José Marti International Airport. Photo: Archive/ACN.
Given the concerns and doubts of the population about international health control measures at airports, the head of the International Health Control Department of MINSAP provides answers to the following questions:
Which Covid-19 test do I need to take to travel to Cuba?
R/ Travelers entering Cuba through one of our entry points are not required to present a negative COVID-19 test, regardless of country of origin and vaccination status.
Which proof of vaccination do I have to present when entering the country and which vaccinations are accepted in Cuba?
R/ Travelers arriving on In Cuba you are not required to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19. Travelers from Angola, Brazil or any other area or country where yellow fever is transmitted must present the international certificate of vaccination against this disease upon request by the International Health Control Authority.
- Will I be tested for COVID-19 or another monitored disease when I arrive in Cuba?
R/ No, a rapid COVID-19 test or PCR sample will only be performed on travelers who have or have been diagnosed with respiratory symptoms at the time of arrival in Cuba.
What measures or suggestions have health authorities implemented regarding COVID-19 for travelers arriving in Cuba?
R/ Regardless of the origin of the travelers, their nationality and the purpose of the trip, the following recommendations are made:
- Wearing a mask is recommended on airplanes and in flight terminals, especially in crowded places. The use of a mask is also recommended on public transport.
- The use of hand sanitizing stations installed at all entry points into the country is recommended, both upon arrival and departure from the country.
- It is also recommended that travelers inform themselves about the health regulations of the countries to which they plan to travel by consulting the website www.es.kayak.com/retricciones-de-viaje.
I am Cuban and returning to Cuba after a trip or intending to enter Cuba to visit family and friends. What should I do when I arrive in my residential area?
R/ All Cuban travelers residing in Cuba, non-resident Cubans and foreigners residing in the country must report to their family doctor or, in the absence of one, to the Vice Directorate of Epidemiology of the Health Sector within the first 24 hours of their arrival. or polyclinic at your place of residence; You are also required to inform your doctor or nurse about the following:
- Your status as an international traveler.
- Find out as much information as possible if you have suffered from an illness during your trip abroad and are experiencing signs or symptoms of illness.
You must also:
- Follow the instructions and recommendations of the family doctor and nurse appropriate to the epidemiological risk of the country or territory you visited abroad, as well as those set out in the National Program and the established protocols International Health Control.
- You must monitor for signs of a communicable disease for at least 90 days after returning to the country. If you notice any signs or symptoms of illness, contact your family doctor or a National Health System facility immediately, always paying attention to your condition. of the international traveler.
Why is traveling abroad a risk and what do I have to consider to protect my health during the trip?
R/ Any traveler who leaves Cuba to visit any country in the world, regardless of the reason, is exposed to infection with diseases that are not present or controlled in our country, as well as other diseases that do exist in Cuba occur in an epidemiological and climatological context. and socially different.
If you become ill while abroad or upon returning to Cuba, you could endanger the health of your family and community. For these reasons, the traveler must take the following precautionary measures before and during his stay abroad:
Before you travel:
- Before the trip you must inform about the main health, climate or other issues that may exist in the country or region you are visiting.
- Avoid traveling if you are unbalanced in any way. chronic non-communicable disease that suffers.
- If you suffer from one, carry with you the necessary treatment covering the entire period of your stay in this country chronic non-communicable diseaseand, if applicable, the necessary documentation justifying the use of the medication carried.
- You must also undergo any upcoming medical procedures before travel to prevent decompensation during your visit or to ensure your health.
- You pay attention to the health and vaccination regulations required by the authorities of the country or countries to which you wish to travel, as well as the hygiene, health and prophylactic measures applicable in the different countries.
During their stay
- It complies with the hygiene and prophylactic measures of different countries.
- Do not eat foods of unknown origin or whose appearance and properties raise doubts about their quality.
- Do not drink water whose quality is not certified; You will take into account that in many countries around the world the water distributed through the water network is not approved for drinking.
- You protect yourself from insects and vectors, especially those that can transmit diseases such as mosquitoes and ticks, by using skin-protective clothing, repellents and other products that guarantee you are not exposed.
- Avoid visiting areas where diseases unknown in our country are transmitted or subject to international health control, such as malaria, yellow fever, cholera, Ebola, among others.
After your return to Cuba:
All Cuban travelers residents in Cuba, Cubans Non-residents And resident foreigners In the country, they are obliged to report to their family doctor and nurse within the first 24 hours of their arrival or, failing this, to the Vice Directorate of Epidemiology of the health sector or the polyclinic where they reside.
In addition, you must monitor for the emergence of a communicable disease for at least 90 days after your return to the country. If you notice any signs or symptoms of illness, contact your family doctor or a national health facility immediately, always emphasizing your status as an international traveler.
(Taken from the Ministry of Public Health)