The first positive case of the new COVID-19 strain has been detected in Lebanon after the country decided against the recommendations of health experts to close the Beirut-Rafic Hariri International airport to flights from the United Kingdom.
According to Lebanon’s Health Minister Hamad Hassan, the positive case came aboard the Middle East Airlines ME 202 flight coming from London on December 21st.
Hassan has urged travelers from the United Kingdom, especially those who were on that flight, and their families, to be alert and adhere to preventive guidelines. “The Ministry of Health is following up on the situation,” he said.
Even though Lebanon decided to allow flights to and from the UK, it announced that passengers of these flights must undergo PCR testing upon arrival in the airport and another within 72 from arriving.
However, based on people’s experiences after arriving from London, certainly not enough precautionary measures were being respected aboard flights to Beirut nor in the airport.
Here are some relevant testimonies:
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