COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Lebanon (16 July Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are allowed to enter the country.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes with exceptions

• Foreigners are allowed to enter the country.

• Authorities have prohibited the entry of travellers from India through the Beirut International Airport and land borders unless they have been in a third country for a period of at least 14 days.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• Yes

• Transit through Lebanon is allowed.

• There are no testing or additional COVID-19 related procedures required for transiting. Transiting passengers with a short transit time are allowed to proceed directly to their gate, while passengers with a longer transit time will need to wait at a designated gate.

Is a test required on arrival?

• Yes with exceptions

• All passengers arriving in Lebanon will have a COVID-19 PCR test at their own expense upon arrival at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport. Travellers are required to quarantine for 72 hours until the results of their airport test are received.

• Exemptions may apply to children under 12 years of age and members of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

• Travellers arriving from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, European countries (including the UK), Asian countries, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco or Tunisia. - passengers who have received a second dose of COVID-19 vaccine with a minimum of 2 weeks before their departure or passengers who have an official document confirming that they were infected and cured of COVID-19 within 90 days before their departure date must have a PCR test performed upon their arrival at BRHIA.

Test certificate accepted?

• Yes

• Test certificates issued in English or Arabic by approved laboratories are accepted.

Test certificate required?

• Yes, with exceptions

• Passengers must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued within 96 hours prior to arrival in Lebanon. The certificate must be issued by one of the certified laboratories. Exceptions may apply for the following:

• Children under 12 years of age;

• Passengers, who have received complete doses of a COVID-19 vaccine at least 15 days prior to the departure to Lebanon, will be exempted from the requirement for a negative PCR test certificate. The exemption from testing requirements applies to passengers who have received their COVID-19 vaccine in Lebanon or in one of the following regions: United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, European countries (including the UK), Asian countries, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco or Tunisia.

• Travellers returning to Lebanon after a trip of less than one-week duration will be exempted from the requirement to provide the pre-boarding COVID-19 test certificate.

• Passengers arriving from Brazil or the United Kingdom who have received a second dose of COVID-19 vaccine with a minimum of 2 weeks before their departure or passengers who have an official document confirming that they were infected and cured of COVID-19 within 90 days before their departure date are exempted from performing a pre-departure PCR test in the United Kingdom and Brazil.

• All departing passengers are required to submit a negative COVID-19 test report prior to departure.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes with exceptions

• Travellers must quarantine for 72 hours at their place of residence or accommodation after arrival in Lebanon and must undergo an additional PCR test at the end of their quarantine period. Exemptions may apply to the following:

• Diplomats and their families, officials, official delegations, officers, members of the UNIFIL;

• Passengers with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, provided that they undertake a COVID-19 test on arrival;

• Passengers with a medical certificate for a positive COVID-19 test result issued at least 15 days before arrival, provided they present a current negative test certificate for a COVID-19 PCR test;

• Passengers with an IgG positive test proving the presence of antibodies in blood;

• Passengers with a medical report proving special needs.

• Arriving passengers from the UK, Brazil, UAE, India, Malawi, Ethiopia, Zambia, Liberia, Kenya, Gambia and Sierra Leone to Lebanon (except those transiting through these countries) wishing to come to Lebanon must have a hotel booking on arrival for 4 days/3 nights at their own expense where they must complete 4 days of quarantine before taking a PCR test in one of the following hotels:

• Mayflower Beirut-Hamra

• Royal Tulip Hotel-Achrafieh

• Alife Apart Hotel-Sodeco

• Lancaster Tamar Hotel, Hadat

• Gefina Rotana, Beirut

• Raouche Arjaan by Rotana

• Riviera Hotel, Beirut

  Exemptions from hotel quarantine are as follows

  • Travellers who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 2 weeks before departure to Lebanon, or

  • Travellers who have had and recovered from COVID-19 within 90 days prior to travel, or

  • Travellers who have travelled out of Lebanon and returned within one week.

• Passengers not having a hotel booking in one of the hotels mentioned above are not allowed to board the plane departing to Lebanon. If a traveller arrives with no booking, the air carrier will be responsible for that traveller's expenses.

• Based on the above restrictions, arriving travellers will be subject to quarantine between 72 hours to 5 days.

Insurance required?

• Yes, with exceptions

• All non-Lebanese travellers must provide proof of health insurance valid for the entire duration of their stay. A health policy can be purchased at the insurance counters at Rafik Hariri International Airport upon arrival in Beirut. Proof of insurance is not required for military personnel, diplomats, members of international organizations, UNIFIL, and members of the Lebanese National Social Security Fund or staff cooperative.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• All inbound passengers, except children under 12 years, are required to complete the airport tracking registration form.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• All inbound travellers must download and activate the “Covid Leb Track” mobile application on arrival in Lebanon and present the application to the authorities at Beirut International Airport at the time of the PCR test.

• Travellers are also advised to use the Ma3an COVID-19 tracing app. The app is available for both iOS and Android.

Is a vaccination required?

• No

• Vaccination is not required for entry into Lebanon.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport is open. Commercial flights are operating to and from Lebanon.

• Authorities have suspended the entry of travellers from India and Brazil until further notice.

Border restrictions

• Significant

• All land and maritime borders remain closed until further notice.

• All departing passengers are required to submit a negative COVID-19 test report prior to departure.

Curfew restrictions

• Moderate

• At present, a daily curfew from 21:30 to 5:00 hours (local time) is in place.

• The IMPACT platform is required to request permission to visit certain commercial establishments, including supermarkets, banks, malls, and large stores. The Lebanese Government has set out limited operating hours for each of these sectors. Requests can be submitted via text message at this link.

Social restrictions

• Moderate

• Public institutions and offices are allowed to operate at reduced capacity.

• Public gatherings are prohibited. Social and religious ceremonies are banned.

• People 65 years of age or older are advised to stay home and not go out except for an emergency purpose.

• Customers must obtain permission through the IMPACT platform to enter supermarkets, places of worship, and other crowded places.

Internal travel restrictions

• Moderate

• Public transportation is allowed to operate with limited capacity.

• Taxi services are allowed to operate with a maximum of four passengers including the driver.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• Malls and stores are open.

• Travel agencies, car dealerships, mechanic shops, car washes, and flower shops are allowed to reopen.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Hotels and other accommodations are open.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants with outdoor spaces are allowed to operate until 00:30 (local time).

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes

• Bars and cafes are permitted to reopen services.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Places of worship are open with a limited capacity.

Personal care service open?

• Yes

• Gyms are allowed to reopen their service.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Masks are mandatory outside the home and in vehicles.

• Lebanon introduced a fine for those without masks in public places.

Others

• Banking services are operating at a reduced capacity.

• On-site construction can be resumed. However, offices at engineering companies must remain closed until further notice.

• Schools are allowed to reopen.

• Violations of the country's social distancing and safety guidelines are punishable by fines.
  Advice For Travellers
  The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing and maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing and maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.