Toronto, August 8 (RHC)-- Air Canada is set to resume flights to Cuba starting in September, teeing up the destination for a possibly healthy winter season.

In statements to Travelweek magazine, Air Canada Vacations’ Managing Director, Nino Montagnese, confirmed that flights from Toronto and Montreal to Cayo Coco would resume next month, with additional destinations in Cuba to be announced in the coming weeks.

"Cuba has always been a key strategic destination for Air Canada Vacations. Canadians have always enjoyed safe travel to Cuba. The Cuban government has implemented all the right safety protocols to keep our customers safe. When you include Air Canada CleanCare+, we are confident our customers are in good hands,” Montagnese said.

Cuba first lifted its travel restrictions on July 1, reopening hotels in the Cayos – Cayo Santa María, Cayo Guillermo, Cayo Coco, Cayo Cruz and Cayo Largo del Sur – to international tourists only. 

Lessner Gomez, Director of the Cuba Tourist Board in Toronto, told Travel week that all international visitors would be required to take a free PCR COVID-19 test upon arrival at the airport and undergo temperature checks and wear a mask at the airport and during their transfers. 

Visitors will await their results, which will take approximately 24 hours, at their designated hotel; if positive, they will be transferred to a small hospital in the area where they will receive treatment.

Mandatory pre-testing, as has been the trend in other Caribbean destinations, will not be required.