22 Feb 2021 | 07:54 PM UTC
Lebanon: Health officials further ease COVID-19-related restrictions from Feb. 22 /update 45
Lebanon further eases COVID-19 restrictions from Feb. 22. Individuals still required to apply for authorization to leave their residences.
Event
Authorities in Lebanon further eased COVID-19 restrictions from Feb. 22 as part of the second phase of a gradual lifting of the country’s nationwide lockdown; the measures are being eased in four two-week phases. Under the latest directives, taxis are permitted to operate but may carry no more than three persons, including the driver. Travel agencies, car dealerships, mechanic shops, car washes, and flower shops are permitted to reopen. On-site construction work may also resume; however, offices at engineering companies must remain closed until further notice. Factories and banks may increase their capacity to between 40 and 60 percent of their staff. Individuals who wish to leave their residences are still required to apply for authorization. Supermarkets and grocery stores were previously allowed to reopen during the first phase, Feb. 8.
Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) remains operational. All passengers arriving at BEY must undergo a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Travelers arriving from Addis Ababa, Cairo, Adana, Istanbul, and Baghdad are required to quarantine in hotels for one week at their own expense; they must also take a COVID-19 test upon arrival in Lebanon and a second test six days later.
Land and maritime borders remain closed to travelers who do not hold a valid transit visa. The number of travelers permitted to cross through the Masnaa and Aboudieh land border crossings is reduced to 100 each, at a rate of twice a week. Nonresidents traveling to Lebanon are required to have a valid health insurance policy for the duration of their stays.
Lebanon’s state of medical emergency has been extended until March 31. The state of emergency grants the government broad powers to implement preventative measures such as curfews and travel restrictions to combat COVID-19. Facemasks are mandatory in public. Public transportation has resumed operating nationwide, albeit with social distancing measures and passenger limits in place. Violations of the country's social distancing and safety guidelines are punishable by fines.
Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.
