Dr. Francisco Duran, Cuba's Chief Epidemiologist. PL Photo

Havana, November 29 (RHC)--The Cuban Ministry of Public Health today announced health control measures for international travelers given the presence in other countries of a new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, known as Ómicron.

Francisco Durán, national director of Epidemiology, said that these measures will be implemented from December 4.

Visitors from Botswana, Mozambique, Lesotho, South Africa, Namibia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Eswatini (former Swaziland), countries where this strain has already been reported, must present a document showing that they have a complete vaccination schedule.

Samples for PCR will be taken upon arrival, but they will also have to show the negative result of the last one performed 72 hours before traveling to the Caribbean island, explained Durán.

They will have to spend a seven-day quarantine in a hotel set aside for that purpose, where the passenger will pay lodging and transportation expenses.

A second PCR will be performed on the sixth day at the facility, and if the test is negative on the seventh day, they will be discharged, said Durán.

Meanwhile, travelers from Israel, Belgium, Hong Kong, Egypt, Turkey, and the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa will also comply with these measures except quarantine and a second PCR.