Havana, Cuba: The Cuban Minister of Tourism, Juan Carlos García, stressed today that the travel industry in this country will be open with more quality as of November 15, Prensa Latina publishes.
In a presentation on Cuban television from the International Press Center (CPI), the headline noted that requests for flights to the island are already being received from all over the world.
It meant that the solicitudes come from airlines such as Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and other European countries, in addition to Mexico, Panama, and the Dominican Republic, with reinforcement of links from Russia.
Cubana de Aviación resumed its regular trips to Argentina and Spain, and connectivity with regular lines such as Iberia, AirFrance and AirEuropa is maintained. From other regions such as Asia-Pacific, flights are restored, as is the case with Turkisairline.
An important point in his intervention was the renewal of the offer and the expansion of Internet access through Wi-Fi networks that already appear in airports, hotels and other places.
The five-star accommodations already have this technological service and it increases in the rest, with scope in the rooms and even on the beach.
He mentioned payment facilities through 173 exchange offices (Cadeca) distributed in air, sea and hotel terminals, among other places, with the possibility of obtaining cards called MLC (freely convertible currency).
Tourists returning to their countries can also recover their original amounts paid on these cards, which last two years so they can also be kept for other trips to the Island.
These financial measures exclude the direct entry of the US dollar due to Washington?s coercion measures (blockade) against this country ? allowing the rest of the currencies to function. MLC cards have issuance of 20, 200, 500 and 1000.
He announced that the domestic market is also included in the enjoyment of vacations as of November 15 in poles such as Varadero, and the Santa María, Coco and Guillermo keys.
So far this year, 200,000 travelers have entered the country, and another 100,000 are expected before the end of 2021.
Other measures announced by the minister:
By day 15, the border entry PCR is eliminated.
All travelers (Cubans or foreigners) who enter the country must present a health passport or international anti-Covid certificate for those vaccines certified by the corresponding regulatory agencies.
Those who do not have these documents are obliged to present a Covid-19 negative PCR certification at the arrival of the country with no less than 72 hours before traveling, carried out in a certified laboratory in the country of origin.
Epidemiological surveillance of international sanitary control will be maintained at all entry points, as well as in hotel facilities, for which medical assistance is strengthened with the location of basic health equipment in the facilities themselves.
Children under 12 years of age, regardless of their nationality, will be exempt from presenting a vaccination schedule or PCR test upon arrival in Cuba.
The presentation of the Declaration of Health of the Traveler (Affidavit of Health) will be required for all those who arrive in the country.
The mandatory use of the mask face is maintained within the air and port terminals, as well as throughout the country.
To board the flight at origin, airlines will require their passengers to provide evidence of a vaccination scheme or a negative PCR test applied within 72 hours beforehand.
The International Sanitary Control staff will randomly take samples for PCR at the airport.
Any traveler who arrives in the country and shows signs and symptoms of Covid-19 or another communicable disease will be referred to a health institution and a PCR test will be performed.
The owners of rental houses or people who host non-resident travelers in the country are responsible for immediately informing the corresponding health authorities of the appearance of any symptoms that they present.
The health areas in the community will maintain epidemiological surveillance of tourists staying in private homes.
For Cuban travelers residing in the country, the obligation to appear at the family doctor’s office or health area is restored within a period of no more than 48 hours after their arrival, to be followed up by the family doctor.
All Cuban travelers residing in the country, if not vaccinated, will be tested for antigen on the seventh day of arrival in their health area and if they present symptoms, they will be treated as a suspected case.
The protocols in the facilities are reinforced: the use of the mask in closed places and in the presence of other people, physical distancing, constant sanitation, hand disinfection measures, temperature measurement and others.