Jamaica Gleaner

Now largely vaccinated, Cubans prepare to welcome tourists

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CRAFTS VENDORS are returning to the streets, transport between provinces is gradually returning to normal and crowds once again line the seafront Malecon boulevard in the Cuban capital.

The characteri­stic bustle of the Caribbean nation is gradually rebounding after 20 months of pandemic restrictio­ns, with the key moment set to occur on November 15 with the start of the full opening of airports, gateways to a tourism industry that feeds thousands of families.

A significan­t decrease in infections and mortality caused by the virus has followed an inoculatio­n campaign with three locally developed vaccines — Soberana 02, Soberana Plus and Abdala – even if some fear the reopening could bring a resurgence of COVID-19.

“Thank God we have a job again,” said Manuel Santos, a 58-year-old taxi driver who is awaiting the arrival of tourists after surviving for months delivering packages rather than visitors in his mid-50s Chevrolet convertibl­e. “Let’s see if everything continues like this and this country can move ahead.”

So far, Cuba has registered 956,452 infections of the new coronaviru­s and 8,265 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health. The vaccinatio­n campaign, covering everyone 2 and up, has given all three scheduled doses to 7.3 million people on this island of 11 million people.

What authoritie­s call the “new normal” will retain safeguards: Face masks and cleansing gel will be mandatory. There may be no quarantine, but all travellers will have to have complete vaccinatio­n or a negative PCR test.

Cuba’s gross domestic product fell by 11 per cent in 2020. For the population, that meant long lines, shortages, blackouts, a black market and unemployme­nt. The problems were exacerbate­d by US sanctions and by the socialist government’s financial reorganisa­tion, including the eliminatio­n of a dual currency system.

Authoritie­s have recognised that inflation is a problem. While the US dollar officially is priced at 24 Cuban pesos, it goes for 70 pesos on the street – the only place where you can get a dollar because the government does not sell them.

Opposition groups have called for a protest march on Nov 15, but the authoritie­s denied permission. Instead, the government of the capital has scheduled several events to commemorat­e the 502nd anniversar­y of the city’s founding.

In recent weeks, social isolation measures have been eased in almost every sector. Children are back in classrooms, theatres and cinemas have reopened and the famous Tropicana cabaret will return to the stage. Stores have fewer restrictio­ns and more government offices are open.

Officials dropped a ban on congregati­ng on the Malecon seawall to enjoy the ocean view. A night-time curfew in the capital was lifted. Interprovi­ncial trains and buses began to schedule departures.

“After two years, I will reunite with my mother, my neighbours, my town, my province. I am very happy,” said Bárbara García, 63, a native of Ciego de Ávila, as she waited at a bus terminal in Havana.

Restaurant­s are authorised to serve at tables once again after months of take-out or home delivery.

At the privately owned La Guarida restaurant this week, workers were trying to regain their rhythm and restock good that are now sometimes lacking or are only available in dollars.

“We have had a pretty tough financial and emotional time. Many families from many private businesses in Cuba have been at home without work, ” said Vivian Aymerich, manager of La Guarida.“I think that from the 15th, there will be an improvemen­t.”

The restaurant began as a small place with 12 chairs during an early opening to private business 25 years ago.Today it has 50 employees who were unemployed for nearly two years, subsisting on their savings. Celebritie­s such as Madonna, Jack Nicholson, Robert De Niro, Rihanna and Queen Sofia of Spain have visited La Guarida.

Cuba received 4.2 million tourists in 2019, generating about US$3 billion. That dropped to barely a million visitors in 2020 – concentrat­ed in the first quarter before the pandemic broke in earnest.

This year, from January to September, only 280,000 travellers arrived, mostly Russians who concentrat­ed in relatively isolated tourist areas, some Canadians, and Cubans living abroad who came to visit their families.

The authoritie­s estimate that after the reopening, about 100,000 more visitors will arrive this year.

 ?? AP ?? Customers sit on a terrace at La Guarida restaurant in Havana, Cuba, on November 3, 2021. Cuba is preparing to reopen to the world on November 15, following lockdown restrictio­ns.
AP Customers sit on a terrace at La Guarida restaurant in Havana, Cuba, on November 3, 2021. Cuba is preparing to reopen to the world on November 15, following lockdown restrictio­ns.

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