In order for the Lebanese abroad to stay safely quarantined after returning to Lebanon, the Lebanese government has provided 680 hotel rooms for them to stay in.
The initiative comes after Beirut-Rafik Al Hariri International Airport opened its doors on Sunday, April 5th, for the Lebanese expats and those stranded abroad due to the pandemic to return home. The flights that arrived on Sunday are the first of many aimed to evacuate them.
The hotel rooms are available until the PCR examination for coronavirus (COVID-19) is out. Once they test negative, they are strictly advised to stay quarantined at home for 14 days.
Minister of Public Health Hamad Hassan announced in a press conference that the results of the PCR examination for the 78 passengers boarding from Riyadh were negative for coronavirus (COVID-19).
According to NNA, the results of the examination for the passengers of the plane that came from Abu Dhabi will be issued later on Sunday.
Hamad has also called on every arrival who wishes to leave the hotel to adhere to the quarantine duration of 14 days even if the result of the examination turned out negative.
The minister of public health clarified that the passengers boarding the evacuation flights are divided into four categories and will each be walking with a colored bracelet. The bracelet indicates the place where every passenger will sit on the plane as well as their condition.
“After conducting a PCR examination and having all medical and logistical information needed,” Hamad explained, “travelers will go directly to the designated hotels with direct follow-up from the Ministry of Public Health medical teams.”
Within six hours, the results of the PCR will be issued. Upon the results, each passenger’s fate will be determined accordingly. “Whoever wishes to return home will be accompanied by security forces and will be followed up by local authorities.”
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