Cuba receives first commercial flight

Havana's international airport received its first commercial passengers in almost eight months Sunday, final step in a return to a "new rmal" government hopes will help revive island's ailing ecomy. A Copa Airlines flight from Panama touched down at approximately 1:45 PM (18:45 GMT) to applause and fanfare, bringing 20 Cuban passengers from Panama, first of many flights scheduled in coming week.

Cuban authorities say if all goes well, y hope airport will resume its busy pre-pandemic schedule with dozens of flights and thousands of passengers per week, reviving a moribund tourism sector and galvanizing private businesses. Passengers submitted to a Covid-19 PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test upon arrival, n must self-quarantine for five days and take an ditional test before being completely cleared to undertake rmal public activities.

Airports on rest of island were re-opened in September, leaving Havana international facility last to start operations, an important step forward for a return to rmalcy. Health authorities say protocols established for arriving passengers should be rigorous eugh to stem potential spikes in infection rates on island, which has seen more than 7,590 cases with 131 deaths since pandemic broke out last March.