Updated information about new curfew hours and the current danger to individuals from the ongoing fire in Beirut port ('Summary' and 'Coronavirus' pages)

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) advice against all but essential international travel continues to apply for Lebanon. Additionally, if you’re already in Lebanon you should be aware of our pre-existing advice within the country, unrelated to COVID-19:

The FCDO advise against all travel to:

Palestinian refugee camps

within 5km of the border with Syria

the Hermel Area, including the towns of Arsal, Ras Baalbek, Qaa, Laboué and Nahlé

The FCDO advise against all but essential travel to:

southern suburbs of Beirut defined as: south of the sports stadium and the Adnan Al Hakim road which heads west from the stadium to the Beirut-Saida (Sidon) road - down to the airport. Including the neighbourhoods of Bir Hassan, Ghobeiry, Chuya, Haret Hraik, Burj Al Brajne, Mraije, Er Rouais and Laylake. But excluding the main airport highway, the Beirut-Saida road and west of there to the coast, and the area between the airport highway and the coast south of Abbas El Mousawi Road, including the Golf Club of Lebanon

all other areas of Akkar district between 5km from the Syrian border and the Aabdeh, Halba and Qoubaiyat highway

the city of Tripoli

the town of Brital, and the area around it up to 5km from the Syrian border, and south of Nahlé town, but excluding Baalbek town

the towns of Rachaiya, Hasbaiya, and Khiam in the Beqaa Valley, and the area between these towns up to 5 km from the Syrian border

within 500m of the Ain el Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in Saida

south of the Litani River except the main Naqoura-Tyre-Saida-Beirut highway and areas to the west of it.

Travel to Lebanon is subject to entry restrictions Visitors to Lebanon will be subject to virus tests and self-isolation measures. See Entry requirements for more information before you plan to travel. Return travel to the UK is subject to self-isolation requirements If you’re returning to the UK, you will need to: provide your journey and contact details

self-isolate for 14 days Check the guidance on entering or returning to the UK.

On 4 August 2020 a large explosion occurred in the port area of Beirut causing widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure in the city and surrounding areas. The government has declared Beirut a disaster area and has declared a state of emergency until 18 September 2020. Lebanese officials have linked the explosion to a fire in a warehouse storing ammonium nitrate and are reporting large numbers of injured and missing persons.

Damage in areas close to the port remains an ongoing hazard and could pose a risk to your personal safety. If you are in the area, you should exercise caution, stay away from collapsed buildings, monitor the local news and follow the advice of the local authorities.

On 10 September a large fire broke out in the port area of Beirut and is ongoing. Initial reports indicate that the fire is in a tyre warehouse. Local security services have cordoned off the area. Potentially harmful fumes have been seen across Beirut. Given the respiratory risk you should consider staying inside whilst the fire is ongoing.

There is significant disruption to services across the city. The airport remains operational, with direct and indirect commercial flights available.

The British Embassy in Beirut has been informed by the Lebanese authorities that, exceptionally given the current situation, British nationals travelling to the UK will be permitted to depart Lebanon on an expired passport, without requiring an emergency travel document. Before travelling you should confirm with your airline that they will accept this. If you are travelling to, or transiting, another country then you will need to ensure that your passport will also be accepted there.

On the evening of 6 August anti-government protests broke out around the Lebanese parliament and further large protests took place in Beirut on 8 August, resulting in clashes between security forces and protestors. There is an increased risk of protests and demonstrations. If you’re in Beirut, you should avoid protests, remain vigilant and follow the advice of the local authorities.

If you’re in Beirut and need urgent consular assistance, call +961 (0)1 960800. If you’re in the UK and worried about a British national in Beirut, call the FCDO in London on 020 7008 5000. Additionally, the Lebanese Ministry of Health have set up a hotline for missing persons, +961 1 832700.

Check our advice on foreign travel during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and sign up for email alerts for this travel advice.

If you’re planning travel to Lebanon, find out what you need to know about coronavirus there in the Coronavirus section.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO ’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.

Protests against the political and economic situation in Lebanon, which began in October 2019, are continuing. The protests have centred on Beirut and Tripoli, but have occurred at various locations nationwide, including in the Beqaa Valley and Saida, often with little notice. Violent confrontations between protesters, security forces and supporters of political groups have occurred across the country, often resulting in injuries to protestors and security forces.

As a result of protests, major roads (including to and from Beirut airport) have become blocked, banks have closed, and there is a risk that supplies (including medical) may become increasingly scarce. See Political situation

Crime, including reports of sexual harassment in public spaces, has increased as a result of the economic decline in Lebanon. This includes in Beirut. See Safety and security.

A conflict with Israel could spark with little warning and lead to a rapid escalation in violence. There have been exchanges between Hizballah and the Israeli Defence Force across the Blue Line in the South of Lebanon. This has included cross-border shelling. The most recent such incident took place on 27 July 2020 and there remains a risk of a further escalation. See Security situation

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Lebanon. You should be vigilant at all times, avoid crowds and crowded places and follow the advice of the Lebanese authorities. Previous attacks have targeted the security forces, as well as locations where Western visitors may congregate. On 3 June 2019, a suspected terrorist killed two Lebanese army soldiers and one Lebanese policeman in Tripoli. See Terrorism

There’s a heightened risk of terrorism against aviation. Additional security measures have been in place on flights departing from Lebanon to the UK since March 2017. You should co-operate fully with security officials.

Groups within Lebanon, including Hizballah, are proscribed under the Terrorism Act 2000 and the Terrorist Asset-Freezing Act 2010. Offences committed under the act – including funding and supporting proscribed organisations – may be liable to prosecution in the UK.

There are unexploded ordnance and land mines in many places. You should avoid travelling away from established paths, especially when hiking. This is particularly a concern in southern Lebanon. See Local travel

You can contact the emergency services by calling 112.

If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission. Consular support is severely limited in parts of Lebanon where we advise against all travel and limited where we advise against all but essential travel.

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.