Cuba: Authorities to reduce international travel from several countries from Jan. 1 due to COVID-19 /update 16

Event

Cuban authorities have announced that beginning Jan. 1, 2021, all international travel from the US, Mexico, Panama, Bahamas, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic will be reduced to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Officials also maintain that all travelers will be required to present a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test taken 72 hours prior to entry, but from Jan. 10. Other existing measures remain unchanged.

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

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 arriving after Dec. 1 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 wear a facemask in all enclosed public spaces and must continue to adhere to sanitization and physical distancing requirements.

Localized Enhanced Measures
As of late December, Cuban authorities are continuing to enforce strict business and movement restrictions in provinces with higher COVID-19 transmission rates, while still applying the "New Normal" phase of recovery across the rest of the country.

Under the strictest of the levels, which is the limited autochthonous transmission (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 Dec. 30, municipalities and provinces still under the phase of limited autochthonous transmission or one of the three recovery phases are:

Cienfuego: All areas are in Phase 3 of recovery.
Havana: All areas are in Phase 3 of recovery.
Pinar del Rio: Pinar del Rio and Guane municipalities are in Phase 1; Consolacion del Sur is Phase 3; Sandino is in the limited autochthonous transmission; the rest of the province has entered the New Normal phase.
Sancti Spiritus: Cabaiguan is in Phase 3; however, the rest of the province has entered the New Normal phase.
Santiago de Cuba: All areas are in Phase 3 of recovery.

Recreational and entertainment establishments, such as bars and nightclubs, will be subject to additional health protocols. Persons displaying disease symptoms are not permitted to enter work centers, education institutions, or other public places.

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.