their new life-style, they are going to tire of consuming pasta and rice and can begin ordering Japanese, Lebanese, and Chinese language meals and burgers once more. I feel that supply in a number of weeks will spike. I’m additionally a shareholder in an organization known as L’atelier des Cooks that gives cooking lessons via on-line workshops. These on-line kitchens have grown steadily over the previous few days. “By means of the issues I noticed round me in Beirut and Paris, I felt that this break was greater than welcomed. Enterprise at our restaurant in Beirut was going easily for years. Nevertheless, in Paris, for the reason that yellow vests motion and the strikes of December, folks restricted their actions which deeply affected our sector. In response to those occasions, the French authorities is creating an help fund. We aren’t seeing comparable initiatives in Lebanon. Folks depend on the non-public sector as the federal government isn’t serving to. Ought to this proceed, the folks will abstain from paying taxes and different levies to the state. I’ve 38 folks working in my restaurant in Lebanon, I’ve not laid off anybody. In Paris, I’ve 24, they’re presupposed to be paid by the corporate and the French state is meant to pay us again. It isn’t clear but, however principally it’s the entrepreneur who can pay, which could be very tough in these situations.”

Joumana Tadmouri has a doctorate in French literature and is a former professor on the Sorbonne, in Paris. She can also be a co-founder of a global graduate faculty in Paris and teaches journalism. Tadmouri stated that when she heard the Lebanese minister of well being saying there isn’t a must panic whereas in France the authorities have taken very strict measures to cope with coronavirus, she felt that we live in two totally different worlds. “We maintain our dwelling nation in our hearts and we simply can’t neglect it, however we really feel safer in France, our host nation,” she stated. “Even when the French authorities made a mistake and determined to maneuver on with the elections throughout the lockdown interval, it exerted all efforts to guard its residents. It additionally developed a plan protecting all financial, well being, human points to avert a well being disaster. Alternatively, we see the Lebanese authorities which solely lately suspended worldwide flights carrying folks from who is aware of the place they got here from, bringing who is aware of what. There have been three contaminated international locations and proper from the beginning they need to have stopped flights coming from there. “As well as, the Lebanese authorities lacks the flexibility to supply the required care. Take for instance town of Tripoli and its vegetable market, the place persons are pressured to go to work for a minimal wage of $four a day, so they can’t keep at dwelling. That is why we’re afraid to be in Lebanon — I understand how the hospitals in Lebanon deal with the sick and the way Lebanese public hospitals lack gear. We can’t really feel protected in a rustic the place masks are offered at exorbitant costs and the place no initiative is taken on the a part of the federal government. I might not really feel in peace in Lebanon. I’m very afraid for areas comparable to Akkar and Tripoli, the place there is just one hospital that may obtain a really restricted variety of sufferers in a metropolis the place six to seven folks dwell in a small condo, the place persons are not very educated and, as a lot as you clarify to them, they are going to by no means be capable to perceive the actual hazard. There are some who’re nonetheless demanding to go to Friday prayers. “Even when I really feel safer in France, I’m nonetheless in danger. France has delayed the implementation of the required procedures, so what are you able to say about Lebanon? While you additionally contemplate the refugees in Lebanon and the very densely populated areas with out assets, the state of affairs is de facto alarming. Nevertheless, the optimistic information is how folks in Lebanon assist one another, as now we have seen since October 17, when the revolution started. It’s actually wonderful.”

Dr. Camille Tawil, a Lebanese-born basic practitioner residing in Paris, stated: “In Lebanon the measures taken by the federal government mirror its prospects and what could be executed on this interval of financial disaster in Lebanon. France has taken measures that aren’t very totally different from these adopted in Lebanon. Confinement is the essential measure. This virus should not unfold and have an effect on weak folks. I feel the figures introduced in Lebanon don’t mirror actuality as a result of not all persons are screened and there are lots of affected by the virus who don’t declare it. In Lebanon now we have 136 confirmed circumstances in line with the ministry of well being, whereas in France now we have nearly 11,000 circumstances with 372 deaths. Most circumstances examined optimistic for coronavirus (COVID-19) are in Beirut, adopted by Jbeil and Keserouan, accounting for 20 p.c of the circumstances. Personally, what scares me most are the Palestinian camps and Syrian refugees’ camps the place round 1.5 million folks dwell. If now we have COVID-19 circumstances amongst them and the confinement procedures are usually not revered, will probably be a catastrophe. “As for whether or not I really feel safer in France than in Lebanon, I frankly can’t say. In Lebanon many are examined utilizing invalid testing kits that give false outcomes. In France, solely people who find themselves over 70 years of age or have Kind 1 diabetes, bronchial asthma or continual bronchitis are examined. Folks underneath 70 with signs comparable to cough, headache or fatigue are given paracetamol, or antibiotics if they’ve a lung an infection, and are requested to remain at dwelling and self-isolate for at the very least 14 days. I feel the French have develop into very disciplined after the second speech of the president. “I’m a health care provider and I’m nonetheless receiving sufferers in my clinic. Nevertheless, I’ve diminished the variety of my consultations whereas taking quite a lot of precautions. French residents are actually complying with the lockdown, as they’re very conscious of the severity of this pandemic and the significance of public well being to forestall weak folks from being affected as a result of it will not be attainable to deal with everybody. There are usually not sufficient beds in intensive care or respirators to deal with everybody on the similar time, that’s the reason confinement is vital.

