The Cuban archipelago, a tourist destination par excellence, activates the reopening protocols for the leisure industry, in an environment of strict prevention in the presence of Covid-19.

The suspension of air connections, the evacuation of tourists from the country and the closure of borders aim to lay the foundations for a progressive recovery process.

This way, with safety and protective measures, the Jardines del Rey international airport, in Cayo Coco, received the first commercial flight in Cuba in the post-COVID-19 recovery stage.

Upon arrival at the air terminal in the northern keys of Ciego de Avila, visitors from Montreal, Canada, were examined by medical personnel to detect any respiratory symptoms and underwent a real-time PCR test and temperature measurement.

On the occasion, the Memories Caribe, Memories Flamenco and Playa Paraíso hotels were set up, all of which belong to the Gaviota hotel group and were certified with the status of Most Hygienic and Safe Tourism, granted by health authorities.

As a new element, international tourism was resumed only in the north and south keys, according to demand, including Cayo Santa María, Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo, Cayo Cruz and Cayo Largo del Sur.

In addition, each hotel has implemented a group of hygienic-sanitary and biosafety protocols to protect workers and guests from a possible spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

In that sense, physical distancing, hand disinfection and means to inform tourists about the health measures that they must comply with during their stay in the destination are in place.

According to legend, precisely the exuberant nature of Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo and Paredón Grande led Governor Diego Velázquez to name this place after Spanish King Ferdinand the Catholic.

The largest islet, Cayo Coco, occupies the fourth position in extension in the Cuban archipelago, with an area of 370 square kilometers and the additional attraction that it offers 22 kilometers of excellent beaches, complemented by a vegetation of mangroves and coconut trees.

In the family of keys in the region, Cayo Guillermo is one of the smallest, with just 18 square kilometers in area, although it has an exuberant flora that also includes species such as mahogany, copperwood and junipers.

Cayo Guillermo's territory has five kilometers of beautiful beaches among the main attractions, one of them named El Pilar in honor of the yacht of the same name owned by world-famous US novelist Ernest Hemingway, with the additional feature of having dunes up to 16 meters high.

The proximity of a 400 kilometer coral reef, considered by experts the second most important in the world -after the one in Australia- adds a touch of distinction to the offer of Jardines del Rey, with the most varied diving activities for diving enthusiasts, in waters with a pleasant temperature and excellent visibility.

Cuba has one of the strongest attractions in its sun and beach options, with dozens of kilometers of excellent beaches of warm and crystal-clear waters.