«The Cuban mousetrap», or how Russian tourists got stuck on the island due to suspicion of Covid-19

Kremlin relations

On July 5, it became known that most of the Russian tourists are isolated on suspicion of contracting coronavirus infection in Cuba, have a negative result or were vaccinated in Russia.

Earlier, about 150 tourists from Russia were isolated when arriving in Cuba. They were suspected of having a coronavirus, but according to the statements of the tourists themselves, many of them do not have any symptoms and have previously been vaccinated. The tourists themselves report that all provided negative PCR tests made on the day of arrival, but the Cuban authorities still suspect the predominant part of the arrivals of the disease. 

Among the passengers of the flight on June 30, tests showed a positive result in 133 people, and among those who arrived in Cuba before June 29, 14 Russians were in hotels with a confirmed coronavirus infection.

Photo: AFP/YAMIL LAGE

A vacation without leaving the hotel

Tourists in social networks said that none of them is sick with coronavirus, especially since many of them have been vaccinated or received certificates about the presence of antibodies and the results of PCR tests. None of them complains of feeling unwell or unwell.

According to the tourists, they were placed in rooms without water, and the food that was brought in plastic boxes turned out to be dry and tasteless. The frightened tourists were told that only those who have a negative result will be able to go back. Three days later, the Russians were moved to another hotel, where the conditions were quite acceptable, but they are still in isolation.

“You can imagine the degree of indignation of our tourists, because this is a very difficult situation. We cannot explain what this is due to: the Cubans do not comment, we can only come to the conclusion that something is wrong in the laboratories,” — said Nana Mgeladze, Consul General of Russia in Cuba.

She also added that the Cuban authorities wanted to send Russians with a positive test for coronavirus to a special observatory hotel, however, diplomats convinced them to leave tourists in hotels. 

Photo: REUTERS

Cuban doctors in the resort of Varadero, where more than 100 Russian tourists with the detected coronavirus are in isolation, have started rapid testing to speed up the resolution of the problem. For health reasons and the absence of symptoms, on the evening of July 5, 106 Russian tourists in Cuba were removed from the isolation regime.

“As for correcting the situation, this will happen only due to the fact that our citizens will have to take tests again,” — Mgeladze told TASS.

“Let’s remember this vacation for the rest of our lives”

Moreover, Russian tourists who have fallen into this situation and are quarantined in Cuba won’t be able to count on compensation from tour operators. 

“You should not count on any compensation for tourists. These are medical issues and insurance. If you get sick, these are your risks, just like with other diseases.” — said director of the association “Turpomosch” Alexander Osaulenko about isolated Russian tourists. — Rospotrebnadzor has taken the situation under control.” 

On June 25, the Federal Tourism Agency recommended buying insurance against coronavirus when traveling abroad. According to the representative, without insurance, there is a huge risk of being left without medical care or its cost will be significantly higher than the trip itself. 

“This is a situation in which all tourists heading to Cuba were warned…I understand that this is unpleasant, especially when there are no symptoms, but, nevertheless, these are the rules, ” — said Maya Lomidze, executive director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia.

inst: Katerina Tyuleneva

The Cuban Ambassador to Russia, Julio Garmendia, on July 5, at a meeting at the Foreign Ministry, said that the country’s authorities are solving the problem “in order to provide Russian tourists with conditions of stay and rest on the island.” 

The incidence rates in Cuba have increased dramatically recently, and the number of cases detected daily has increased to 3.5 thousand, and in Havana this indicator is stable, and in the province the figures reach a maximum.

Russia resumed air traffic with Cuba in October 2020. According to the Russian Consulate General, four Russian airlines are now flying steadily to Cuba. They operate 12 flights a week. At the beginning of July this year, about six thousand Russians were vacationing in the resorts of Cuba.