09 Dec 2021 | 12:12 AM UTC
Lebanon: Authorities plan to impose new entry measures for travelers from Dec. 15 to combat COVID-19 /update 61
Lebanon to impose new COVID-19-related international travel restrictions effective Dec. 15. Domestic measures remain in place.
Event
The government of Lebanon plans to impose new international travel restrictions from Dec. 15 as part of the nation's efforts to combat COVID-19 and its variants. Under the new directives, all persons traveling to Lebanon must obtain a health pass by registering on the Ministry of Public Health's (MOPH) web platform prior to departure. Effective Jan. 10, all travelers to the country will be required to make an up-front payment of 45,835 LBP for the MOPH PASS using a credit card via the same online platform. To access the MOPH PASS platform, click here.
Additionally, all travelers above the age of 12 must upload to the MOPH PASS platform a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 48 hours prior to arrival in Lebanon. The passenger will subsequently receive a quick response (QR) code which will be scanned by authorities at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) to permit entry. Moreover, all travelers, with the exception of children under the age of 12 and members of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), must take a PCR test upon arrival at BEY and isolate for 24 hours until the results are available. Persons whose PCR test results are positive will have to contact the COVID-19 hotline at 1787 to receive further instructions.
Individuals who have been fully vaccinated for over two weeks or who possess proof of having contracted and recovered from COVID-19 no more than 90 days before travel are exempt from the on-arrival testing requirement.
Domestic Measures
Unvaccinated individuals will be subject to a three-week nighttime curfew from Dec. 17 as part of the government's response to the recent emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. The curfew will run 19:00-06:00 nightly. Individuals who have received at least one dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine and those with a negative result from a PCR test taken in the previous 48 hours are exempt from the curfew. Additionally, vaccination against COVID-19 will become mandatory for all civil servants and employees in the military, security, education, health, public transport, and tourism sectors from Jan. 10; alternatively, these workers may take a PCR test twice per week at their own expense.
Authorities have extended the state of health emergency through at least Dec. 31. The directive grants the government broad powers to implement preventative measures, such as curfews and travel restrictions, to combat COVID-19. Individuals may be required to obtain permission from authorities on the government's IMPACT platform to conduct activities in crowded places, such as traveling to supermarkets or banks. To access the IMPACT platform, click here.
Current COVID-19-related measures in Lebanon generally do not restrict operating hours and the capacity of businesses and public institutions. COVID-19-related restrictions do, however, apply to transport. Taxis and private cars are limited to four people, including the driver, while buses may operate at 50 percent capacity.
International Travel Restrictions
Until the newly announced mandates enter into force on Dec. 15, the following pandemic-related international travel restrictions will remain in effect:
Most travelers to Lebanon must have a negative result from a PCR test taken no more than 96 hours before arrival. The negative test result must include a QR code unless the test result originates in Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the UK, the US, or an EU country.
Travelers to Lebanon aged 12 and older are subject to a PCR test upon arrival in the country. Individuals under the age of 12, those with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate indicating full vaccination at least two weeks before departure for Lebanon, those with documentation indicating contraction of and recovery from COVID-19 no more than 90 days before travel, and individuals who are returning to Lebanon within seven days of traveling outside of the country, are exempt from the pre-arrival test requirement.
Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.
Advice
Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements, including required in-country quarantine requirements, before travel. 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. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.
