MIAMI, United States. – The Cuban Government announced this Wednesday the suspension of teaching and work activities until next Monday, October 28. The new measure extends the suspension that had been effective since last Friday.
According to the official note released by state media, the decision was made in order to “continue the work derived from the recovery period for the damage caused by the passage of the Hurricane Oscar for the eastern region of the country and the reestablishment of the National Electroenergy System.”
The information also specifies that workers who are mobilized will receive payment of their average salary and that those who do not attend work will receive “the payment of a salary guarantee equivalent to the scale salary of the position they occupy.”
Last Thursday, the island’s regime also announced severe measures that sought to alleviate the electricity generation deficit, a consequence of the lack of fuel and growing demand, as reported by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz in a television appearance.
The provisions included the suspension of all services that were not vital and generated high energy consumption. As part of these restrictions, cultural activities in both the state and non-state sectors were suspended.
Only essential services, such as hospitals and food processing centers, continued to operate with alleged regularity, according to information released by official media.
Likewise, it was reported that the activities of nightclubs and recreational centers that generated “high concentrations of people” were suspended, with the aim of reducing the demand for electricity at critical times.
On the other hand, the country’s Energy Councils were activated to manage the situation more efficiently.
The measures came in a context of growing uncertainty, with long days of blackouts (more than 20 hours a day) and an energy infrastructure that has not received the necessary investments for its modernization.
Despite the provisions, a day later it was announced the “total disconnection” of the National Electroenergy System (SEN)which caused an unprecedented national blackout for around four days.
