On Nov. 15, Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero announced that Cuba have opened international borders and resume tourism activities, adapting to the new normal after nearly two years.

In an interview with Times Magazine on this occasion, Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Orlando Nicolás Hernández Guillén shared Cuba's achievements in Covid-19 prevention and treatment and that Cuba is always ready to share its successes in vaccine production with Vietnam.

Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Orlando Nicolás Hernández Guillén. Photo: VNT

Cuba's brilliant achievements

Cuba is one of the countries heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Cuba has recorded 8,279 deaths from COVID-19 since the first case was detected on Mar. 10 2020. However, it has an impressive number of cured cases at 948,253, reaching the rate of 98.9%.

Major factors contributing to Cuba's success are making the control of the COVID-19 pandemic a top priority. The Government and State leaders closely monitor the situation daily and weekly, thereby taking the most practical measures.

Cuban scientists have made great efforts to produce vaccines and medication against SARS-CoV-2 virus. Cuban biotech industry we successfully produced five the COVID-19 vaccines, in which Abdala, Soberana 2 and Soberana Plus have been licensed for public use.

In particular, studies show that Abdala vaccine is effective in preventing COVID-19 at 92.28%,. This is a very high level of effectiveness that only 4 other vaccines in the world can achieve.

In September 2021, Cuba became the first country in the world to launch a mass vaccination campaign for children aged 2-11, using the Soberana 02 vaccine. Delta variant also had a serious impact on Cuba but since the introduction of vaccination for adults and children (ages 2-18) the positive cases of Cuba have decreased significantly.

Cuba is the first country introduced Covid-19 vaccination for children aged 2-18. Photo: AFP

Cuban health system has the capacity to treat diseases as well as to rapidly expand vaccinations for the entire Cuban population. By the end of November 13, Cuba's 3-shot vaccination campaign had reached 83.2% of the country's total population and in just two weeks, this rate is expected to reach over 90%.

The Ambassador referred to Leader Fidel Castro for Cuba's achievements in the fight against COVID-19. Fidel was the one who built the first scientific facilities for the country, laying the foundation for the Cuban scientific and medical foundation.

The new normal

Chỉldren return to school in Havana. Photo: AFP

On Nov. 15, Cuba also reopened schools, welcoming about 700,000 students. This is really a great day of joy for families as well as students in Cuba.

Tourists can freely come to Cuba without having to be quarantined starting Nov. 15. At José Martí airport in the capital La Havana, more than 20 flights while more than 60 in total landed at other international airports on the same day. Cuba expected about 400 flights for this week alone.

Other tourism activities include the 4th World Summit on Accessible Tourism in Cuba in December 202, the Bienal de La art festival and the Habana and International Book Fair in February 2022.

One of the main tasks now is to restore its economy after being heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the US strengthening of embargo measures.

One important measure to make sure that the new normal does not create a new wave of infections, Cuba prepared Covid-19 vaccine booster shots for tourism-related worker, health workers, etc.

Vietnam - Cuba solidarity in Covid-19 fight

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited Cuba in September 2021. Photo: Vietnamplus

Cuba is always ready to share our successes with Vietnam, the Ambassador claimed.

Vietnam is one of the first countries in the world to negotiate cooperation with Cuba to import Abdala vaccine. Currently, Cuban vaccine is now being used by provinces, cities and enterprises in Vietnam.

Cuba is grateful to receive the much needed needles and masks from Vietnam. When President Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited Cuba in September 2021, he announced a decision to present 5,000 tonnes of rice and medical equipment to the Cuban people.

At the same event, 1.05 million doses of Abdala vaccine from Cuba were gifted to Vietnam asdemonstration of Cuba's timely support for Vietnam.

The two countries are also preparing for the vaccine production technology transfer to Vietnam, including vaccines for children aged 2-18.

Vietnam and Cuba are halfway around the world from each other, but the relationship between the two countries has been and will continue to be stronger than ever, said the Ambassador.

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