The spread of the Coronavirus, aka COVID-19, has had the country on lockdown since the beginning of March. Social distancing, staying at home, businesses, and schools closing their doors to employees and students. Even license plate-based driving restrictions were put in place.

Fortunately, it looks like we’re nearing the final stages of the COVID-19 pandemic as a plan to re-open the country was announced yesterday and it consists of five stages:

Who will reopen and when?

Stage 1 starting 27/04/2020:
Delivery services, Sweets Shops, Hotels, Small Businesses, Taxis, EDL (Electricite du Liban), Water industries, Service Providers, and Kadisha Electricity Company.

Stage 2 starting 04/05/2020:
Hair Salons, Car Mechanics, Generator and Plastic Manufacturing, Outdoor Sports, Playgrounds, and Restaurants/Cafes up to 30% capacity.

Stage 3 starting 11/05/2020:
Car Dealers, Kindergarten (below 3 years), Casino du Liban, and Gambling institutions up to 70 % capacity.

Stage 4 starting 25/05/2020:
Malls, Universities, and other higher education institutions, school students with official exams (Brevet and Baccalaureate).

Stage 5 starting 08/06/2020:
Bars, Clubs, Gyms, Schools, Museums, Churches, Mosques, and Construction works.

It is important to note that gatherings and protests will remain banned.