06 Jul 2021 | 12:59 AM UTC
Cuba: Authorities maintain most COVID-19-related travel protocols and domestic restrictions as of July 5 /update 23
Authorities maintain COVID-19-related domestic restrictions in Cuba as of July 5; international travel restrictions remain in effect.
Event
Cuban officials maintain most COVID-19-related restrictions as of July 5. Measures will likely stay in force through early August, although authorities may adjust domestic restrictions at the provincial and municipal levels based on local case numbers. Effective July 5, the following measures are in place:
International Travel Restrictions
All travelers must present a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before entry.
All travelers must declare their health status and must take a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival.
All travelers must remain in mandatory isolation for seven days and undergo a second PCR test on the fifth or 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 undergo isolation in designated hotel facilities at the traveler's expense. Authorities will transfer those who test positive for COVID-19 to a hospital or health center.
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
Most provinces remain under strict restrictions limiting nonessential commercial activity and public transport amid increasing COVID-19 case numbers. Local authorities can enforce tighter measures on business, public transport, and recreational and group activities based on local disease activity. 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.
On June 29, officials declared that the country is under a Community Transmission Phase due to an increase in COVID-19 cases and the presence of highly contagious variants. Authorities announced that they would strengthen measures, mainly restrictions on interprovincial travel. The government also sent officials to oversee the situation in some of the most affected provinces, including Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Matanzas, Mayabeque, Pinar del Rio, and Santiago de Cuba.
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.
