A recent report from Bohemia magazine addresses the topic of tourists in Cuba's main resort, Varadero.
The Mintur delegate in the province of Matanzas, Ivis Fernández, "declared" to the environment in which three modalities currently coexist in the tourist hub: international tourism, national vacationers, and travelers arriving through the Juan Gualberto Gómez airport.
Foreign visitors come, according to what was announced, mostly from Russia and the United Kingdom (with only one weekly flight).
“We currently have a daily average of five thousand foreign tourists in Varadero”, he pointed out.
He also stated that Varadero also receives "Cuban passengers from abroad, whether residents or not in the country, who undergo preventive isolation upon their arrival through Juan Gualberto Gómez.
Among the 5,000 foreign tourists and around 2,000 nationals, Varadero is far from hosting the figure of 26,000 clients from previous years, the source indicated.
However, Concern is growing among the population about travelers coming from Russia.
In that regard, Fernández assured that the health measures agreed upon by Minsap and Mintur are being followed with "rigor.
Is the outbreak in Matanzas a consequence of the arrival of Russian tourists?
Travelers, he explains, "receive an initial test at the border and a follow-up test while we have two centers that operate as hospitals for those who are detected as positive and where they receive treatment until their medical discharge.
On this matter, the press consulted To the Provincial Director of Health in Matanzas, Dr. Ailuj Casanova Barreto.
PreguntaMost of those who write to us insist that the resurgence is due, among other causes, to the arrival of Russian tourists, specifically the lack of regulation concerning them. What can you say about this?
Respuesta“Obviously, with Mintur we maintain the same measures established for dealing with COVID-19. Today there are a number of hotels designated to receive all Cubans arriving from Russia who stay in these hotels. Of course, we have a medical team to monitor them. They are given a first PCR test at the airport upon arrival.
If the patient is positive, they are transferred to another institution, and if negative, surveillance is maintained for 6 days and a new PCR test is performed.
Specifically about Russian tourists, he pointed out that "we obviously have another network of hotels for the tourism that comes to our country, that comes for vacation purposes to the island and to spend their stay. In these places we keep doctors and nurses, with the protocol established and the measures are maintained.”
When asked about the quarantine of workers in the tourism sector, the doctor stated that "it would be ideal, but there are times when we do not have enough time to cover the three weeks, that is, a 7-day schedule for one group first, then another group.
He states that "an average of three regimes would be needed for each of the isolations, and not all organizations, including MINTUR, have these workers.
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If they have capacity for 25,000 tourists and there are only 5,000, where is the staff or the workers who were supposed to attend to the other 20,000 that don't exist? If they have capacity for three shifts, what they don't want is to pay that salary.
All of this is the Government's problem, which has exchanged the health of a people for Euros, so in the end we are worse off, more COVID, less food, more deaths, and many blackouts. It also allowed Cuba to get more infected while waiting for Cuban vaccines, and look now how many strains we have and how many infections and deaths, plus the misery the people are going through.
In the end, he did not answer the question.
But he never answered the question. YES OR NO???
THE REALITY IS THAT EVERY DAY BETWEEN 20 AND 70 TOURISTS FROM RUSSIA TEST POSITIVE ON THE PCR.
And what do the competent authorities say? Now no one wants to take responsibility for the indiscipline allowed by the PNR. They fine Cubans without masks, those who are bathing, and the Russians, nothing. Is it fear on the part of those agents (of order) or are these the instructions they have from government officials?
What’s going on with Duran that he doesn’t say anything about it?
I am sure that if Cuba puts an end to that Russian tourism, the pandemic will improve. Have you seen the football games at the EM,?? up to 45,000 people in a stadium and unvaccinated, and the Delta dissipating like an evil devil on the loose and then going on vacation to the Caribbean. Horrible. Put them in quarantine for 14 days if they want to go. Every risk country quarantine.
Mr. Duran, thank you very much and be blessed. I know that if you could decide, you would. God bless and give wisdom to those in charge so they can see the needs of the people and decide in their favor.
