Phased repatriation of Lebanese expatriates stranded abroad during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic
Abstract Background The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic represents a serious worldwide threat. Stranded Lebanese citizens abroad appealed to the Lebanese government to embark on citizen repatriation missions. We aim to document the Lebanese experience in the repatriation of citizens during C...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-11-01
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| Series: | Archives of Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-021-00740-y |
| _version_ | 1818695246341472256 |
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| author | Dalal Youssef Atika Berry Nada Ghosn Mahmoud Zalzali Riad Fadlallah Linda Abou-Abbas Hamad Hassan |
| author_facet | Dalal Youssef Atika Berry Nada Ghosn Mahmoud Zalzali Riad Fadlallah Linda Abou-Abbas Hamad Hassan |
| author_sort | Dalal Youssef |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic represents a serious worldwide threat. Stranded Lebanese citizens abroad appealed to the Lebanese government to embark on citizen repatriation missions. We aim to document the Lebanese experience in the repatriation of citizens during COVID-19 which allow us to disclose encountered challenges and lessons learned. Methods This is a retrospective description of processes involved in the phased repatriation of Lebanese citizens. The Mission consisted of 4 phases starting, April 5th until June 19th 2020. The prioritization of returnees was based on both medical and social risk assessment. The repatriation team was divided into four groups: the aircraft team, the airport team, the hotel team and the follow up team. On arrival, all returning citizens were tested using Polymerase chain Reaction (PCR) based technique, and were obliged to adhere to a mandatory facility quarantine for 24 to 48 h. Returning travelers who were tested positive for COVID-19 were transferred to the hospital. Those who were tested negative were urged to strictly comply with home-quarantine for a duration of 14 days. They were followed up on a daily basis by the repatriation team. Results Overall, 25,783 Lebanese citizens have returned home during the phased repatriation. The third phase ranked the uppermost in regard of the number of citizens repatriated. The total number of performed PCR tests at the airport upon arrival was 14,893 with an average percentage of around 1% positivity for COVID-19. On the other hand, more than 10,687 repatriates underwent external PCR requisite in the third and fourth phases. Two hundred seventy-two repatriates were tested positive for COVID-19 upon their arrival. Conclusion Considering the limited human and financial resources besides the economic and political crisis, the overall repatriation mission could be considered as a successful experience. Such processes would not have been achieved without the professionalism of all involved stakeholders. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T13:42:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4219a29881cf4505b5999ab28a35c975 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2049-3258 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T13:42:25Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Archives of Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-4219a29881cf4505b5999ab28a35c9752022-12-21T21:46:15ZengBMCArchives of Public Health2049-32582021-11-017911910.1186/s13690-021-00740-yPhased repatriation of Lebanese expatriates stranded abroad during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemicDalal Youssef0Atika Berry1Nada Ghosn2Mahmoud Zalzali3Riad Fadlallah4Linda Abou-Abbas5Hamad Hassan6Preventive Medicine Department, Ministry of Public HealthPreventive Medicine Department, Ministry of Public HealthEpidemiological Surveillance Program, Ministry of public HealthMinistry of Public HealthMinistry of Public HealthEpidemiological Surveillance Program, Ministry of public HealthMinistry of Public HealthAbstract Background The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic represents a serious worldwide threat. Stranded Lebanese citizens abroad appealed to the Lebanese government to embark on citizen repatriation missions. We aim to document the Lebanese experience in the repatriation of citizens during COVID-19 which allow us to disclose encountered challenges and lessons learned. Methods This is a retrospective description of processes involved in the phased repatriation of Lebanese citizens. The Mission consisted of 4 phases starting, April 5th until June 19th 2020. The prioritization of returnees was based on both medical and social risk assessment. The repatriation team was divided into four groups: the aircraft team, the airport team, the hotel team and the follow up team. On arrival, all returning citizens were tested using Polymerase chain Reaction (PCR) based technique, and were obliged to adhere to a mandatory facility quarantine for 24 to 48 h. Returning travelers who were tested positive for COVID-19 were transferred to the hospital. Those who were tested negative were urged to strictly comply with home-quarantine for a duration of 14 days. They were followed up on a daily basis by the repatriation team. Results Overall, 25,783 Lebanese citizens have returned home during the phased repatriation. The third phase ranked the uppermost in regard of the number of citizens repatriated. The total number of performed PCR tests at the airport upon arrival was 14,893 with an average percentage of around 1% positivity for COVID-19. On the other hand, more than 10,687 repatriates underwent external PCR requisite in the third and fourth phases. Two hundred seventy-two repatriates were tested positive for COVID-19 upon their arrival. Conclusion Considering the limited human and financial resources besides the economic and political crisis, the overall repatriation mission could be considered as a successful experience. Such processes would not have been achieved without the professionalism of all involved stakeholders.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-021-00740-yRepatriationCoronavirus disease (COVID-19)PandemicLebanon |
| spellingShingle | Dalal Youssef Atika Berry Nada Ghosn Mahmoud Zalzali Riad Fadlallah Linda Abou-Abbas Hamad Hassan Phased repatriation of Lebanese expatriates stranded abroad during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic Archives of Public Health Repatriation Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pandemic Lebanon |
| title | Phased repatriation of Lebanese expatriates stranded abroad during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic |
| title_full | Phased repatriation of Lebanese expatriates stranded abroad during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic |
| title_fullStr | Phased repatriation of Lebanese expatriates stranded abroad during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic |
| title_full_unstemmed | Phased repatriation of Lebanese expatriates stranded abroad during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic |
| title_short | Phased repatriation of Lebanese expatriates stranded abroad during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic |
| title_sort | phased repatriation of lebanese expatriates stranded abroad during coronavirus disease 2019 covid 19 pandemic |
| topic | Repatriation Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pandemic Lebanon |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-021-00740-y |
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