Lebanon bans entry of passengers from virus-hit states

BEIRUT

Lebanon on Friday announced suspending transport for all individuals coming from countries hit by coronavirus outbreak.

Public Works and Transport Minister Michel Najjar issued a decision to suspend air, land and sea transport for all passengers arriving from China, South Korea, Iran, and Italy.

Najjar noted that the Lebanese citizens and foreigners residing in Lebanon are not included in the decision.

The list will include more countries, he added, noting that these countries to be determined in the upcoming future.

Najjar said the decision was taken upon a recommendation of the country's Health Ministry.

In a related development, local media reported that 55 Lebanese students have arrived from Iran through Damascus airport in Syria.

The students have undergone tests at the border crossing point and tested negative for coronavirus.

On Thursday, the Health Ministry reported the third coronavirus case in the country, all of whom recently came from Iran.

First detected in China last December, the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 has now spread to more than 45 countries worldwide, including the U.S., U.K., Singapore, France, Russia, Spain and India.

* Writing by Mahmoud Barakat in Ankara.