COVID-19

MTSnachez seems not to report

I am amazed at the number of people who only look at one number, one day and think we have progress.   And these are supposedly educated people, imagine how hard this is for the uneducated and undereducated!

At best this is overwhelming.  At worst it's a nightmare. 

All we can do is continue repeating the facts and science based information. I have zero tolerance personally for what is going on on the many other online mediums.

Bulletin #57:

Total Confirmed Cases:  11739     Increase: 419
Total Deaths:                        424     Increase:     2
Total Recovered:                 3557    Increase:   206
Total Active Cases:            7758      Increase:   211
Total Hospital:                    1885     ICU:             127
Total PCR Tests:                 50108   Increase:   2334 

Spread of New Cases:   

DN                                                 +138
Azua                                              +10
Barahona                                     +2
Duarte                                          +5
La Altagracia                                +7
La Romana                                   +9
La Vega                                          +12
Maria TS                                        +1
Peravia                                          +2
Puerto Plata                                 +7
Hermanas M                                +2
San Cristobal                                +28
San Juan                                        +6
SPM                                                +1
Sanchez Ramirez                         +5
Santiago                                        +19
Vlaverde                                        +1
Monsenor N                                  +6
Santo Domingo                            +158     

Positive test ratio 18% for reporting day and most regions remain above that and over 3 days there are infections everywhere still. No good signs yet.

ANÁLISIS ESTADÍSTICO DE LA EVOLUCIÓN
DEL VIRUS EN LA REPÚBLICA DOMINICANA COVID-19 INFORME #49

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1l0C_ol … BTnX3/view

Ah, factor of transmission jumps back up with more tests!

I think following figure 5 might give a better understanding of where DR is on transmission as a country, but it would be better to see it regionally too.

The PAHO representative indicated seeing the factor being under 1.0 for a period of 7 days at least would be a positive sign.

For sure we are still going up with no peak yet.

Bulletin #58:

Total Confirmed Cases:   12110      Increase:   371
Total Deaths:                         428      Increase:       4
Total Recovered:                 3726     Increase:    169
Total Active Cases:              7956     Increase:    198
Total ICU:                                135     In Hospital: 1891
Total PCR Tests:                 52359     Increase:    2251     16.5% positive

Spread of New Cases:

DN                                     +95
Azua                                   +4
Duarte                               +12
Espaillat                             +7
La Altagracia                     +12
La Romana                        +8
La Vega                              +11
Maria TS                            +1
Puerto Plata                      +4
San Cristobal                    +31
San Juan                             +1
SPM                                    +1
Sanchez Ramirez               +2
Santiago                             +21
Monsenor N                      +8
Monte Plata                       +1
Santo Domingo                +152

Maybe some progress. I know they did a lot of testing in greater santo domingo yesterday and that is continuing today!

At least with testing numbers daily getting better we are beginning to see a clearer picture but the problem is that we don't know if sufficient testing is taking place in some provinces where numbers tick up steadily but slowly. there may be underlying problems with more cases in such places.

What perhaps is good is that there is a more determined effort to seek out cases in greater Santo Domingo where the test positivity is just over 20%. Transmission is continuing in these densely populated areas as it is in most of the country.

The death rate continues to decline and that is good news but it looks like more hospital beds are being taken up.

I'm watching the test positivity percentage and hope that it continues to drop. This could be a good sign. It is still too high and the increase in mobility we see is a factor behind this stubborn high level for sure. From a medical standpoint, there are no recommendations to open up more right now and knowing Dominicans that could create ideal conditions for rapid uncontrolled spread quickly.  For the sake of this nation not becoming an 'unsafe' country, I do hope the government continue to keep a lid on the spread and maybe conditions for a slow controlled opening up of certain economic activities is possible later this month.

Thinking out side the box on DR tourism.....

