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.
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).
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.
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).
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
- Any passenger showing any symptoms of COVID-19, or similar symptoms, is prohibited from boarding a plane to Lebanon.
- Travelers coming to Lebanon must fill the online health form required by the Lebanese Health Ministry, before departure or before check-in, through this link.
- Every passenger arriving in Lebanon must possess a health insurance policy valid for the duration of their stay. The insurance policy covers all costs of treatment for COVID-19 on Lebanese territory.
- Travelers must bring with them a hand sanitizer and enough masks to use at the airport and throughout the duration of the flight. (A mask must be changed every four hours). Exceptions for face masks: People with medical conditions, and children under 6.
- Passengers must comply with all laws, regulations, and travel requirements, including entry/exit rules, in the countries to and from which they travel.
- Passengers must adhere to the guidelines of the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health.
- Economy Class passengers are not permitted to keep hand luggage in the cabin and must register them and deliver them within their shipped bags at no additional cost, as long as the additional weight does not exceed 10 kg. Exceptions: Light handbags and electronic devices that fit under the seat.
- Business Class passengers are allowed to take permissible handbags into the cabin, provided the luggage compartment marks them on check-in.
We have a dedicated coronavirus section where you can find the latest news/updates about the pandemic in Lebanon, inform yourself with WHO-verified resources, and track the number of cases in Lebanon in real-time. Click here.
