Capital closed off to stamp out spread of coronavirus

HAVANA (AP):

Cuban authorities ordered a strict 15-day lockdown of Havana on Tuesday seeking to stamp out the low-level but persistent spread of the novel coronavirus in the capital.

Aggressive anti-virus measures, including closing down air travel, have virtually eliminated COVID-19 in Cuba with the exception of Havana, where cases have surged from a handful a day to dozens daily over the last month.

Starting Tuesday, Havana is under a 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew. Most stores are barred from selling to shoppers from outside the immediate neighbourhood in order to discourage people from moving around the city.

Some Havana residents complained that the measures were complicating the already-difficult task of buying food in a city stricken by constant shortages and endless lines for a limited supply of basic goods.

“It’s a good cause, getting rid of all of this (coronavirus), but in the end they aren’t going to get rid of the lines”, said Josuel Suárez, a 26-year-old engineer. “The situation was already difficult, and now we are faced with these restrictive measures.”

Others welcomed the tighter control.