Cuba: Authorities ease some COVID-19 measures from October 12 /update 16

Event

Cuban authorities announced the easing of some coronavirus disease (COVID-19) measures from Monday, October 12, following a decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country. The easing of restrictions will apply to the majority of the country excluding Havana, Ciego de Avila, and Sancti Spiritus province. Under the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, international commercial passenger flights will be permitted to resume operations in 13 of the 16 territories, however, international travel will continue to be severely disrupted as Havana is the main international airport to Cuba.

Those traveling into any of the 13 territories open will be required to take a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival and must declare their health status; travelers may await their test results at their hotels or homes. Additionally, face masks are mandatory in all public areas. Recreation and entertainment facilities will be subject to additional health protocols.

As of October 12, there have been 5978 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Cuba with 123 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.