On 21 July 2020, the U.S Embassy in Beirut issued a Security Alert for Lebanon, which reads in part as follows:
“Event: Lebanon is experiencing a severe economic crisis that is creating hardships for its residents and visitors. These include a nationwide shortage of U.S. dollars; a rapid decline in the value of the local currency; restrictions on bank withdrawals; sharply increased food prices; sporadic fuel shortages; blackouts; and increased incidence of street crime and burglaries. Some Lebanese health care providers also report having difficulties paying staff and importing medicines and medical equipment. Many shops, restaurants, and hotels that reopened following a COVID-19 lockdown have now closed for economic reasons.
“Beginning in October 2019, Lebanon witnessed frequent demonstrations by protesters dissatisfied with government policies. While these protests, which were largely peaceful, have decreased in size and frequency, the country is still seeing street protests, and some of them have turned violent.”
