Cuba is preparing for the gradual reopening of tourism, starting with November 15, when it estimates that over 90% of the 11.2 million inhabitants will be completely vaccinated with the three doses of COVID-19 vaccines developed by the scientific institutions on the island. The Ministry of Tourism (Mintur) made this announcement, explaining that the sanitary hygiene measures and protocols that have been established for the arrival of passengers will be relaxed.
The protocols will focus on monitoring symptomatic patients and taking the temperature. The PCR test will not be required on arrival and the vaccination certificate presented by the passengers will be recognized, although the COVID tests will be performed randomly. The reopening of the domestic tourism industry will begin gradually, according to the epidemiological indicators of each region of the country.
Cuban health authorities are currently advancing on a massive vaccination program at the end of which they predict that the entire population eligible for immunization will be vaccinated with at least one dose of the Abdala, Soberana 02 and Soberana Plus vaccines - all created in Cuba.
By mid-November, when tourism is expected to begin reopening, Cuban authorities predict that they will immunize 92.6% of the island's 11.2 million inhabitants - including the population up to 18 years old.
Having restricted international travel since 24 March 2020, a decision from October 2020 announced the reopening of airports. However, after this decision, the number of cases increased again - largely due to non-compliance with passenger isolation protocols, and they took other more drastic measures.
At this time, the island requires travelers to submit a negative PCR test, performed a maximum of 72 hours before arrival, to which is added another test performed on arrival in the country. In addition, all those who arrive on Cuban territory, both foreigners and Cuban residents, are required to stay in quarantine for 7 days. For this reason, flights from the United States, Mexico, Panama, the Bahamas, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Colombia have been reduced to a minimum since January.
Cuba is currently experiencing the worst outbreak of the pandemic, with between 6.000 and almost 10.000 infections a day in the last week, with an average of 80 deaths a day. Thus, Cuba is one of the countries with the highest incidence of coronavirus in Latin America.