Travelers who arrive in Cuba, regardless of the country of origin and vaccination status, do not have to present a COVID-19 negative test, nor a certificate of immunization against the disease.
Dr. Carmelo Trujillo, head of International Health Control of the Cuban Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), responded this Friday on the X social media to the concerns and doubts of the population about the measures taken at the island’s airports.
However, Trujillo specified that only rapid testing for COVID-19 or PCR will be carried out on those travelers who, at the time of arrival in Cuba, present or are detected with respiratory symptoms.
The source also clarified that travelers from Angola, Brazil or any other area or country with transmission of yellow fever must present the International Vaccination Certificate against that disease when the health authority requests it.
Dadas las inquietudes y dudas de la población sobre las medidas de Control Sanitario Internacional tomadas en los aeropuertos, el Dr. Carmelo Trujillo, jefe de Control Sanitario Internacional del @MINSAPCuba, brinda respuestas a estas interrogantes.
✍️https://t.co/eJXElFH9lC pic.twitter.com/lTXA19lKWd
— Ministerio de Salud Pública de Cuba (@MINSAPCuba) January 5, 2024
The current health protocol establishes that upon their return to the country, all Cuban residents, non-residents, and foreigners residing on the island are required to present themselves to their family doctor and nurse within the first 24 hours of arrival or failing that, to the Deputy Department of Epidemiology of the health area or polyclinic where they reside.
Additionally, after entering the national territory, travelers must be alert to any manifestation of communicable disease for at least 90 days after their return to the country.
Health authorities insist that if there is any sign or symptom of illness, the affected person should immediately go to their family doctor or a health institution, always emphasizing their status as an international traveler.
The measures and recommendations apply equally to all national tourist destinations.
New destination emerges
In addition to Havana and Varadero, which appear as the main tourist destinations on the island, Camagüey now also intends to become a reference destination, thanks to the arrival of flights from the United States to its international airport.
Four charter companies currently operate in the province, while American Airlines arrives with two weekly frequencies, Lisandra Díaz, head of the Operations Unit of the air terminal, explained to Prensa Latina.
Bárbara Colina, a representative of American Airlines in Camagüey, commented that the flights serve to connect Cayo Cruz with nature tourism lovers, beyond the constant arrival of Cubans who visit their relatives on the island.
Colina said that 40% of travelers with a United States passport have arrived since 2022, to practice excursion tourism to Cayo Cruz for a day, in an area that various tour operators promote as a favorite destination for sun and beach in Cuba.
Cuban tourism closed 2023 with around 2.45 million visitors, a figure far from the 3.5 million that the sector authorities had planned. Even so, Minister of Economy Alejandro Gil highlighted that the number of visitors represents a growth of 50% compared to 2022, and 64% of what was achieved in 2019.