A jogger runs throughout a normally busy avenue, however now void of automobiles. (AFP) “My fellow medical doctors in Lebanon really feel the identical manner. We’re all abiding by the suggestions issued both by the native public well being authorities or by the World Well being Group (WHO). All my colleagues and all politicians in Lebanon are urging folks to remain dwelling. In his press convention the Phalange celebration chief Samy Gemayel requested the federal government and the native authorities to power folks to remain dwelling. However alas, everyone knows that Lebanese are much less disciplined than Europeans, it’s of their genes! They are going to ultimately perceive that this isn’t a recreation, we can’t ignore the seriousness of the speedy unfold of this illness.” France-based Lebanese designer Rabih Kayrouz, who additionally has trend homes in Beirut and London, spoke to Arab Information from Beirut, the place he was staying when the airport was shut down: “I might have returned to Paris however I selected to remain right here with my household. I might quite be confined at dwelling in Lebanon than in my condo in Paris. Now I’m involved as a result of many of the work for Rabih Kayrouz, which is a French model, is in Paris. In Beirut, now we have a stitching workshop for the orders and a store. We make use of 15 folks in Beirut, 30 in Paris and three folks in London within the department we simply opened. However I selected to remain in Lebanon. “The French authorities has taken measures to assist firms, which doesn’t shock me. In Lebanon it’s fully our accountability, which is a reason behind concern as a result of now we have 50 folks to supply for, and I’ve been dealing with this drawback in Beirut since Oct. 17, 2019 when the revolt began. All actions have been stopped now as a result of lockdown.” Kamal Mouzzawak is the founding father of Souk El-Tayeb in Lebanon, a farmers’ market that helps small village producers by bringing their produce to city areas the place the demand and buying energy is larger. “In 2007 we went to totally different areas and celebrated native specialties comparable to cherries in Hamana or Kebbé in Ehden throughout a particular Meals and Feast day with typical dishes from villages. We then had the thought to do the identical in Beirut and we created ‘Tawleh’ in 2009 in Mar Mikhael. Later, we expanded the Tawleh idea in all areas showcasing the Lebanese dishes. “Financial exercise has been at its lowest since October 17, so we travelled overseas, a couple of times a month. We ought to be in Marseille on April 13, and at an enormous occasion in Barcelona, Washington and different locations. We made quite a lot of modifications to our institutions in Lebanon and we had been planning to elaborate on that in a Tawleh in London. “With the coronavirus drawback, occasions began to be canceled and now the whole lot has stopped and everyone seems to be confined. I don’t really feel safer in Europe than in Lebanon. Even when persons are undisciplined in Lebanon, I can at all times self-discipline myself, I’ve been in Douma for 2 weeks in self-isolation. “In Paris, though the folks had been requested to restrict themselves from Sunday morning all people was out on Saturday night, which is irresponsible. It’s spectacular that in Lebanon the folks began the lockdown, not of the federal government as in all different international locations.” Norma Khoury, who lives in France, thinks of carers in France and their braveness. She informed Arab Information: “In Lebanon we do not need the identical means or gear as France, and even in France they lack supplies and beds as a result of large stress on public hospital budgets. “I don’t belief the flexibility of hospitals in Lebanon to deal with the folks. The inhabitants in Lebanon strikes round and is much less disciplined. I might quite be right here, the place I really feel extra assured, than in Lebanon.”

Marwan Choucair, a younger Lebanese entrepreneur based mostly in Antibes, in southern France, was about to create a Lebanese Meals Truck, a cellular restaurant. He stated: “In Lebanon, now we have relations and mates with whom we will speak however in France we really feel that the state of affairs is extra managed. We have now a state which has a method to struggle the coronavirus, subsequently from a well being safety perspective in France issues are certainly higher dealt with than in Lebanon.”