The Dominican Republic has established a curfew, which began on Tuesday, July 21, as a result of increasing COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases. The curfew will last for 20 days. In addition, the president of the Dominican Republic declared a 45-day State of Emergency from July 20, 2020.
In Santo Domingo and some of the other larger cities and provinces where cases are surging, according to the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic, the curfew will be from Monday through Friday from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. Beyond Santo Domingo, the National District, Santiago, San Cristóbal, La Vega, Puerto Plata, Duarte, San Pedro de Macorís, La Romana, San Juan de la Maguana, La Altagracia, Azua, Monsignor Noel, Sánchez Ramírez and María Trinidad Sánchez will all be under the curfew, according to Dominican Today.
In some provinces, where the occurrence of the virus is not as high, the curfew will be from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. every day. These include Espaillat, Peravia, Barahona, Monte Plata, Valverde, Hermanas Mirabal, Montecristi, Samaná, Bahoruco, Hato Mayor, El Seibo, Dajabón, Santiago Rodríguez, San José de Ocoa, Elías Piña, Independencia and Pedernales.
Medical care is severely limited with many hospitals at or near full capacity; there is limited availability of ICU beds and hospitalized patients may have an increased risk of exposure to COVID-19. Currently, there is a Level 4 Travel Advisory to not travel to the Dominican Republic due to the impact of COVID-19.
The Dominican government originally lifted the State of Emergency and allowed the resumption of commercial aviation effective July 1; however, there remained some limitations regarding public activities. The DR has been enforcing social distancing measures, banned larger events and public gatherings and suspended all cruise arrivals.
According to the U.S. Embassy, the only entry requirement is a temperature check upon arrival by Dominican authorities. Its Ministry of Health advises of mandatory quarantine or self-quarantine for COVID-19-positive patients.
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