On a special day, mothers receive roses from heaven

JOUNIEH, Lebanon－In a quiet Lebanese town under lockdown because of the novel coronavirus, a drone buzzed toward a balcony on Saturday to deliver a red rose to a mother grinning in surprise.

The COVID-19 pandemic may have put a damper on Mother's Day in Lebanon this year, but three students came up with a new service to celebrate the occasion without flouting social distancing restrictions.

Down in the street in the coastal town of Jounieh, 18-year-old Christopher Ibrahim texted a teenager who has ordered a flower drop-off for his mother, asking him to bring the family onto the balcony.

He slipped a single rose in a ring hanging under the aircraft and it lifted off into the air to carry the flower to its intended recipient.

"It's Mother's Day and everything's closed," said the engineering student, wearing a light blue face mask.

For almost a week, most Lebanese have been ordered to remain at home to stem the spread of COVID-19. The airport has closed and all non-essential businesses have been told to shutter.

Lebanon has recorded 230 cases of the novel coronavirus so far, and counted four deaths.

"I wanted to think of something that would enable people make their mothers happy in the safest way－without there being contact with anyone," Ibrahim said.

Ibrahim, who has filmed weddings using a drone and also volunteers for the Lebanese Red Cross, decided on the idea of an airborne rose.

"I thought if it was delivered by drone, there would be zero contact," he said.

But beyond cheering up mothers in lockdown, Ibrahim said the unconventional flower delivery service also aimed to support medical workers battling the pandemic.

"Everything we make from this project will go to the Red Cross," he said. Each rose delivery cost between 10,000 and 20,000 Lebanese pounds ($6.6-$13) depending on the location.

Lebanese officials fear an increase in COVID-19 cases would overwhelm local hospitals, in a country already reeling from an economic crisis and mass anti-government protests.

Lebanon has been largely quiet in recent days, although food stores have remained open and there have been some vehicles in the streets.

Prime Minister Hassan Diab asked the security forces on Saturday to enforce stricter measures.

Diab said this would include patrols and checkpoints, calling on Lebanese to stay at home and go out only if "absolutely necessary".

Agencies via Xinhua