Cuban government clarifies health protocols for international travelers

He Cuban Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) clarified health protocols in the country for international travelers this weekend.

The head of MINUSAP’s International Health Control Department explained that travelers arriving in Cuba, regardless of country of origin and their vaccination status, do not need to present a negative test for COVID-19 or a certificate of vaccination Is. That disease.

“Travelers arriving from Angola, Brazil or any other area or country with transmission of yellow fever must present, if requested by the health authority (International Health Control), an International Certificate of Vaccination against this disease,” MINSAP said in an official statement. Will have to do.”

The Cuban government is reporting on this protocol at a time when its institutions are going through a deep health crisis, with a shortage of supplies of all types and even professionals.

It will not conduct any tests related to COVID-19 or other diseases on international travelers under surveillance.

Cuban officials said, “Only travelers who are asymptomatic or have respiratory symptoms at the time of arrival in Cuba will be rapidly tested for COVID-19 or sampled for PCR Will go.”

However, Cuba’s health protocols include a set of recommendations for international travelers. They will be the following:

• Wear a mask on airplanes and inside air terminals, especially in crowded places like public transportation.
• During arrival in Cuba or departure from the country, use the hand disinfection stations installed at entry points.
• Be informed about the health requirements established by the countries you intend to travel to.

Travelers to Cuba, non-resident Cubans and foreigners residing in the country must attend their family physician within the first 24 hours of arrival on the island.

If there is no family doctor in your community, you should go to the epidemiology sub-directorate of the health area or polyclinic where you live.

During these trips, they are required to report their status as an international traveller, if they suffered from any illness while traveling abroad and if they felt any signs or symptoms of illness, the most accurate information give.

Family doctors and nurses will give instructions according to the epidemiological risk of the country or region where the traveler has visited the foreign country.

“You should remain alert to any manifestations of communicable disease for at least 90 days after returning to the country and if you notice any signs or symptoms of illness, immediately consult your family doctor,” the MINSAP statement warned. Go to.”

The state agency believes that every traveler leaving Cuba is exposed to diseases that are not present on the island, or are controlled or present in Cuba but in a different epidemiological and climatic context.

They warn, “If you become ill while you are abroad or upon returning to Cuba, you may be putting the health of your family and your community at risk.”

The government assures that for these reasons certain aspects need to be kept in mind before travelling. They ask Cubans to inform themselves about the main health, climate or other problems present in the country or region they will visit.

If the person is unbalanced in any way then they recommend avoiding travel. chronic noncommunicable diseases He suffers. And if you go ahead with this idea, the traveler will have to undergo the necessary treatment that covers the entire period of their stay in the other country.

MINASAP recommends that Cubans should complete before traveling “any pending medical procedure that prevents damage during their trip or that guarantees their good state of health.”

Cubans must observe “hygienic, sanitary and prophylactic measures imposed by the various governments” in the country they are traveling to; Do not eat foods of unknown origin; Do not drink water that is not of certified quality; Protect yourself from insects and disease vectors that can spread diseases.

In addition, travelers to Cuba should “avoid visiting areas where diseases unknown in our country circulate or others that are under international health control such as malaria, yellow fever, cholera, Ebola, etc.”

MINASAP asks Cuban travelers returning to the island to remain vigilant for any symptoms of communicable disease for at least 90 days after returning to the country.

“If you have any signs or symptoms of illness, go immediately to your family doctor or to an institution of the national health system, always emphasizing your status as an international traveler,” the state agency requests.