Event: All non-emergency Embassy personnel have departed Lebanon. Routine consular operations remain suspended. The Consular Section is staffed to provide limited emergency services to U.S. citizens on a case-by-case basis. U.S. citizens with emergencies may contact BeirutACS@state.gov.
The Lebanese Government confirmed 368 cases of COVID-19 and six related deaths in the country as of March 26, 2020. Additional informationcan be found at the Lebanese Government’s relevant website as well as from the WHO. Individuals in Lebanon who are feeling unwell are instructed to call 1214 or 76-592699 before reporting to hospitals.
Lebanon has implemented enhanced screening and quarantine measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Current measures restrict gatherings in places, such as dining and entertainment venues, and limit 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. The Lebanese government has also introduced a curfew from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut has tentatively extended its closure to commercial passenger flights through at least April 12. U.S. citizens who wish to leave Lebanon may be able to book outbound flights at that time. The U.S. Embassy is also evaluating the feasibility of providing repatriation assistance to U.S. citizens stranded in Lebanon. Determining factors include demand for assistance, availability of charter aircraft, and open flight routes. Seats would be offered to U.S. citizens first-come, first-served on a reimbursable basis. Please send an email to BeirutACS@state.gov by 10 p.m. Lebanon time Saturday, March 28, if you need help returning to your home in the United States. Citizens who have already contacted us need not do so again.
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 14, the Department of State authorized the departure from any diplomatic or consular post in the world of U.S. personnel and family members who have been medically determined to be at higher risk of a poor outcome if exposed to COVID-19, or who have requested departure based on a commensurate justification. On March 18, the Department of State authorized the U.S. Embassy in Beirut to go on “ordered departure” status, which reduces personnel to emergency staffing levels.
Actions to Take:
- Monitor local media and our Embassy website for updates
- Have departure plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance
- Check with your airlines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Follow the advice of the CDC that you can find at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- Monitor the Department of State’s COVID-19 website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/covid-19-information.html
- 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.
