12 Oct 2021 | 01:24 AM UTC
Cuba: Authorities ease existing COVID-19-related domestic measures as of Oct. 11; entry restrictions remain in force through at least mid-November /update 27
Cuban authorities relax certain COVID-19-related restrictions as of Oct. 11; full reopening to international tourism planned mid-November.
Event
Cuban officials are easing some existing COVID-19-related restrictions as of Oct. 11 on a province-by-province basis. Provinces such as Ciego de Avila, Cienfuegos, Guantanamo, La Habana, Matanzas, Mayabeque, and Santiago de Cuba and the island municipality of Isla de la Juventud can now allow restaurants and other eateries to reopen under specific sanitary protocols. Additionally, the current nightly curfew in La Habana Province - including the capital - will begin at 22:30.
The current measures will continue until further notice. Authorities may adjust domestic restrictions at the provincial and municipal levels based on local case numbers. International entry restrictions also remain in force, though officials plan to ease protocols from Nov. 15.
International Travel Restrictions
All travelers must present a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before entry; Canadian nationals and residents arriving from Canada are exempt from the pre-arrival testing requirement.
All travelers must declare their health status and take a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival.
All travelers must remain in mandatory isolation in designated hotel facilities at their own expense for at least six days and undergo a second PCR test on their fifth day. The isolation period ends when the second test result is negative. However, travelers entering the country via airports in Varadero (VRA) or Cayo Coco (CCC) must remain in mandatory isolation for a longer period of 14 days. Certain exemptions to mandatory on-arrival quarantines apply for foreign nonresident tourists availing themselves of all-inclusive packages.
All passengers must pay a sanitary/health tax included in the flight ticket price to cover the costs of sanitization and COVID-19 testing.
Some flight operations are continuing; however, flights are limited, and cancellations may occur with little-to-no notice.
Domestic Measures
Strict restrictions limiting nonessential commercial activity and public transport remain in effect; officials have eased measures in several provinces where case numbers have been declining. Local authorities can enforce tighter restrictions on business, public transport, and recreational and group activities based on local disease activity. Various nightly curfews are in place depending on the province and/or municipality; in the capital Havana, curfew begins 22:30 nightly.
Individuals must 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 local 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.
