Beauty queen got married despite wedding ban in the country

Beauty queen and actress Valerie Abou Chacra, recently married Lebanese businessman Ziyad Ammar in an open-space wedding in Bkerke. The government of Lebanon has imposed many bans in light of the global pandemic to control the spread of coronavirus. Despite a ban on weddings in the country the former beauty queen hosted a stylish and lavish wedding ceremony.

The wedding ceremony was followed by a wedding gala for family and friends, disregarding the nationwide lockdown. The country was taken by shock when Valerie’s pictures and videos from the wedding party went viral on the internet.

While many congratulated the newly married couple and complimented the fancy wedding, many others took to social media to criticize Valerie and her husband accusing them for being socially irresponsible by violating the ban imposed in the country.

During a televised interview, Health Minister Dr. Hamad Hassan confirmed that he had granted permission for seven wedding functions to be hosted by following strict social distancing and protective measures. “We have to adapt and live with the joys and sorrows, but with certain procedures. Part of the regulations was that the party is held outdoors, social distancing be respected and the number of invitees must be limited in accordance to the venue’s seating and accommodation,” he told a source and further added that in case of breach of procedures, the Interior Ministry would reconsider the exception.

Though seven weddings were exempted, there is no confirmation of the beauty queen’s wedding to be on that list. Post this occurrence, Interior Minister Brig. Gen. Mohammad Fahmi’s office released a statement confirming that social gatherings (including weddings) were strictly banned within the lockdown period and any permission granted would be withheld and strict measures to be taken against those violating the regulations, read the statement.