11 March – The first three cases of COVID-19 in Cuba were confirmed, all of whom were Italian tourists.[1]
16 March – The cruise ship MS Braemar, with over 1,000 passengers and crew on board, is given permission to berth in Cuba after being rejected by The Bahamas. At least five passengers tested positive for COVID-19. British citizens were able to take flights home after both governments reached an agreement on their repatriation.[2]
30 July – The government announces economic reforms giving more freedom to private businesses.[3]
27 August – The governor of Havana announces a curfew and travel ban to curb the spread of COVID-19.[4]
1 September
Cuba establishes a curfew and other strict measures to deal with the spread of the virus.[5]
14 September – With the addition of 12 health workers in Togo, Cuba has sent 4,000 health workers to 40 countries during the pandemic. Human Rights Watch and the government of the United States have complained because the workers involved have received only a small part of the money paid by the host countries; Cuba sees this as a type of tax to finance its universal health care. Cuba reports 4,684 cases and 108 deaths related to the virus.[7]
10 December – President Miguel Diaz-Canel says Cuba will eliminate its dual exchange rate in January and have a fixed exchange rate of 24 pesos/US dollar. This is the first devaluation since 1959.[8]
Years in Cuba (1741–present)