Havana, March 24 (RHC)-- Cuban Minister of Transport, Eduardo Rodriguez, told the press on Tuesday that in compliance with the State's new measures on COVID-19, it is in the interest of the transporters to contribute to the protection of the population.

He added that it is mandatory to avoid trips, for which air, rail and land transportation - the latter of interprovincial buses - will cease since the early hours of Wednesday. Only cases of force majeure will be authorized to travel between provinces.

The transportation minister insisted that the population has three months to seek full reimbursement of the air and bus fares and that only one plane will leave the island Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. for cargo and authorized passengers to the Isle of Youth.

Regarding residents of the country arriving from abroad, Eduardo Rodriguez said that they will be transported directly to isolation centers and that family or friends will not be allowed to welcome them at airports.

Regarding local transportation, the ministers announced that passengers would have to wear face masks.