Health Alert: U.S. Embassy Beirut, Lebanon, May 13, 2020
Location: Lebanon
Event: The Government of Lebanon reinstituted strict lockdown measures in response to an increase in incidence of COVID-19. The Government confirmed 870 cases of COVID-19 and 26 related deaths in the country as of May 12, 2020.
Starting at 7 p.m. May 13, all businesses and public spaces that had recently been authorized to reopen will be closed until 5:00 a.m. Monday May 18. Hospitals and pharmacies will be permitted to remain open. Grocery stores will also be allowed to operate, but home delivery service is suspended. Except for essential commercial deliveries of food, fuel, medical supplies, and other items, vehicle traffic will be prohibited overnight between 6:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. and all day Sunday. Public observance of religious services also will be suspended during this period.
Rafic Hariri International Airport will remain closed for regular commercial flights until at least June 8.
The Government of Lebanon has implemented enhanced screening and quarantine measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Please also see the latest daily Lebanese government publication which consolidates every ministry’s decisions, actions and responses to address the crisis.
Routine consular services at U.S. Embassy Beirut remain suspended until further notice. The Embassy continues to provide emergency services for U.S. citizens. Please visit our website for additional information, or contact BeirutACS@state.gov.
On March 18, the Department of State authorized the U.S. Embassy in Beirut to go on “ordered departure” status, which reduced Embassy staffing to emergency levels.
Actions to Take:
Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States
- Have travel documents up to date and easily accessible
- Review the complete Travel Advisory for Lebanon
- Read what the U.S. Government Can & Can’t Do in a Crisis
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy Beirut, Lebanon
Awkar – Facing the Municipality, Main Street
Beirut, Lebanon
+961-4-542600 or +961-4-543600
BeirutACS@state.gov
https://lb.usembassy.gov/ - U.S. Department of State – Consular Affairs
+1-888-407-4747 or +1-202-501-4444
For further detailed information regarding travel and security in Lebanon:
- Visit the State Department’s travel website Travel.State.Gov to review the Lebanon Travel Advisory, Country-Specific Information for Lebanon, and the Worldwide Caution.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)to receive the latest security updates and make it easier for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to contact you in an emergency.
- Follow the U.S. Embassy in Beirut on Twitter and Facebook