Lebanon recently registered a significant improvement in its epidemiological situation and has been gradually reopening its sectors to welcome the tourism season.
If you’re thinking about traveling to Lebanon now, there are still some health measures in place to ensure public safety. Below is everything you should know before leaving for Beirut.
Traveling to Lebanon: PCR Testing & Quarantine
According to the latest official information, every passenger arriving in Lebanon as a final destination, except for children under 12, must hold a negative PCR test issued from an authorized laboratory back in their country of departure.
The test result, whose date must be within 96 hours of the time of arrival in Lebanon, must be presented at check-in, before boarding their flight.
Passengers who do not hold a negative PCR test will not be allowed to board a plane to Lebanon.
Upon arrival at Beirut-Rafik Hariri International Airport, all passengers are required to undergo PCR testing, with the exception of children under the age of 12 and UNIFIL personnel.
Passengers who leave Lebanon and return within a period of 1 week, i.e. departed and came back on two days within the same week, are exempt from the PCR testing requirement before departure. Nonetheless, a PCR test upon arrival is still mandatory.
It is also mandatory for passengers to download and activate the “Covid Leb Track” application, to be shown to airport security in Beirut.
After entering Lebanon, after having confirmed the address they intend to stay at, passengers are required to adhere to a 72-hour period of self-quarantine.
The following are exempt from the home quarantine requirement:
- Diplomats and their families
- UNIFIL personnel
- Officials and official delegations,
- Officers
- Passengers who hold proof of a previous coronavirus (COVID-19) infection dating more than 15 days from the arrival date, in addition to a new negative PCR test.
- Passengers who hold a positive IgG test, showing that the percentage of antibodies in the blood is in line with the standard level required.
- Passengers who hold a medical report proving that they have completed vaccination (2 doses) against COVID-19. Vaccinated individuals are still required to receive a PCR test upon arrival in Beirut.
For Vaccinated Passengers
Passengers who have completed vaccination against COVID-19 (2 doses) at least 15 days before their date of departure to Lebanon are exempt from undergoing a PCR test before departure, provided that they were vaccinated in Lebanon or one of the following countries:
- United States
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Egypt
- Algeria
- Morocco
- Tunisia
- European countries
- Asian countries
Vaccinated passengers are still required to receive a PCR test at Beirut Airport.
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.