High demand for Miami flights to Cuba after regime reopens island for tourism

Flights loaded with passengers departed Monday from Miami bound for Cuba, on the first day the island reopened its doors to international tourism following the closure of its borders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Miami International Airport (MIA) counters were jammed with travelers flying to Cuba who would no longer have to undergo mandatory quarantine or show negative tests for the coronavirus, reports EFE.

As of this Monday, people will be able to fly with a negative test performed within the last 72 hours, a measure that caused a high demand for travel to Cuba.

Testimonies collected by Telemundo 51 show that many travelers paid up to $1,800 for a ride that only takes about 45 minutes.

The flights were largely occupied by Cuban-born people carrying medicine and food to their relatives. Passengers had large suitcases containing clothes, groceries, toiletries and other necessities, they said.

The opening to international tourism coincided with the mass protest mobilization scheduled by the Archipelago group for November 15, and resulted in some setbacks and cancellations, some travelers told the television network.

The peaceful march in Cuba for the freedom of the nation was obstructed by the Cuban regime, which tried to prevent the demonstration with the militarization of the country, acts of repudiation and arrests the day before November 15. In many instances, police were filmed surrounding the homes of dissident leaders to ensure they could not physically leave or get to demonstration locations. 

According to the Cuban communist regime, the easing of sanitary measures in the country is due to the massive vaccination program against COVID-19. The regime has said it predicts there will be an island-wide immunization of 90% in the island by the end of the month.