The adoption by the Temporary Working Group of measures to stop the mass transportation of people between the provinces, combined with the fuel shortages suffered by the nation, forced a new readjustment of that service.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- Luis Enrique Arias Peña, head of the subgroup in charge of this sector in the Provincial Defense Council (CDP) explained that, according to national indications, the National Bus terminal has already been closed in the territory, as well as the service provided by private carriers. From now on, he said, only two daily bus trips to Camagüey and Holguín will be maintained, respectively, transferring patients after coordination with the Public Health authorities.

The also director of the Passenger Transport and General Cargo Company (CARDINAL) clarified that the transfer of cargo between the provinces will continue in operations with the corresponding biosecurity measures and without the movement of people in vehicles destined for the transfer of goods.

LIMITS IN

While the neighboring provinces of Camagüey and Holguín see their epidemiological situation worse, Las Tunas remains in phase three of the post-COVID-19 recovery stage. However, the Provincial Defense Council gave its approval to several steps that, without paralyzing the transport of passengers within the Balcón del Oriente Cubano (Balcony of Eastern Cuba), prevent excessive mobility of people from causing the spread of SARS-CoV-2. These measures take place without the nation's fuel shortages due to the intensification of the US blockade having disappeared, another factor that makes it necessary to optimize the fuel in stock as much as possible.
In this sense, Arias Peña explained that state and private-public passenger transport will continue to operate in urban, rural and inter-municipal areas. In all cases, with a limited capacity per vehicle to all seated passengers and half of those standing. Likewise, he said, the use of the facemask is mandatory for passengers and crew.

Within the city of Las Tunas, he said, for now, horse-drawn carriages, bike cabs and motorcycle taxis will be able to continue working. At the same time, several private carriers will reinforce CARDINAL's limited capacities; which, however, are available for urban routes along with trips at the beginning and end of each day to the municipalities, and twice a week to destinations in rural communities.

The manager reported that several vehicles of the National Bus Company will cover individual routes to the municipalities and CARDINAL's contracts with organizations that can do the same will be reactivated to guarantee the daily transfer of its workers. Those private carriers that this situation forces them to stop their work may temporarily suspend their licenses, he concluded.

On the other hand, the Provincial Defense Council annulled the obligation that drivers of state vehicles stop at stops; however, the popular inspectors will maintain their presence in these places, ensuring compliance with hygiene and distancing regulations. At the same time, the government authorities will make a new evaluation of the state vehicles that are truly essential for the functioning of the economy, so that only these are the ones that remain circulating with the corresponding authorization from the CDP.

In the last 15 days, Las Tunas has not registered new positive cases for SARS-CoV-2; however, the Defense Council issued clear indications to limit the calling of unnecessary meetings in the provincial capital by state institutions and companies. In addition, the design of a staggering of the entry and exit times to the work centers is underway to reduce the crowds at transport stops, which generally occur at 8:00 in the morning and 5:00 in the evening of each day.