Cuba fully reopened for tourism this week with no testing or quarantine as the nation drops entry restrictions for the first time in 20 months.
The reopening coincides with Cuba’s peak tourism season, which lasts until late March.
A Cuba tourism spokesman said: “This is an opportunity, it allows to foresee and build the restart of the tourist operation, which benefits a large number of sectors of the Cuban economy.
“We must start from the condition that all vaccination schedules state that we will reach more than 90 percent vaccination in November. After this decision, there is analysis, seriousness, and responsibility.”
Travellers to Cuba now need to show a negative PCR test if they’re fully vaccinated and have a certificate to prove it. However, unvaccinated travellers will need to present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure to Cuba. Children under 12 are exempt from providing proof of vaccination and a negative PCR test.
The airport authorities will take random diagnostic tests at the airport. If a tourist tests positive, the government will transfer them to a ‘hotel hospital’, which is a government authorised tourist facility offering isolation and medical care.
The current travel rules state all incoming travellers must quarantine at these hotel hospitals for five days until they receive the results of their PCR test. After travellers have completed quarantine, they will need a second PCR test.
However, since Monday, all travellers can now bypass these restrictions and enjoy Cuba from the moment they’ve left the airport. There are other protocols for American travellers.
Kerlue Mcinnis
19 Nov, 2021It is what it is