Havana, March 31 (RHC)—Prime Minister Manuel Marrero announced Tuesday that Cuba is suspending the arrival of international commercial and charter flights. Airports will exclusively remain opened for exceptional flights, emergencies, and trade.

In the meantime, the Prime Minister announced that foreign vessels that still are on territorial waters had been given 48 hours to leave.

At the meeting, attended by Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, Marrero explained that this measure will come into effect on Thursday,

Marrero noted that if in that period any crew or passengers have any health issue, or if any of the vessels have any technical difficulties that would hinder their departure, Cuban authorities would exceptionally allow them to access an international marina, and passengers would be isolated accordingly.

Since the establishment of the National Plan to confront COVID-19, authorities have adopted some 230 measures to confront the novel Coronavirus pandemic.

Cuban top authorities meet daily to assess the status of the COVID-19 spread on the island.