Cuba scraps face masks rule after over 2 years

Havana, May 31 (EFE).- Cubans were allowed on Tuesday to walk around without face masks for the first time in over two years after the government scrapped the mandatory use of face coverings to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The lifting of the restriction was welcomed by some Cubans, who couldn’t wait to take the face covering off due to the summer heat, but many chose to still wear face masks out of habit while others believed it is too soon to relax rules.

Health authorities have said that the wearing of face masks would remain a “personal decision” but strongly recommended people to continue covering their faces in crowded places where social distancing could not be respected.

Face coverings will still be mandatory in medical establishments and people with acute respiratory infections are strongly advised to use face masks in all public spaces.

Cuba registered 32 new infections on Monday and no new deaths, one of the lowest figures since November 2020, indicating Covid-19 infections are slowing steadily.

A total of 89.9% of Cuba’s 11.2 million residents have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, most having received the Cuban-made vaccines Abdala, Soberana 02 and Soberana Plus.

Cuba has also eased travel restrictions with tourists entering the country no longer required to present a negative PCR test or vaccination certificate. EFE

lpd/mp/jt