Two exceptional measures for the benefit of the Cuban population come into effect today

HAVANA, Cuba, Jul 19 (ACN) Two sensitive measures that confirm the Cuban state’s willingness to take into account public opinion come into force today: the granting of a ration book to those who are temporarily away from their provinces, and the permission for natural persons to import, duty-free, any amount of food, toiletries and medicines.

In addition to responding to popular demands, both decisions have in common their validity until December 31, 2021, their exceptional nature due to pandemic-related restrictions, and the U.S. blockade as the cause of the scarcity of resources, not to mention that in spite of all this the regulated family shopping basket is still guaranteed to millions of Cubans.

As of today, the Consumer Registration Offices, known as OFICODAs, will be busy with the applications for and delivery of the said books to those currently living outside their provinces of origin. So will be the airport—barring the international ones in Varadero Beach and Cayo Coco—even if COVID-19 has forced a reduction in the number of flights.

Minister of Domestic Trade Betsy Díaz Velázquez explained that more than 200,000 people will benefit from this permission, since many of them are living in rentals and therefore ineligible for the regulated products.

Regarding the importation of duty-free foods, toiletries and medicines by Cuban and foreign visitors, their only weight limits will be those established by the relevant airlines.

The new import conditions are laid down in Resolution 309, published in the Extraordinary Official Gazette No. 62. According to Meisi Bolaños Weiss, Minister of Finance and Prices, Cuba took similar measures in 2008 due to the damages caused by several hurricanes.
Travelers arriving through Cayo Coco and Varadero Beach—who are compelled, as any other inbound traveler, to go out of the tourist facilities where they are staying—can only bring one suitcase, pursuant to the health protocols in force since July 15 as a result of the epidemiological situation and the efforts to tackle COVID-19 transmission in the country.