Passengers wait at the Beirut international airport. (Credit: AFP)
BEIRUT — The Ministry of Public Works and Transport announced Monday an amended version of a set of new measures that were first presented last week for passengers arriving at Beirut international airport. The measures come amid growing concerns over rising COVID-19 infection rates in the country and the appearance of the coronavirus’ Omicron variant in the world.
Here’s what we know:
• In a circular addressed to airlines, the ministry said that from Dec. 15 — rather than Jan. 1 as announced last week — all passengers arriving in Beirut must register on an electronic platform designed by the Health Ministry in order to obtain a health pass, which will be required to board any plane flying to Lebanon.
• Travelers over the age of 12 are asked to record on the platform the negative result of a PCR test carried out no more than 48 hours — rather than the 96 hours previously stipulated — before their arrival in Lebanon, in order to receive a QR code, which will be scanned upon arrival at the Beirut airport.
• Passengers who have been fully vaccinated for more than two weeks or who have contracted COVID-19 in the three months preceding their trip are however exempted from presenting a PCR test before their departure, but they must upload on the platform all the documentation evidencing vaccination or infection.
• All persons arriving in Lebanon, except children under 12 and members of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, must perform a PCR test on their arrival at the Beirut airport.
• Those passengers returning to Lebanon following a trip of less than one week’s duration will only be obliged to undergo a PCR test on arrival, but must provide evidence on the ministry’s platform of the duration of their trip.
• From Jan. 10, PRC tests on arrival at Beirut airport will no longer be offered free of charge. Passengers will be required to pay at $30 per test.
• From mid-December, passengers arriving in Beirut will also have to self-isolate for 24 hours, until they receive the negative result of their on-arrival PCR test. If the test result is positive, passengers should notify the Ministry of Health by calling 1787, if the ministry team does not first contact them directly.
• Flight attendants and pilots who arrive in Lebanon for a period not exceeding 48 hours do not have to undergo a PCR test on arrival, provided they present the necessary documents on the ministry’s platform and self-isolate throughout their stay.