English Translation Follows Spanish-Frank

From: listafs@gruposyahoo.com <listafs@gruposyahoo.com> on behalf of Milagros Rivera dahumara@yahoo.com [listafs] <listafs@gruposyahoo.com> Sent: Friday, March 20, 2020 7:59 PM
Subject: [ListaFS] CUBA RESTRINGIRA LA ENTRADA DE EXTRANJEROS POR UN MES A PARTIR DEL 24 MARZO

Gobierno cubano informa nuevas medidas para el enfrentamiento a la COVID-19 

Cuba regula las fronteras para visitantes extranjeros – a partir del martes 24 de marzo 2020- con excepción de cubanos y extranjeros residentes nacionales. Igualmente afirma el Presidente Diaz Canel, que se seguirá cooperando con ayuda médica a los países que lo soliciten. Se les dará servicio de retorno aéreo a los turistas que se encuentran en el país. Cuba NO cierra su espacio aéreo, ni el intercambio comercial. En estos momentos, se explican las medidas de protección social, con todos los detalles.

http://www.cubadebate.cu/…/gobierno-cubano-informa-nuevas…/…

[Draft English Translationfollows, Frank Velgara]

From Cuba Debate, Friday, March 20,2020

Government of Cuba announces new measures to confront the COVID-19 (Corona Virus) Video included.

Rosa María Fernández

Cuba will restrict entry to its borders for foreign visitors – Beginning on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 – with the exception of Cubans and foreign residents in the country. Similarly, President Diaz Canel, confirmed that medical aid cooperation will continue with the countries that request it. Airline return service will be provided to tourists who find themselves in the country. Cuba WILL NOT close its air space, nor its’ commercial trade. At this time, these social protection measures are being further explained in complete detail.

http://www.cubadebate.cu/…/gobierno-cubano-informa-nuevas…/…

Party Political Bureau approves modification of annual plan of national events and commemorations
The decision applies to events of a national, provincial and local character of the Young Communist League, as well, (which has already announced the postponement of its 11th Congress), mass and social organizations and those organized by municipal and provincial Party committees

Author: Granma | internet@granma.cu
march 20, 2020 08:03:49

Photo: Juvenal Balán
In accordance with the measures adopted in the country to combat Covid-19, the Political Bureau decided to significantly modify the Party’s plan of national events and commemorations this year, to avoid promoting activities that involve large groups of people.

The approved modification suggests suspension or postponement of planned activities, or commemoration in a more modest fashion, as alternatives to massive events, based on a specific analysis of each of the events planned through July.

As for the events related to historical dates or personalities, they will be commemorated in all cases on the date scheduled, with reduced participation, without massive mobilizations, and will be adequately reflected in the mass media.

The decision applies to events of a national, provincial and local character of the Young Communist League, as well, (which has already announced the postponement of its 11th Congress), mass and social organizations and those organized by municipal and provincial Party committees.

With regard to May Day and July 26th events, the Political Bureau will inform our people of specific decisions to be adopted, in a timely fashion.

Cuba on guard to prevent spreading of new coronavirus 

The confirmation of a fifth case of Covid-19 was reported during a meeting, yesterday afternoon, to review the situation, led by the President of the Republic and Prime Minister

Yaima Puig Menesesmarch 17, 2020 08:03:17

Cuba has equipped all ports of entry with advanced technology to monitor individuals arriving and detect any sign of Covid-19 infection. Photo: Ariel Cecilio Lemus Alvarez
Led by President of the Republic Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, another meeting took place yesterday afternoon to review the Covid-19 situation, where Minister of Public Health José Ángel Portal Miranda confirmed a fifth case of the virus in Cuba.

According to the minister, a Cuban patient, 63 years of age, resident in the Havana municipality of Diez de Octubre, who returned to the island from Spain on March 8, began to exhibit symptoms on the 11th. He sought medical attention on the 12th, and was hospitalized immediately. To date, Portal stated, “The patient has mild symptoms and is in stable condition.”

Regarding cases previously diagnosed, Portal reported that one of the Italian tourists, 61 years of age and with a history of bronchial asthma, began to exhibit complications on March 15, and is currently in critical condition.

The other three patients, he said, are in stable condition at Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine. Individuals who had direct contact with these patients and passengers on the same flight from Italy are under observation and have shown no signs of infection, he stressed.

The minister said that since January 25, 470 individuals have been hospitalized for observation and 21,968 patients are being monitored by their primary care physicians. At the time of the meeting, 373 patients had been admitted for epidemiological surveillance, 145 from abroad and 228 Cubans.

Cuba will accept and assist travelers on British cruise ship MS Braemar
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Statement

Author: MINREX | internet@granma.cu
march 16, 2020 12:03:43

Photo: MINREX
On March 13, the government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland requested that Cuban authorities allow the Fred Olsen cruise line’s MS Braemar to dock in a Cuban port with a small number of travelers with the new coronavirus (SARS CoV 2/Covid-19), and assist in their repatriation by air.

Given the urgency of the situation and the risk to the lives of the sick passengers, the Cuban government has decided to allow the docking of this vessel and will adopt established sanitary measures to receive all citizens on board, in accordance with protocols established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Cuban Ministry of Public Health.

In conjunction with British authorities, arrangements have been made, once the travelers arrive, for their safe and immediate return to the United Kingdom on charter flights.

These are times of solidarity, of understanding health as a human right, of strengthening international cooperation to face our common challenges, values that are key to the humanist practices of the Revolution and of our people.

Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Havana, March 16, 2020