I wish someone in government would look at the 'tourist location bubble idea' in terms of a couple of locations in DR now. I think that both Punta Cana and Samana could easily become epidemilogical ring fenced zones with controlled exit and entry protocols in place plus the new tourism protocols being developed and employees contained and monitored heath wise in those zones. Both locations have airports and are important tourism drivers and could present 'safe' conditions that would appeal to the smaller international tourist market that will exist in the coming months and maybe longer. DR will be competing with many Caribbean islands that will be discounting heavily but they will have the advantage of having zero cases of covid19 and as such a 'safer' destination. I keep saying that tourism will not be the same again with protocols in place and governments will want to control and contain tourists when in the country to avoid any uncontrolled spread of the virus again. Keeping visitors in known resorts and on approved excursions with protocols is a way to manage the virus. Independent travel is going to be some way off for those arriving as tourists later this year.

I think that's a good idea Lennox and for sure it won't hurt to try.  The resorts will be more than supportive as they stand to gain or otherwise lose the most.  If we cannot contain the sick then maybe it makes sense to contain the healthy and expand on that rather than to only try to diminish the sick and get no where.

Double barrel shotgun is usually more successful than a single barrel!

The problem with Samana is there are now no more European flights.  Punta Cana is too far for the north coast so you're left with SDQ and POP the latter much preferred by Europeans who are not your holiday maker generally speaking but property owners and others.

Unfortunately with the weight of the US behind a lot of this you end up with flights via the US which of course is of no interest to the humble European.  I remember when I first set foot in DR in 2014 there were many more flights from POP and Samana to Europe.  You do have Condor planning new flights from FRA to POP in November but only to the end of March which no good for many at greatly increased seat rates.

Due to Covid-19 there's been a great deal of speculation about when flights may start up again.  We can but wait and see and hope in the meantime the authorities get to grip this virus.

Ducketts

It seems such a workable idea in the two locations I have identified. The East Coast resorts can be ring fenced and the bulk of the labour and management lives there and in Veron. Samana is easily managed with one road in. Much harder in other areas but possible later.

Already competing nations in the Caribbean with zero cases for weeks are marketing hard and will open up with controls in place such as Antigua which will have quarantine for residents but visitors are confined to hotels./resorts.

DR as a whole is not going to be ready without active vases for a very long time it appears so why not start in two important areas and grow from there? already we are seeing Austria, Germany, Denmark and the Baltic states opening up amongst themselves as a bubble and you have New Zealand and Australia too. Canada is getting control so maybe they will be one of the first in the Americas to be able to send tourists to the Caribbean. It is going to be a matter of 'safe' and 'unsafe' countries soon in terms of international travel imo. If the other Euro countries get control they can move to the 'safe' list. Unfortunately the biggest market the USA looks like having far too many active cases for many months ahead and will be seen as 'unsafe'.

Airlines are desperate for business now and will fly half full to meet covid19 protocols soon.

I don't see the USA being a 'safe' country in the bubble scenario for a long time, but Canada could and parts of Europe, so Samana can work.

We must all accept that the tourist numbers wanting to travel internationally in the coming months and years is going to be a much smaller group for reasons of their own personal finances, cost and health concerns. Getting a part of those diminished numbers is important and DR in the two locations mentioned does have wonderful world class beaches, hotels and more to offer.

Canada flies to Samana

We will wait and see.

As I said in a previous post about Ryanair starting up again in Europe so is Iberia marketing hard to re start flight end of June from SDQ to MJAD.

However as I said Punta Cana is almost for pure holiday inclusive holidays, Samana  to a slightly less extent. 

Las Terranas is on a decline in term of the "buying" market.  If I had my way I would prefer POP and SDQ.  But doesn't solve the Covid-19 issues either way.

In terms of the R you might want to read this article.

https://unherd.com/2020/05/what-the-hea … -tell-you/

Ducketts

That is not Europe!

Ducketts

'This virus may never go away': COVID-19 could become endemic, like HIV, WHO says
Author of the article:
Reuters
Publishing date:
2 days ago • 2 minute read


GENEVA — The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 could become endemic like HIV, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday, warning against any attempt to predict how long it would keep circulating and calling for a “massive effort” to counter it.

“It is important to put this on the table: this virus may become just another endemic virus in our communities, and this virus may never go away,” WHO emergencies expert Mike Ryan told an online briefing.

As the world now grapples with more than 4.3 million cases of the virus and 297,000 deaths, Ryan outlined there’s no predicting this disease.

