Cuba reopens Havana airport after more than seven months of closure due to pandemic

The entrance to Jose Marti International Airport in Havana, September 25, 2019. REUTERS / Alexandre Meneghini

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Havana is reopening to tourism.

After more than seven months of closure, due to the coronavirus epidemic, the airport in the Cuban capital is back in service.

The country considers that it has controlled the spread of Covid-19 with 7,590 cases in an 11.2 million inhabitants.

Cuba is therefore reopening its borders to international tourism, a crucial sector for the country's already struggling economy.

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With our correspondent in Havana, 

Domitille Piron

Havana's José Marti Airport ready for the “new normal”.

This is how the situation adapted to the presence of the coronavirus is called here.

Upon arrival at the airport, a PCR test will be carried out to all travelers who will have to pay a health tax of $ 30 to cover the costs of the security protocol put in place by Cuba. 

The tourists will then have to isolate themselves for a few days, as explained by Doctor Duran, in charge of monitoring the epidemic in the country: “ 

A traveler who enters our country will have to take a PCR test again on the fifth day, because it happens that the day of arrival the virus is not yet detectable.

And on the fifth day, it can appear, so the traveler will have to limit his movements for 5-6 days. 

"

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Read also: Coronavirus: Cuba, Havana fate of one month confinement tota

l

Cuba is reopening its borders with a strict health protocol as the country

needs tourism

after more than 8 months of closure, but cannot afford a health crisis. 

In great economic difficulties, aggravated by

American sanctions

, the country is facing the epidemic in a context of economic crisis and is counting on tourism to revive the economy.

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Read also: Coronavirus: Cuba is ready for the return of foreign tourists to its beaches

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  • Cuba

  • Transport

  • Tourism

  • Coronavirus

  • Economy

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