Lebanon Faces Challenge of Reopening Airport, Containing COVID-19

Arab World

June 29th, 6:01am

Beirut - Caroline Akoum

Lebanon will reopen its international airport on July 1. AFP file photo

Lebanon is facing a new challenge with the reopening of Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport for commercial flights on July 1 even by keeping air traffic at a 10 percent capacity. “Beirut’s airport opened last Wednesday for private flights, while commercial flights will resume Wednesday with a 10 percent capacity or around 20 flights per day with an expected 2,000 passengers,” Fadi al-Hassan, the facility’s manager, told Asharq Al-Awsat. He did not expect an increase in the price of tickets contrary to the past phase when expatriates were evacuated from the country and planes returned half empty. He predicted that Lebanon’s relatively limited cases of the COVID-19 disease will boost its attractiveness as a tourist destination this summer, particularly for Arabs and Lebanese expatriates. Allowing flights to land in its international airport for the first time in more than three months means that Lebanon could face a hike in coronavirus cases. Dr. Abdul Rahman Bizri, an infectious disease specialist and member of the emergency committee on coronavirus, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the opening of the airport is essential because several sectors are hinging on the return of tourists to support the dire economic situation. In addition to the mandatory guidelines set by the airport to restrict the spread of the virus, concerned authorities expect to have individual and social responsibility to avoid a second wave of the pandemic. “There is an immense responsibility on individuals to respect preventive measures to stop the country from entering a difficult phase,” he said, adding that the medical team tasked with fighting the outbreak is more capable than ever to deal with the pandemic. PCR tests have become more available, said Bizri. The Lebanese Health Ministry announced Sunday 21 new coronavirus infections, which raises the total number of confirmed cases to 1,740. With an aim to contain the spread of the virus among passengers, Middle East Airlines (MEA) released guidelines and conditions for travelers arriving in Beirut starting July 1. Passengers will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival and asked to go into home quarantine if testing positive. Social distancing signs were placed on the airport’s floor. Also, any passenger showing coronavirus symptoms is prohibited from boarding a plane to Lebanon. Economy class passengers are not permitted to keep carry-ons in the cabin, while business passengers are allowed to do so, provided the luggage compartment marks them on check-in.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2360316/lebanon-faces-challenge-reopening-airport-containing-covid-19