Canada escalates risk level in Cuba travel advisory update
Amid a worsening crisis driven by ongoing shortages, Canada has upgraded its Cuba travel advisory, urging tourists to avoid any “non-essential travel.”
The Government of Canada updated its Cuba travel advice on Wednesday, Feb. 11, from yellow, which means “exercise a high degree of caution,” to orange. The new risk level warning applies nationwide and states, “Avoid non-essential travel to Cuba due to worsening fuel shortages.”
The country is also facing shortages of electricity and basic necessities, including food, water, and medicine, “which could affect resorts.” And fuel shortages may disrupt or make ground transportation unpredictable.
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“As a result, all Canadian airlines have suspended service to Cuba for upcoming trips,” reads the advisory. “Canadian airlines will facilitate the return of their clients currently in Cuba and are reaching out directly to them.”
Since fuel will no longer be available in any of the island’s airports, carriers arriving in the country must carry extra fuel, stop in other countries, or cancel flights, according to Reuters.
Canadians are being advised to confirm their flight details and to avoid extending their stay.
On Monday, Air Canada announced that it’s suspending service to Cuba. Upcoming trips to Cuba will be cancelled, and customers will automatically receive a full refund. In an email to Daily Hive, the airline said it’s operating empty flights to Cuba to pick up around 3,000 passengers to return them home.
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WestJet also stated in an email that it has activated its Flex Change/Cancel policy, allowing travellers to Cuba to adjust their plans without penalty. The representative also stated that Sunwing.ca has been updated with flexible travel options for Sunwing Vacations guests.
Al JazeeraĀ reports that Cuba’s energy crisis stems from the U.S. oil blockade, which has forced the government to ration fuel and limit the availability of electricity each day. The shortage has disrupted daily life across the island nation of 11 million people, affecting transportation and leading to shorter school days and reduced workweeks.