Cuba closes airports, Oct. 28 and Oct. 29, as it prepares for Hurricane Melissa

Cuba has implemented measures to safeguard tourists, staff, and facilities in the eastern part of the country as it prepares for the arrival of Hurricane Melissa. Precautionary actions have been taken at the airports in Santiago de Cuba and Holguin which will be temporarily closed on Tues., Oct. 28, and Wed., Oct. 29.

Gihana Galindo, Director of the Cuba Tourist Board, said: “The safety of our clients is paramount. Cuba is experienced in dealing with natural disasters, and we have an immediate organizational structure in place to respond to this climatological event.”

And Galindo added: “Our internationally recognized Civil Defense is coordinating all necessary human and material resources to protect the population and infrastructure.”

Hurricane Melissa is forecast to pass through the southeastern part of Cuba, affecting the provinces of Guantanamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma and Holguín on Tuesday night (Oct. 28) and Wednesday morning (Oct. 29).

All other popular tourist destinations, including Jardines del Rey (Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo, Cayo Paredon, and Cayo Cruz), Varadero, Cayo Santa María, Cayo Largo del Sur, Cienfuegos, and Trinidad, are operating normally.