The "Independent Merchants of Baalbek" held a protest in front of Baalbek Saraya, demanding permission to open their shops for a few hours each day.
According to the National News Agency, Ali Adel Awada spoke on behalf of the participating merchants, expressing their understanding of the Lebanese authorities' call for a general lockdown due to the alarming spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. They complied with this request; however, the crowded conditions in supermarkets, cooperatives, banks, and establishments exempt from the closure required merchants to raise their voices to the officials concerned. They are calling for financial assistance for the shop owners affected by the lockdown and to allow them to open their shops, even for a few hours daily, with a commitment to adhere to all precautionary and sterilization measures.
The Baalbek merchant noted that most traders in the city are unable to secure basic needs for their families, let alone pay their shop rents and employees' salaries. He pointed out that clothing, footwear, and linen shops are, at best, seeing fewer than 10 customers daily. He warned that if their demands are not met, they would refuse to comply with any future closure orders.
Additionally, the municipal council was urged to issue a decision to exempt shops and institutions from rental value fees for 2020 due to the significant losses incurred from the repeated lockdowns imposed by the pandemic and the rising dollar exchange rate. The debts from the unsold and stagnant merchandise are in dollars, while sales are conducted in the local currency. They also highlighted the economic distress and deteriorating living conditions they are facing, along with the seizure and loss of their deposits in banks.
He concluded by thanking "the efforts and commitment of all security agencies, and the cooperation of Baalbek-Hermel Governor Bashir Khadr and Mayor Fouad Balouq for their understanding of the situation and struggles of Baalbek merchants."
Lebanon is currently experiencing a general lockdown due to the record increase in COVID-19 cases.
