The Cuban health authorities have decided to establish new restrictions due to the increase in infections in the last days. If 241 new cases of covid-19 were reported yesterday, almost 100 more than the previous day, this Thursday the trend continues, with the record of 328 positives.
In addition, after several days without deaths related to the coronavirus, there is a reported victim, although he had testicular cancer with brain metastasis, a serious comorbidity.
The Ministry of Public Health recognizes in a statement published this Thursday that “the trend is to increase infections”, specifically 34.8% in Cuba in the last week, and recalls “the high power of dissemination” of the omicron variant , “which has the capacity to double the number of cases in just two or three days”, and which has expanded to 110 countries.
On the island, they report, 72 people infected with this strain have been identified, spread over 12 provinces. “Most are imported cases, although patients who have been contacted by these have already been diagnosed,” says the Health text.
For this reason, from January 5 there will be new regulations, which mainly affect international travelers.
For travelers “from high-risk countries”, “random” surveillance will be increased
Now, they will have to present a complete vaccination scheme upon entry to Cuba, in addition to a negative PCR with a maximum age of 72 hours.
For travelers “from high-risk countries,” the statement said, “random” surveillance will be increased.
The most restrictive measures, despite the fact that in the United States and Europe the infections are being exponential, affect those who come from South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Malawi and Eswatini, who will be subjected to a PCR upon arrival to the Island and they will have to do a mandatory eight-day quarantine in a hotel “destined for that purpose.” Travelers will have to pay for it out of pocket along with transportation. On the seventh day, a new test will be performed, which, if negative, will allow discharge from quarantine.
The same is established for Cubans residing on the island who do not have a vaccination scheme, the regulations specify.
If a traveler who arrives on the island tests positive for covid-19, he will be admitted to a health center, and all his direct contacts, isolated in special centers or “at home, as long as the necessary conditions exist and compliance is guaranteed. of this measure “.
As for the rest of the population, “massive activities that generate conglomerates of people” will be prohibited, without specifying whether this includes the daily and long queues to buy food.
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