16 Sep 2021 | 09:18 PM UTC
Libya: Air and land borders with Tunisia to reopen beginning Sept. 17 /update 6
Libya announces plans to reopen air and land borders with Tunisia beginning Sept. 17. Some COVID-19-related restrictions remain in place.
Event
Libyan authorities have announced that they will reopen the country's air and land borders with Tunisia effective Sept. 17. Despite this easing of border measures, COVID-19-related restrictions, including quarantine requirements for travelers, remain in effect. Arrivals are required to quarantine for 14 days at designated sites upon arrival in Libya. Additionally, authorities administer enhanced temperature screenings to travelers at air, land, and sea ports of entry.
Additionally, officials in western Libya will likely maintain a variety of COVID-19-related controls in the region, including in Tripoli. Authorities require a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to travel to enter the region.
At times, the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU) has required that all public and government agencies reduce attendance at work to 25 percent and operate on a reduced schedule of 09:00-13:00. Authorities have also regularly banned the use of mass public transit as well as all public gatherings, including funerals. While these restrictive controls do not appear to be in place, further measures could be imposed depending on disease activity in the coming days and weeks.
Land, air, and sea borders in eastern Libya - the area under the control of Libyan National Army (LNA) leader Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar - remain open. Travelers to Benghazi and other areas in eastern Libya under LNA control must provide a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before travel.
Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks. In many areas of the country, compliance with and enforcement of restrictions is lax.
Advice
Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.
