COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon

On 21 February 2020, Lebanon confirmed its first case of COVID-19: a 45-year-old woman traveling back from pilgrimage in Qom, Iran tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and was transferred to a hospital in Beirut.[8]

On 26 February, a second woman, who returned from Iran on the same Mahan Air flight as the first patient, also tested positive.[9][10]

On 27 February, a 77-year-old Iranian man, who arrived from Iran on 24 February, tested positive and was admitted to Rafik Hariri University Hospital in Beirut.[11][12]

On 28 February, a Syrian woman tested positive and was admitted to Rafik Hariri University Hospital in Beirut.[13]

On 29 February, the total reached 7 confirmed cases.[14]

On 1 March, the Ministry of Health announced 3 new cases, which had been in self-isolation following their arrival to Lebanon from Iran days before, bringing the total to 13 cases.[15]

On 4 March, total confirmed cases reach 15.[16]

On 10 March, the first coronavirus-related death is recorded.[17]

On 11 March, Rafik Hariri University Hospital announced the second death due to the virus in Lebanon to a 55-year-old man.[18] There were also 9 new cases. The first fully recovered patient was also announced.[19]

On 12 March, the third death was reported for a 79-year-old man. He was infected from the first deceased patient at a hospital in Byblos.[20]

On 13 March, total number reaches 78 in Lebanon, which includes an employee at the Ministry of Public Health.[21][22]

On 14 March, 15 new coronavirus cases are announced in Lebanon, bringing the total of 93.[23]

On 15 March, 6 new cases are announced, total at 99.[24] Lebanon declared a state of medical emergency.[25] The government announced the closure of Beirut Airport, seaports and land entrances for 2 weeks, starting from March 18.[26]

On 21 March, Prime Minister Hassan Diab in a televised speech urged people in Lebanon to implement "self-curfew," adding that the lockdown measures will be enforced more strictly by the security forces.[27]

On 26 March, Lebanon imposed a partial curfew from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. to slow the spread of the virus. 35 new cases were also announced, bringing the total number of infected to 368.[28]

On 30 March, there were 446 confirmed cases and 11 deaths.[29]

On 2 April, Philippine ambassador to Lebanon, Bernardita Catalla, died of COVID-19 in Beirut at the age of 62. She was the first Filipino diplomat to succumb to the disease.[30] Human Rights Watch released a report saying that at least 21 Lebanese municipalities have introduced discriminatory restrictions on Syrian refugees that do not apply to Lebanese residents as part of their efforts to combat COVID-19, undermining the country's public health response.[31]

On 4 April, the Minister Of Health department announced there were 520 total cases of COVID-19.

On 9 April, the Lebanese Cabinet extended the national lockdown, which started on 15 March and was extended on 26 March, for an additional 2 weeks until 26 April.[32]

On 22 April, a Palestinian from Syria became the first case reported in a refugee camp, located in the Wavel refugee camp in Bekaa. The total number of cases was 682, with 22 deaths.[33][34]

On 5 May, the national lockdown was extended by the government for an additional 2 weeks until 24 May. The total number of cases was 741, with 25 deaths as of 5 May.[35]

On 7 May, 25 Lebanese citizens who boarded an inbound flight from Nigeria tested positive.[36]

On 13 May, a full lockdown went into effect until 18 May due to a large increase in positive cases. Over 100 new cases in the previous 4 days were announced, bring the total number of infected to 870, with 26 deaths.[37][38]

On 21 May, Lebanon's Health Ministry reported 63 new cases of the coronavirus, the largest single-day increase since the outbreak of the pandemic. Many of the new cases were the result of Lebanese expatriates returning home, Information Minister Manal Abdel Samad said.[39]

On 28 February, the Minister of Education Tarek al-Majzoub announced the closure of all educational institutions starting on 29 February until 8 March.[40] The decision was seen as unnecessarily strict by some universities including the American University of Beirut, the Lebanese American University, and the Univeristé Saint-Joseph who called for evidence-based decision-making to avoid unnecessary panic. After initially announcing that it would stay open in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, and ignoring the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education's request that it shut down, in early March 2020 the university announced that it would close down.[41][42] The universities did ultimately abide by the decision and close after discussions with the Minister of Education.[43] The American University of Beirut has consequently formed an expert committee for independent advising on the pandemic.[44]

On 6 March, the Minister of Health Hamad Hassan declared that "Lebanon is no longer in Coronavirus containment stage" following the entry of several new cases to Lebanon coming from countries previously classified as not infected and urged the population to take preventive measures such as avoiding public venues, like resorts and theaters.[45] Following this statement, the closure of schools, universities, and nurseries was extended to March 14.[46]

In reaction to the pandemic, several religious institutions in Lebanon decided to act proactively changing traditional ceremony methods to limit the spread of the virus. Churches and Mosques have been cleaned and disinfected, and practices have been adjusted. Within Christian communities, churches have emptied fonts of Holy water, and communion is carried out by handing the Eucharist instead of placing directly in the mouth. Similarly, within Muslim communities, it was recommended that people use their own prayer rugs and do ritual cleaning at home. Instructions by both religious parties recommend greetings without hand-shaking nor kissing.[47]

Churches and Mosques were reopened on 10 May at reduced capacity. The number of worshipers is not allowed to exceed 30% of the total capacity, and sanitary conditions and preventive measures must be followed. Churches and Mosques were closed since 15 March to prevent the spread of the virus.[48][49]

On 21 January, weeks before the first case in Lebanon was confirmed, the Lebanese Football Association announced that they would suspend operations due to financial reasons; this suspension caused all remaining games of the 2019–20 Lebanese Premier League season to be cancelled.[50]

On 6 March, gyms, cinemas, theaters, and nightclubs were ordered to close their doors.[51][52]

On 11 March, all restaurants in Lebanon closed.[53]

On 12 March, most major malls announced their closure until further notice.[54]

On 4 May, restaurants and barbers were allowed to reopen, although at reduced capacity.[35][55]

On 9 March, Lebanese Parliament closed down.[56] All people were instructed by the government to stay home and the army was asked to interfere by order from Lebanese president and prime minister.

On 12 March, the government announced that internet service through the public provider Ogero would be boosted through the end of April, to encourage users to stay home.[57] Other private internet companies and phone line companies followed suit with similar discounts/boosts for their customers.