{"id":222749,"date":"2020-06-12T15:41:48","date_gmt":"2020-06-12T19:41:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/en\/?p=222749"},"modified":"2020-06-12T15:43:43","modified_gmt":"2020-06-12T19:43:43","slug":"coronavirus-reopening-plan-although-without-fixed-calendar-comprises-three-phases-for-cuba","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/en\/cuba\/coronavirus-reopening-plan-although-without-fixed-calendar-comprises-three-phases-for-cuba\/","title":{"rendered":"Coronavirus: reopening plan, although without fixed calendar, comprises three phases for Cuba"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Cuban government detailed this Thursday, without setting precise dates, its progressive plan for the return to normality after almost three months of restrictions due to the coronavirus. It will begin with a three-phase first stage that could start next week \u201cif no incidents occur.\u201d<\/p>\n

President Miguel D\u00edaz-Canel and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero appeared this Thursday on state television to report on the \u201cgradual and phased\u201d easing itinerary, subject to each area\u2019s sanitary conditions.<\/p>\n

Each province will have its own calendar. Havana, which registers the majority of the more than 2,000 confirmed cases of the virus and continues to report infections, will be the last region of the island to enter the \u201cnew normality.\u201d<\/p>\n

The president insisted that they will be \u201ccautious\u201d and will not rush the de-escalation because they want to avoid at all costs a second wave of the virus. \u201cThe challenge would be to prevent the disease from becoming endemic,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He stressed that if necessary the restrictions could be reinstated in areas where a focus of the disease arises.<\/p>\n

The first stage of \u201cpost-COVID-19 recovery\u201d is divided into three phases, the duration of which has not yet been specified.<\/p>\n

Some measures such as the use of masks, social distancing and active screenings in the community \u201care here to stay,\u201d D\u00edaz-Canel warned.<\/p>\n

A second stage will be dedicated to implementing an \u201ceconomic strengthening strategy to face a prolonged crisis at the global level,\u201d which in Cuba\u2019s case will also be aggravated by the strengthening of the U.S. embargo in the last two years.<\/p>\n

These are some of the measures of the plan announced this Thursday:<\/p>\n

FIRST AND SECOND PHASE<\/p>\n

– Commercial flights continue suspended.<\/p>\n

– Nationals and foreigners residing on the island who enter Cuban territory in this period must observe a quarantine of fourteen days in state isolation centers.<\/p>\n

– Capacity restrictions are maintained in meeting rooms.<\/p>\n

– Strict protection measures will be maintained for personnel at risk such as health workers.<\/p>\n

– The government will guarantee salaries to state employees and social services.<\/p>\n

– Teleworking will be promoted.<\/p>\n

– The payment of personal income tax continues being suspended.<\/p>\n

– The extension of citizenship rights is maintained for Cubans who exceed 24 months outside the country (currently 445,000 Cuban residents remain abroad).<\/p>\n

– The government will automatically extend the procedures for investment ventures and foreign companies that are about to expire.<\/p>\n

– Massive events, fairs and carnivals will be prohibited.<\/p>\n

– The sale of basic need products through the ration book and the regulation of articles in shops are maintained in all three phases.<\/p>\n

– The deferment of payment of credits is also maintained in the three phases.<\/p>\n