“I think it is important we are realistic and I don’t think anyone can predict when this disease will disappear,” he added. “I think there are no promises in this and there are no dates. This disease may settle into a long problem, or it may not be.”

However, he said the world had some control over how it coped with the disease, although this would take a “massive effort” even if a vaccine was found — a prospect he described as a “massive moonshot.”

More than 100 potential vaccines are being developed, including several in clinical trials, but experts have underscored the difficulties of finding vaccines that are effective against coronaviruses.

Ryan noted that vaccines exist for other illnesses, such as measles, that have not been eliminated.

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus added: “The trajectory is in our hands, and it’s everybody’s business, and we should all contribute to stop this pandemic.”

Ryan said “very significant control” of the virus was required in order to lower the assessment of risk, which he said remained high at the “national, regional and global levels.”

Governments around the world are struggling with the question of how to reopen their economies while still containing the virus, which has infected almost 4.3 million people, according to a Reuters tally, and led to over 291,000 deaths.

The European Union pushed on Wednesday for a gradual reopening of borders within the bloc that have been shut by the pandemic, saying it was not too late to salvage some of the summer tourist season while still keeping people safe.

But public health experts say extreme caution is needed to avoid new outbreaks. Ryan said opening land borders was less risky than easing air travel, which was a “different challenge.”

“We need to get into the mindset that it is going to take some time to come out of this pandemic,” WHO epidemiologist Maria van Kerkhove told the briefing.

ducketts wrote:

That is not Europe!

Ducketts

1/ lennox cited Canada AND Europe

2/ Europe did and may still fly to AZS

3/ the DR will need to make suitable arrangements at AZS if this plan will work

4/ it's the country's newest airport = AZS

There are currently no flights into and out of the EU.

There is massive competition from the other Caribbean islands most of which  fly to Europe.

Only time will tell, let's watch this space.  Many airlines will be prepared to fly with social distancing in place, meaning total take up of 50% of the capacity.

Ducketts

Here is reality - it takes both ends to open up!  Regular tourism is LAST on the list.  Fully enclosed and managed tourism is likely to be after internal tourism ramps up.

There will be hundreds of challenges to overcome.  For example: staff won't be able to go home after shift.  Nope.   Likely some arrangements like 30 days on 30 days off with testing to return to work.  How do you get tourist to and from resorts?  How do you social distance and on and on. 

Ducketts - your particular problem is not on anyone's radar.  Sorry to say you are one of many stuck in a place they don't want to be in.  Until some kind of regular flight opens up you are stuck.  And when they do open up it isn't likely to be an easy return or cheap.  That's just the way it is.

Airlines can post new schedules ever day of they want and take peoples bookings. They need to reassure shareholders who will be looking at the massive losses incurred.

But in the end it will be governments who decide when and how to open up and to whom.

And it applies to the travel both ways.

The terminology that is now gaining traction is 'safe' or 'unsafe' country in terms of covid19.  I suspect that DR is a long way from reaching the 'safe' category and that will probably determine when international flights begin again without quarantines.

But before that flights with quarantines may be the norm, which for tourists could be being confined in resorts with protocols.

Agree with opening like you mentioned Lennox. Regardless of when they open it will be slow process of people returning so capacity will be down signficantly. It is starting to become an issue for people who lost some of those hotel jobs and need to get to back work.
And will be less flights coming in so easier to stagger flights so an airport like Punta Cana does not get overwhelmed as have seen in the past with custom lines.

Also what is the breakdown of tourism for the country from US and else where?

https://www.dw.com/en/italy-to-allow-un … a-53461107

NY/California hot spots were few weeks behind Italy and DR seemed to be a month behind on increase of cases.

I will watch with great interest.

However the price our ticket is fixed so no surprises there.

Repatriation flights are working at 700$ US each.

If flights do start up then it will affect both the individual and the inclusive tour client.

I remained convinced you will see movement from major international airlines such as Iberia, part of the IAG group which includes British Airways.  See below and with the announcement of a brand new low cost airline for long haul flights.
https://www.iairgroup.com/en/our-brands

Ducketts

Again the airlines can say whatever they want. They can announce until the cows come home.

Nothing - nothing - will happen until the government's say it can happen!  Period! 

