TORONTO — Cuba says its so-called ‘hotel hospitals’ have been phased out, with an eye to offering more comfort to those testing positive for COVID-19 while visiting the island.

Cuba’s Ministry of Tourism said the move to eliminate the hotel hospitals, i.e. government-designated facilities for COVID-positive quarantines, took effect Jan. 8, 2022.

Visitors to Cuba who test positive for COVID-19 can now isolate in the same hotel they’re already staying at, but in a different section or block. The rooms selected are separated from the rest of the hotel and being overseen by medical personnel.

Says Lessner Gomez, Director of the Cuba Tourist Board in Canada: “It’s great that we are able to accommodate our clients this time around and offer them a chance to follow the isolation protocols on-site, where they can enjoy the same level of comfort as the hotel they chose for their holidays.

“We understand that testing positive while abroad is a big stress for our visitors, so it is very important for us to lessen their concern, and offer for their isolation period, the same type of accommodation, WiFi, food and services they booked for their stay,” he added.

This month Cuba is administering booster shots to its entire population in an effort to keep omicron at bay. “As we continue to surf through the present wave, Canadians visiting the island can have the highest certainty that they are not only going to have a great holiday but also a safer one,” said Gomez.