Cuba, in its first phase of deconfinement, bets on the return of tourists

Text by: Domitille Piron

With the coronavirus epidemic still raging in Latin America, Cuba is beginning to return to normal. The island has more than 2,200 contaminations and 84 deaths linked to Covid-19, and the epidemic is under control according to the Cuban authorities. Today the country is therefore entering its first phase of deconfinement, with the return of tourists as the main objective and the wearing of the mask, which is still compulsory.

Publicity

From our correspondent in Havana,

White sand beach and coconut palms for foreign tourists in Cuba from July 1st. For the moment only the cays, the small paradisiac islands which border the main island, will be accessible to the tourists with a landing directly on the spot, in other words the tourists will not be able to visit Havana nor Santiago for the moment.

And all foreigners will be tested on arrival and followed during their stay. Cuba wants to promote a dream and safe destination, and revive the currency machine, tourism is the engine of the economy in great difficulty today.

For the population, the return to normal concerns all the provinces except Havana and Matanzas, and this plan includes: wearing a mandatory mask, as has been the case since the beginning of the epidemic; resumption of transport; the reopening of businesses; school closings until September; and the cancellation of carnivals and other popular festivities.

Cuba also wants to encourage national tourism, but the capital and the beaches of Varadero are therefore excluded for the moment.

Our selection on the coronavirus

• Listen to our Coronavirus Info column 

• Our  explanations  :
→  What we know about the mode of contagion
→  Disparities and inequalities facing the coronavirus
→  Triple therapy, Discovery… update on research
→  Remdesivir, antibodies and immunity
→  The race for the vaccine is in full swing
→  How to make a mask and use it well

• Our series  :
→ “  The response, country by country  ”
→ “  Nurses  ' words ”

• After Covid-19, towards a new world?

• See also the files of RFI Savoirs on the Covid-19:
→  Birth of a pandemic
→  Everyday life put to the test
→  The history of epidemics
→  Science facing the Covid-19
→  The geopolitical consequences

Newsletter Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI application

• Cuba
• Tourism
• Coronavirus

On the same subject

TRNHAITI

Latest U.S. Sanction Against Cuban Government Comes Into Force Friday

International reporting

Coronavirus: nothing will stop the production of cigars in Cuba

Coronavirus: first return of Cuban doctors called in for reinforcement in Italy