Cuba: Authorities reapply stricter COVID-19-related restrictions in Havana and other provinces as of Jan. 13 /update 17

Event

As of Jan. 13, authorities in Cuba have tightened or reapplied restrictions in Havana and localized areas in other provinces, due to increased numbers of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases. Consequently, several provinces and municipalities have regressed from the "New Normal" phase of recovery, under which most restrictions are lifted.

Under the strictest of the levels, the level of limited autochthonous transmission (transmision autoctona limitada, TAL), which is the pre-recovery phase, heightened restrictions are placed on nonessential commercial activity and public transport. Following this phase, commercial and recreational activities may resume in a phased approach under Phase 1 and 2 of recovery. Stricter capacity limits and rules around operating hours are enforced under Phase 1. Under Phase 2, authorities may lift restrictions on inter-municipal passenger transport and further ease restrictions on the tourism sector. Generally, under Phase 3 (one step behind New Normal), all economic and productive activities may continue, and interprovincial travel may resume.

As of Jan. 13, the following provinces and municipalities are not in the New Normal phase or have regressed under the recovery plan:

Artemisa: Alquizar, Bauta, and Guanajay are in the TAL phase; San Antonio de los Banos Artemisa, Guira de Melena and San Cristobal are in Phase 2; and the rest of the province is in Phase 1.
Cienfuego: All areas are in Phase 3.
Havana: All areas have moved to Phase 1.
Matanzas: Los Arabos, Pedro Betancourt, Perico and Cienaga de Zapata are in the TAL phase; Cardenas and Jaguey Grande are in Phase 1; Union de Reyes and Jovellanos are in Phase 3; and the rest of the proovince is in Phase 2.
Mayabeque: Guines, San Nicolas de Bari, Santa Cruz del Norte and Madruga are in the TAL phase; Batabana and Bejucal are in Phase 2; and the rest of the province is in Phase 1.
Guantanamo: Guantanamo and Niceto Perez are in the TAL phase; El Salvador and Manuel Tames are in Phase 1; and the rest of the province is under Phase 2.
Pinar del Rio: Sandino is in Phase 2; Pinar del Rio and La Palma are in Phase 3; and the rest of the province is in the New Normal phase.
Santiago de Cuba: Santiago de Cuba is in Phase 1, while the rest of the province is under Phase 3.
Villa Clara: Santa Clara and Sagua la Grande are in the TAL phase; Camajuani, Cifuentes, and Ranchuelo are in Phase 1; Encrucijada and Placetas are in Phase 2; and Quemado de Guines and Caibarien are in Phase 3.

Local authorities could enforce additional stricter restrictions on business, public transport, and recreational and group activities. Officials are enforcing some of the strictest measures in Havana, where authorities have prohibited the movement of all public and private transportation nightly between 2100-0500. All cinemas, theaters, bars, nightclubs, and private parties have been closed or suspended, and gatherings at parks, squares, or other public places are to end by 1900. Effective Jan. 13, officials have also suspended all interprovincial passenger transport.

International Travel
International travel is permitted; however, at the start of January Cuban authorities announced they would restrict travel from the US, Mexico, Panama, Bahamas, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic to curb the spread of COVID-19. Officials are also maintaining strict entry requirements for all arrivals.

Jose Marte International Airport (HAV) in Havana is operating with the following additional restrictions:

All travelers must present a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test taken 72 hours prior to entry.
All travelers must declare their health status and will be required to take a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival. Travelers may await their test results at their hotels or homes, under health surveillance measures. Persons who test positive will be subject to additional health and quarantine protocols.
Returning residents and travelers staying in local communities must take a second PCR test on day five. This does not apply to tourists staying in hotels.
All passengers must pay a sanitary/health tax included in the flight ticket cost, to cover the costs of sanitization and COVID-19 testing.

Individuals are required to abide by the local restrictions, wear a facemask in all enclosed public spaces, and must continue to adhere to sanitization and physical distancing requirements.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks. Officials could also impose highly targeted quarantine measures in localized communities where the threat of transmission is assessed to be higher, even within provinces under the New Normal phase.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance.

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.