Location: Lebanon
Event: The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health confirmed 438 cases of COVID-19 and 10 related deaths in the country as of March 29, 2020.
The government of Lebanon has implemented enhanced screening and quarantine measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Visit the relevant government website for additional information on these measures. Among these measures are restrictions on gatherings in places such as dining and entertainment venues, and limits on the number of public sector employees reporting to their workplaces. Private businesses – including hotels, restaurants, apartment buildings, or supermarkets – have closed, restricted access, or mandated temperature checks, limiting access to goods and services. Individuals in Lebanon who are feeling unwell are advised to call 1214 or 76-592699 before going to a hospital.
Rafic Hariri International airport has been closed to regularly-scheduled commercial flights since March 19. It is tentatively scheduled to reopen no earlier than April 12.
Effective March 16, U.S. Embassy Beirut has suspended routine consular services. For emergency American Citizens Services, including emergency passports, please visit our website for additional information, or contact BeirutACS@state.gov.
The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 Global COVID-19 Outbreak Notice and a Level 3 Warning for COVID-19 in Europe advising travelers to avoid non-essential travel to Europe.
On March 18, the Department of State authorized the U.S. Embassy in Beirut to go on “ordered departure” status, which means the Embassy will reduce personnel to emergency staffing 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
