Everything You Need To Know About Traveling To Lebanon Now
In light of the approaching reopening date of Beirut-Rafik Hariri International Airport, Middle East Airlines (MEA) released guidelines and conditions for travelers arriving in Beirut starting July 1st.
The airline company said that Lebanese, Arab, and foreign nationals may enter Lebanon in accordance with the regular conditions enforced by the Lebanese General Security before the airport's closure.
Additionally, Palestinians who carry a refugee travel document issued by the Lebanese authorities may enter the country through the airport, and so can foreign workers ( house helpers ) accompanied by their sponsors.
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Passengers traveling to Lebanon will be categorized under two groups, depending on the status of their country of departure regarding PCR tests, each with their own entry conditions, MEA announced.
A. Countries (cities) wherein pre-departure PCR tests are conducted
Middle East: Jordan (Amman) - Iraq (Baghdad, Basra, Najaf) - Egypt (Cairo) - Iraqi Kurdistan (Erbil).
Arabian Gulf: UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai) - Saudi Arabia (Dammam, Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh).
Europe: Greece (Athens) - Belgium (Brussels) - Germany (Frankfurt) - Switzerland (Geneva) - Cyprus (Larnaca) - UK (London) - France (Paris) - Turkey (Istanbul).
Africa: Ghana (Accra) - Nigeria (Lagos).
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Conditions for traveling to Lebanon
Passengers must conduct a PCR test in the laboratories licensed by their local authorities, 96 hours (4 days) prior to the date of departure, at the most.
Passengers must present the results of their tests during counter check-in.
People who test positive will not be allowed to board flights to Lebanon, and all arrivals will be subject to a second test at the expense of the airline company, upon arrival in Beirut.
Each passenger will be informed of their test results 24 hours after taking the test in Beirut.
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Exceptions
Passengers departing from, and returning to, Lebanon within 1 week will be exempted from the PCR examination in the country of departure. (For example: Leaving on Friday, July 17th, returning on Friday, July 24th).
Transit travelers are allowed to continue their trips aboard the airline's planes from countries where the PCR test is approved without having to undergo this examination before departure from Beirut.
B. Countries (cities) wherein pre-departure PCR tests are not conducted
Arabian Gulf: Kuwait (Kuwait City) - Qatar (Doha).
Europe: Denmark (Copenhagen) - Armenia (Yerevan) - Italy (Milan, Rome).
Africa: Ivory Coast (Abidjan).
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Conditions for traveling to Lebanon
Passengers will be subject to a PCR examination upon their arrival at Rafik Hariri International Airport at the expense of the airline company.
Passengers must take a second PCR test at their own expense after 72 hours, in one of the laboratories accredited by the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health.
In the event that the result of the examination is positive for a passenger, they must abide by the Health Ministry's instructions until recovery, in accordance with the agreed-upon medical protocol.
Important notes for all passengers flying to Lebanon