05 Jun 2021 | 12:21 AM UTC
Cuba: COVID-19-related quarantine period lengthened as of June 5 as part of tightened travel protocols and domestic restrictions /update 22
COVID-19 restrictions in Cuba tightened as of June 5 as mandatory quarantine period extended for international arrivals.
Event
Cuban officials are tightening COVID-19-related restrictions for international arrivals from June 5 by increasing the mandatory quarantine period from five days to one week. This and other COVID-19 protocols will likely stay in force through early July, although domestic restrictions at the provincial and municipal levels may be adjusted based on local case numbers. Effective June 5, the following restrictions are in place:
International Travel Restrictions
All travelers must present a negative result from a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken no more than 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.
All travelers are required to remain in mandatory isolation for at least seven days; a second PCR test will be administered on the sixth day. The isolation period ends when the second test result is negative. Cuban nationals and residents can complete their isolation at designated centers free of charge, while nonresident foreigners must be isolated in designated hotel facilities at the traveler's expense.
All passengers must pay a sanitary/health tax included in the price of the flight ticket to cover the costs of sanitization and COVID-19 testing.
Reduced flight frequencies continue for operations between Cuba and the US, Mexico, Panama, Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Colombia, Spain, France, and Russia.
Domestic Measures
Most provinces have regressed to the strictest level of restrictions amid increasing COVID-19 case numbers. Under these circumstances, heightened restrictions are placed on nonessential commercial activity and public transport, which may only be used by essential workers. Following this stage, commercial and recreational activities may resume gradually under phases 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 intercity passenger transport and further ease restrictions on tourism. Generally, under Phase 3 (one step behind New Normal), all economic and production activities may continue and interprovincial travel may resume.
Local authorities could enforce tighter restrictions on business, public transport, and recreational and group activities. Officials are enforcing some of the strictest measures in Havana, where all public and private transportation traffic is prohibited nightly between 21:00-05:00. Officials have also suspended all interprovincial passenger transport.
Individuals are required to abide by local restrictions, wear a facemask in all enclosed public spaces, and adhere to sanitization and physical distancing requirements.
Authorities could reimpose, extend, ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.
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.