The blockade is among the Cubans themselves… what happened to me is that while I was at the airport, a group of Russians arrived without masks, and no airport worker told them to put them on. However, they did tell the Cubans to wear them.
It is no secret that in Moscow they sell PCR tests for a few rubles.
The health authorities in Matanzas are being quite deficient and irresponsible, with significant delays in knowing the PCR results, samples get lost, and the patient has to repeat the test. This way, we won't beat Covid.
I was at the Los Cactus hotel, it's a disgrace. The first two days they gave me food at 2 in the morning, no joke, and lunch at 3 in the afternoon. They didn't even give us water. We called the government and not even then did they treat us well. They kept us there like prisoners, and don't even get me started on the mosquitoes. It's all a disgrace, taking advantage of the people. Long live free Cuba.
Incredible, despite being asked in different ways if the situation was due to the entry of the Russians, he dodged the question and at no point denied or confirmed it…
I agree completely. No one that the question was posted to answered the question. They gave the same dang Party Line answer about the quarantine and safety measures, but never answered whether or not the imported cases from Russians entering into Cuba’s tourist sectors were responsible for the outbreak of COVID-19 in those areas. It’s more lies, half-truths, and a complete lack of respect for the people that the Government is displaying. They continue to do this because they know that nobody in Cuba is going to do a dang thing about their lies and disrespect.
He didn't answer the question, he beat around the bush, as always, safeguarding his position and avoiding getting into trouble.
but no response is needed, the strain entered through the border, it was not generated here and therefore it shows that the barriers and measures taken to prevent it are ineffective. The nationality of the visitors does not matter, they can be Russians, Cubans, or Indians, the latter have also entered and many infected, it was the source country of the delta strain and no special measures were taken, they continued coming as workers hired by the construction companies.
Where are the long lines? People themselves do not keep their distance, out of desperation to buy. But the fault lies with the government that has the people without food, without medicine. And of course people worry, because they have families to take care of.
It is true that foreigners are without masks in hotels, but I believe they cannot go out.
And I say more, what about the Cuban vaccine? For me, it is not effective.
Or it is a strategy to shut the people up and lie to them by saying there is a solution, when now there are more virus cases than ever.
It is sad to see people going through more hardship than they already were, but it is also the fault of the Cuban themselves.
It is true that in Cuba there is no freedom of expression, and what does the Cuban do (he says it's fine and laughs at his problems). But the government has to provide a solution to the people and has never done so. They only tell lies and more lies. And the Cuban believes them.
Cuba is a DICTATORSHIP
It is not a free country. It is true that education is free, as is healthcare, but in many many countries as well.
Who is then to blame for the infections?
Well, the government itself, because of the lies, the lack of food and medicine in stores and pharmacies.
It is the Cuban himself who is to blame, it is not the blockade, NO. It is the Government of the Cuban Revolution.
I believe and maintain that the number of infections is due to Russian tourism. They refuse to wear masks and what I say is certain because the workers confirm it. It must be demanded, and if they don't comply, they have to be sent back to their country. They have to respect the country's measures. This happens in Mtzas and Camagüey, and there lies the cause of the increase in infections. No matter how much they say otherwise. Currency will come in, but we will continue with the alarming pandemic figures.
It is one lie after another in this country, Russian tourists do not comply with any measures, they walk without masks both in the hotel and on the street.
Of course, the Russians or foreigners are not affected at all; they bring the money to the government and they are the ones bringing COVID to Cuba without masks on the streets, but it’s better to criticize the Cuban. And of course, if they see him without a mask, I don’t know why, but they can even fine him. I don’t know how the minister has the nerve to speak that way, another one who lives in the Castro elite. They should see the conditions of the shelters for Cubans living inside the island: lack of water, lack of hygiene, dirty bathrooms, terrible food, and then the government fills its mouth saying that Cuba belongs to the Cubans—lies upon lies.
