Havana, October 14 (RHC)-- The United States government has announced a new package of measures in connection with Cuba, mainly in the fields of health an scientific cooperation.

Reports in the U.S. media quote a senior administration official saying the measure, contained in a 12 page document, build on and consolidate changes the U.S. administration has made since rapprochement between the United States and Cuba began in December 2014, and would be “the manual that will be used by various agencies” to guide them in their relations with Cuba.

The official said a newly released presidential directive supersedes any previous presidential directives on Cuba and stands as U.S.-Cuba policy.

The presidential directive issued by President Barack Obama today reportedly seeks to cement U.S. policy changes toward Cuba.  The directive is said to take a comprehensive and whole-of-government approach to promote engagement with the Cuban government and people, seeking to make the U.S. opening to Cuba irreversible.

The new rules are said to allow Cubans and Americans to engage in joint medical research and lift monetary limits on the amount of Cuban products Americans can bring back in their luggage for personal use.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control is also reportedly expected to lift its restriction prohibiting foreign ships from entering a U.S. port to load or unload cargo for a period of 180 days after calling on a Cuban port.

The new regulations on Cuba take effect Monday, when they are published in the Federal Register.