Introduction:

Since the appearance of the first cases of COVID-19 in China, the Cuban Government, together with the Ministry of Public Health and the General Staff of Civil Defense, approved the "Plan for Prevention and Control of the new coronavirus (COVID-19)" with the measures for the control of the epidemic in the country.

Objective:

To describe the main characteristics of the strategy to confront the COVID-19 epidemic in Cuba in 2020.

Methods:

Scientific articles and websites of Cuban international organizations, the government and the press were consulted. From the information collected, the analysis was carried out on the actions implemented by the Cuban government and its institutions to confront the COVID 19 epidemic in 2020.

Results:

An epidemiological alert system was implemented, all mechanisms for clinical epidemiological surveillance and those related to International Sanitary Control were reinforced, and provincial and municipal Defense Councils were activated in support of confrontation actions. Social participation and intersectoriality have been pillars in the fight against the epidemic. Science and innovation have also been linked to government management.

Conclusions:

Among the characteristics of the strategy adopted by the government's management, training, epidemiological surveillance and active research, are highlighted under a protocol of action and effective communication that is applied throughout the country and integrates all sectors of Cuban society.