I strongly agree with many comments I have read; it makes no sense, nor is there any explanation for how those Russian tourists roam freely around Varadero. I was a witness myself when I was in isolation at the Starfish in Varadero, without leaving the room, pure torture... speechless... I didn’t even know which part of the bed to sleep on... etc. What difference is there between a Russian and one of us? THE RUSSIAN IS FREE, WE ARE PRISONERS, of course, those were the conditions imposed on us to be able to see our family. OUR FAULT TOO... WE CAN’T COMPLAIN MUCH MORE... WE ACCEPTED THOSE CONDITIONS. "FOR THE FAMILY, EVERYTHING.?????" But this strategy is very bad... it was simply an economic mindset. I agree that measures should be taken, but damn????? we are not fools... please rrrrrr let the measures taken be objective, SOME YES—OTHERS NO, I LEAVE THAT AS HOMEWORK.
If it is about Russian tourism, they comply with the 5-day isolation period like others when entering the country, but they do not follow the established protection measures; they do not wear masks or any protection and walk around everywhere, in stores and on the streets. We know that Russia is considered one of the epicenters of the coronavirus. Additionally, Russians do not want to get vaccinated. They should be required to be vaccinated and to use the sanitary protection established in the country to enter Cuba.
The thing is that it lets foreigners walk around freely without masks, even though the use of masks is mandatory here, it has to be the same for everyone who comes. And the thing is that in Cuba, foreigners have more rights than those who live there, which does not happen in other countries.
The thing is that nothing is denied to those who come from abroad and they do whatever they want in Cuba. Now the consequences are paid by those who have been without work for more than 3 months.
Everything is about money, they fine us thousands of pesos and not them, if that isn’t discrimination against our own people, I don’t know what is??
It's not because of the Russians. I am a witness to their discipline, they don't crowd, they don't form groups, they go to sleep early, at the entrance of the restaurant they use their protectors, discard them and replace them. Continuously. My opinion is that it is in the interior of the province where social distancing is not respected.
Let me guess. You are a card-carrying, flag-waving communist. Probably have been a party member all your life. You probably receive the food packages and all the royalties the Communist Government members get and live like a king while the True Cuban people just get by and are barely able to survive or try to find and enjoy happiness.
What I don't understand is why the Russians don't do the quarantine that we Cubans have to do, locked in a room for 7 days, paying in MLC, and they, who infect us because they are on the plane without protection, go straight to enjoying the hotel, drinking, beach beach, pool pool. Can someone explain to me what the difference is? Before, the isolation was free or in MN. Now we pay in MLC and there is a class difference. I don't understand, please someone calm me down.
Lisandra, you are very right, everything you have said is the pure truth.
I’m going to tell you something for those who don’t know. We Cubans who arrive through Varadero have to pay very expensive packages in MLC. And when we get to the hotel, we are locked in the room without going out even to the hallway, and the hotels we go to do not have the best living conditions. Unlike the Russian tourists who come with the same negative PCR as us and go to their hotels freely without any problem. So don’t involve the Cubans and look closely at what is happening.
The situation in Cuba regarding medicine and food is very worrying; sometimes we feel sick from something else and we don’t have a single pill.
And did they really believe that they are going to say it is because of that??? Hmmm
I don’t understand… And I’m not going to understand why we Cuban citizens who come doubly vaccinated and from a European zone where the incidence is less than 22 in a country with 85 million inhabitants, have to quarantine for 6 days, while tourists from Russia… considered a high-risk zone, only have to quarantine for 24 hours and can continue enjoying their vacations and hotel facilities. What’s the difference?… Why isn’t the origin of a passenger taken into account? Why isn’t the quarantine the same for everyone for 24 hours?… There are many questions I would like to ask!
Of course there must be a resurgence in the province!! You have to see the tourists. They walk through the streets without masks and there is no authority to enforce respect, I assure you of that because I see it, and another thing is that they go on tours with their guides and the only ones wearing masks are the poor Cubans, who according to the government are to blame for spreading the pandemic. I ask, is Cuba ours, the Cubans', or is it for foreigners? Why so much retaliation against those who take care of themselves and no one controls the tourists?? What is the fear that foreign currency won't come in if the established rules are required?? We have to think more about health and not money. Regards, and I hope not to offend anyone. Thank you.
