Cuba will restrict flights from the US, 5 other nations to restrict COVID-19 unfold

MIAMI — The Cuban government has declared it will reduce down on the variety of tourists allowed into the island from the U.S. and 5 other international locations as of Jan. 1 to stay away from an boost in the selection of coronavirus infections.

© YAMIL LAGE/AFP/TNS
A wellness worker collects a swab sample for a COVID-19 check from a boy or girl at the Jose Marti International Airport as business flights resume in Havana on November 15, 2020, immediately after practically 8 months amid the new coronavirus pandemic.

It is not distinct how the authorities approach to put into practice the evaluate, but a governing administration assertion alludes to a reduction in the amount of flights. “The Civil Aeronautics authorities of Cuba are working with the airways on the essential facts,” the statement stated.

Many owners of Miami businesses that offer with journey to the island told el Nuevo Herald that Cuba will probably prohibit the number of flights to “a solitary flight per working day for every charter” airline.

“They also lessened the frequency of [commercial] airways,” stated an executive who asked to stay anonymous to keep away from reprisals from the Cuban governing administration. “The availability of tickets and rates will be affected by this evaluate. Charges go up when there is no offer. It is the legislation of the sector.”

A further manager at a charter agency advised el Nuevo Herald that Cuban officers had lifted the thought of limiting Cuban-American vacation to only all those who would like to devote much more than 10 times on the island.

“It has not nevertheless been accepted, but Cuba elevated that idea due to the fact Cuban Us citizens are not respecting the mandatory quarantine, and if they are sick, they spread COVID through the country. The plan is to drive them to regard the legislation,” reported the manager, who also requested not to be recognized. “The officers also said that they would be far more arduous in imposing fines of up to 5,000 Cuban pesos on all those who split the law, and that they would be prosecuted for the criminal offense of spreading epidemics.”

Cuba’s penal code claims a citizen can be jailed for as very long as a yr and fined up to 300 pesos for the criminal offense of “propagation of epidemics,” despite the fact that fines of up to 3,000 pesos have been documented during the coronavirus pandemic.

American Airways informed el Nuevo Herald that it will operate one particular each day flight concerning Jan. 1-6, expanding the frequency to 4 everyday flights starting Jan. 7. Southwest Airways said it has built no modify so much in the range of its departures to the island.

The govt assertion said the limitations would impact vacationers from the U.S., Mexico, Panama, Bahamas, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

As of Monday, Cuba had confirmed 229 new situations of COVID-19, for a complete of 11,434 scenarios, 1,486 active. Cuba claims it has 9 folks in important situation and 10 in severe affliction. Considering the fact that the pandemic commenced 143 people have died of the disorder on the island.

International travelers’ contacts with other people today symbolize “71.5% of the overall scenarios detected in current months, mostly connected with Cuban citizens” from the international locations that will be restricted, authorities mentioned.

Cuba announced very last 7 days that travelers from abroad will be essential to clearly show a adverse PCR examination as of Jan. 10, as perfectly as having another COVID check on the island and retaining quarantine.

“As shortly as the epidemic condition allows it, the frequency of flights will step by step be restored,” the statement from the island’s ministry of health claimed.