President Michel Aoun marked Annunciation Day on Wednesday calling on the Lebanese people to stay safe at home and raise prayers so that Lebanon is able to overcome the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“Make the Annunciation Day an occasion for prayer with the aim of consolidating our national unity after it was proven to all that our national unity is our shield in distress and hardship,” said Aoun.

Health Minister Hamad Hasan noted on Wednesday that home quarantine is inevitable in order to stop the spread of coronavirus, adding that the government could consider a lockdown extension.

As Western countries reeling from the coronavirus pandemic awaken to a new reality of economic collapse, overwhelmed hospitals, grounded flights and home confinement, it's tempting to think the end of days is at hand.

But for millions across the Middle East and in conflict zones farther afield, much of this is grimly familiar. The survivors of recent wars, too often dismissed as the pitiable victims of failed states, can offer hard-earned wisdom in times like these.

Speaker Nabih Berri has said that the Parliament will be holding online legislative and supervisory meetings as the nation witnesses a two week lockdown over coronavirus fears, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Wednesday.

The daily quoted the Speaker as saying that “the meetings will be held through video conferencing technology and through specialized institutions, which saves time and cost.”

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Tuesday denied social media rumors claiming that he has contracted the COVID-19 coronavirus, as he reassured that he is taking precautions.

“It is not shameful for any person to be infected with coronavirus these days,” Geagea added, in a phone interview with MTV.

Prime Minister Hassan Diab on Tuesday said those calling for the declaration of a state of emergency over coronavirus must first “read the law and its stipulations,” noting that officials have a duty to seek ways to assist citizens whose jobs have been affected by the lockdown.

“The state must help the people, but the presence of social solidarity is necessary,” Diab added, during a cabinet session at the Grand Serail.

President Michel Aoun on Tuesday followed up on the work of the crews of the state-run Rafik Hariri University Hospital and the Lebanese Red Cross in the face of the coronavirus crisis and heard their concerns and demands, the National News Agency said.

The talks between Aoun and the two sides occurred through separate video calls via the Skype application, NNA said.

The Presidency on Tuesday issued a statement in which it denied claims that President Michel Aoun is opposed to declaring a state of emergency over coronavirus for political considerations.

“All information and stances attributed to the president are totally baseless and aimed at harming the unity of constitutional, executive and military institutions, especially the army,” the Presidency said.

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat on Tuesday wondered whether the government has an economic plan in parallel with the emergency measures it has declared to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

“The most important question, along with the coronavirus crisis, is that where is the government’s reformist economic plan?” Jumblat tweeted.

The Health Ministry said in its daily report on the number of people infected with the new coronavirus epidemic that the new tally registered a total of 304 cases.