HAVANA (Reuters) – Cuba is allowing a staggered opening from Friday of restaurants, shopping centres and beaches in provinces that have lowered coronavirus cases even as it battles some of the highest nationwide rates of infection per capita worldwide.

As the Caribbean’s cash-strapped island nation prepares for its tourism high season, it announces that lockdown restrictions will be eased. This is in addition to plans by Cuba to bring money into its economy.

Inbound travellers will be able to fly more and receive COVID-19 certificates of vaccination from the government, in addition to a November PCR test.

Betsy Diaz, Interior Commerce Minister said that “in recent days we determined the conditions to gradually reopen most of these in-person service.”

Coronavirus infection rates began falling after the peak in the summer, according to health officials. They raced for vaccine availability by vaccinating more than 90% with COVID-19 vaccines.

In Havana alone, they have vaccinated 86.5% of the population.

Authorities selected 533 companies that might now be able to provide in-person assistance in the capital, which includes 315 restaurants. Up until now, delivery was not allowed for eateries.

Cuba requested the World Health Organization earlier this month to begin the process of officially recognising its vaccines. This would represent a significant recognition, as data from the late-phase trials have not been published in peer-reviewed journals.

The virus has already overwhelmed healthcare facilities across the country in those provinces which have started vaccination campaigns since Havana.

Cuba faces a pandemic-related crisis as well. The country is facing shortages in medicines due to a drop in assistance from Venezuela and a tightening U.S. restrictions over decades. This also comes on top of a declining aid budget.