The General Security Department announced that the border crossings with Syria in Masnaa and Abboudieh would open on Tuesday for three days as part of Lebanon’s efforts to secure the return of expatriates to the country.
Lebanon opened Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport for commercial flights on July 1 even by keeping air traffic at a 10 percent capacity.
The Health Ministry announced Friday that 34 new COVID-19 cases were recorded within the last 24 hours, raising the total number of infected persons in the country to 1,830.
It said 15 cases were locally transmitted while the rest were among those returning from abroad.
As part of their efforts to follow up the measures taken to ensure a safe return of travelers, Health Minister Hamad Hassan and Information Minister Manal Abdel Samad visited the airport on Friday.
“There’s organization. I do not think that management in other countries is better. This should encourage everyone to come to Lebanon, especially for being among the top 15 countries in managing the fight against the coronavirus,” Abdel Samad said.
Hassan said the PCR tests and the work of the medical staff aim to protect arriving travelers and residents alike, adding that out of 11,250 arrivals, only 19 have tested positive.
The Health Minister visited the Ashrafieh-based Hotel Dieu de France Hospital, where he commended the advanced level of healthcare, heaping special praise on the facility's efforts in receiving and treating COVID-19 patients.
Hassan maintained that the Ministry was keen on the reputation of all of Lebanon's hospitals, whether state-owned or private.
Last week, two COVD-19 cases were registered at the hospital.
