COVID-19 pandemic in Libya

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Libya's healthcare system was already on the verge of collapse, given the chaos that has prevailed in the country since 2011.[10] Warring factions in the Libyan Civil War disregarded repeated entreaties from the United Nations for a ceasefire during the pandemic.[3][11]

The internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA), based in Tripoli, and the rival government under Khalifa Haftar, based in eastern Libya, both took steps to control the spread of COVID-19, through the closure of schools, markets, and some businesses.[10] Haftar's forces have attempted to take Tripoli, the Libyan capital, in an offensive that began in April 2019.[10] Hundreds have been killed, and thousands have been displaced, in the fighting.[10]

On 24 March, Libya confirmed its first COVID-19 case,[2] a 73-year-old man who had returned to the country in early March from a trip to Saudi Arabia.[10]

On 30 March, the GNA announced the release of 466 detainees in Tripoli, as part of an effort to stop the spread of the virus in prisons.[10]

On 5 April, Mahmoud Jibril, age 68, who headed the interim National Transitional Council in 2011, died from COVID-19 in Cairo, Egypt, having been admitted to the hospital on March 21.[12]

On 6 April, forces under the command of Khalifa Haftar launched a Grad rocket attack[13] against Al Khadra General Hospital, one of Tripoli's largest hospitals, injured six health workers and substantially damaged the hospital,[3] where 300 patients, including two COVID-19 patients, were being treated.[13] This was the third time that Haftar's forces attacked medical facilities during their intensified siege of Tripoli.[13] The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs condemned the attack as an "appalling" and "clear violation of international humanitarian law ... It is unacceptable at a time when healthcare and health workers are vital in our fight against a global pandemic."[3] The office stated that "This senseless escalation must stop so that health authorities and aid agencies can respond to COVID-19 and continue reaching people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance."[11] Renewed rocket attacks against the hospital continued the following day.[13]

On 7 April, Eastern Libya confirmed its first case.[14] By 7 April, Libya had confirmed 20 cases of COVID-19, mostly in western Libya.[13]

On 15 April, the Government of National Accord imposed a 24-hour curfew for a period of 10 days beginning on 17 April.[15]

Cases doubled over a period of two weeks in June, while increased conflict, including targeting of health facilities, has left it difficult for medical teams to respond.[16]

On 26 June, the UN-backed government extended the 8pm to 6am curfew for two further weeks, as confirmed cases increased to 713.[17]