1 - I remember that when the border opened, the residents and Cuban Americans went there to Cuba and many of us blamed the outbreak. I had many colleagues who argued with me, saying it's not like that, but well, we Cubans are right with the arrogance that characterizes us. The blame was always on the Cuban Americans. Now no one can tell the truth, that the Russians are not to blame, of course, because the Russians are enemies of the USA. In the end, the incompetents of those tyrants have made things hit rock bottom. That's why democracy is important because it is what decides. Notice that the world is like this because of authoritarian governments, China, Russia, etc.
They open them up and allow entry to Russian tourism, because it seems that American tourism is the only one that transmits the virus here in the country, yet on the other hand there are many people at 60 at home without working and they say there is a shortage of workers in the tourism sector. We continue to do badly and the blame lies with countless bad decisions made over time.
Yes, the biggest lie the Cuban government told the people is that they were limiting flights from the Americas and the Caribbean countries because they were spreading the virus. Yet those flights are still suspended or canceled altogether BUT the flights from Russia are 4 times a week with arrogant Russians who do not respect the Cuban people or safety precautions because they think of Cuba as Russia’s little dog that will do whatever mother Russia says for fear of not getting Russian tourist money.
Personally, I believe that Russia has some deal with the Cuban government that all wealthy Russians exposed to COVID-19 can come to Cuba and get vaccinated at the same time they recover from COVID-19. That’s the only thing that makes sense. Because VERY few from other countries make it to Cuba with a false PCR test result…
Good afternoon, the issue with foreigners, especially Russians, is concerning. They are allowed to roam public spaces without masks, they have high priority in stores and public spaces without respecting the line that may exist among Cubans, and when questioned, the response is "that's what is established." Bad, very bad. Of course, if they are positive, they are spreading coronavirus everywhere. That income is needed but not at the cost of any sacrifice and risk. With respect, I offer my modest opinion and hope it is not too late to reverse the situation in Matanzas. Regards
We are going to criticize them to help ourselves by fulfilling our part, whoever it may be. The state spends a lot to save us, and there is a lot of irresponsibility. Let's be conscious.
No to indiscipline. It costs the state a lot and that should be valued more than our lives.
You are just another Communist party member yelling the party line and not discussing or even talking about the real issue. Are the Russian tourists responsible for the increase in COVID-19 cases in the tourist hotspots?
There is indiscipline everywhere, poor demands, we must not let our guard down. I am from the Isle of Youth and although we currently have no positive cases, there were some because of that, indiscipline. They do not take the measures as they should, they do not comply with what is established. Measures must be taken for everyone, from wherever, both health personnel and the people. The fear has been lost, with so many deaths appearing daily. Here, there hasn’t been chlorine for a while and then they say to disinfect hands. Whose fault is it? This needs to be analyzed. Are we or are we not? Let’s be conscious with ourselves, let’s take care of ourselves.
Chlorine!!!! I have never been able to buy it since the beginning of the Pandemic and behind my building there are two people who sell the bottle for 20.00 and everyone goes to buy from them because they don't sell it anywhere else. In 2 years they sold it twice and that's it, and they demand that you disinfect yourself just like the disinfectant liquid. I know someone who sells it for 200.00, called Pepino. The Government should imprison half of the Cubans. This situation has turned many into merchants exploiting the needs of the People.
But the question itself was never answered, they just gave water to the domino.
The foreign tourists in Varadero, whether Russian or African, etc., are walking without masks on the street.
They enter the stores without a mask and no one demands that they wear one. Of course there has to be a resurgence in Varadero and the hospitals to be overwhelmed and the people of Varadero infested in their homes without medicine or medical care. This place is full of foreigners; they walk around all day however they please, but no one cares about that. What matters here is trying to suck as many dollars as possible from the tourists while the people are left lamenting.
100 agreed my buddy