Back to DR cases:. News reports of doctors claiming cases are not being counted, tests not being done and people dead from "other" causes.   My guess is they are keeping numbers down asuch as possible! 

And we are what,  7 weeks to election!  This will be interesting!

Bulletin #59:

Total Confirmed Cases:  12314     Increase:  204
Total Deaths:                         428    Increase:       0
Total Recovered:                5847     Increase:  2121
Total Active Cases:             6039    Decrease: 1917
Total UCI:                               145
Total PCR Tests:                53280    Increase:    921     22% positive

Distribution of New Cases:

DN                                    +36
Azua                                  +3
Barahona                         +1
Duarte                              +3
Espaillat                            +21
La Altagracia                    +5
La Romana                       +4
La Vega                             +11
Maria TS                            +1
Monte Cristi                     +2
Hermanas M                    +3
Samana                             +1
San Cristobal                    +38
Sanchez Ramirez              +1
Santiago                             +12
Santiago Rodriguez          +2
Valverde                             +2
Monsenor N                      +5
San Jose                              +2
Santo Domingo                 +51

Testing slumps and so does headline figure but the positive percentage is up!

The spread is wider. No new deaths and a whole bunch of recovered so the active cases reported drops significantly.

Is the country ready for more opening? No would be the non-politicised medical answer because transmission factor is too high and the new cases are spread widely and in places like Azua, Monte Cristi, Mao and the mountain towns look like they have issues and probably insufficient testing to know the extent. Moca looks a continuing problem and so is Salcedo and Bonao, and La Vega just continues and Duarte may be seeing a new wave. San Cristobal is showing big numbers every day and La Altagracia and La Romana seem to have an underlying problem. A slowing down in DN? But uptick in the rest of the capital? Slow down in Santiago and POP? Too early to say but the virus is out there in most communities and too much interaction and the numbers could look ugly assuming more testing.

As always thank you for posting this.  We have been lucky to have you doing this!

ANÁLISIS ESTADÍSTICO DE LA EVOLUCIÓN
DEL VIRUS EN LA REPÚBLICA DOMINICANA COVID-19 INFORME #50

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sBNiyR … diVQY/view

Apparently the infection factor has gone down!

But go look at figure 4. more tests and the lower the positive ratio. Less tests and we are back at >20%.

The virus is all over the country - fig 14 - and even if we see one new case in a province over a 3 day period it means there is a risk of more persons being infected in circulation passing the virus in in that area. Did they trace everyone and isolate them? Doubt it? and how many tests were performed in that province. that is the danger making judgements about increasing activity/mobility and the risk of spread without knowing the real situation better. worse still in a country which lacks personal disciple. in other countries that are managing opening up well - Austria, Denmark and Germany - there is more social discipline and government insisted protocols for businesses to have in place before re-opening. Whats chance has DR?

The Executive Power extends the state of emergency for 15 days

These days will be counted from tomorrow, Monday, May 18

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … MA18908774

So that means it runs to 6 am on June 2nd.

Now let's wait and see what the President says tonight. For sure there will be a phased plan for gradual reopening but to do that it would appear he needs a much longer state of emergency. I do expect dialogue with all parties (FP have indicated a willingness to negotiate as such and with PLD and allies would have a majority in lower house) on how to manage the re-opening and would not rule out a political agreement on phased and gradual re-opening within constitution or using other laws. Politically that will be in the interest of all parties at election time.

And the president speaks tonight at 8pm

I suspect a lot of up coming unrest by the locals

Ducketts

ducketts you need to hope it works progressively or maybe there could be such a viral mess here that no flights will be coming anytime soon.

As I have posted elsewhere, Sosua is no reflection of the country as a whole. It is a tourist town with many expats and many people relying on the hospitality business. Hotels, tourist, bars, nightclubs, hookers and hotels are all going to have to wait months if at all and have to change their mode of operation and wait until it is safe.

I expect most of us who know Sosua are aware of its reputation.

This year I was astonished at the number of "day" bars which were closed long before Covid-19 started.
Yes and unless the local authorities get a real grip of the problems there it will continue to go downhill.

Let's hope R number gets below 1 soon so we can see a gradual opening in the country.

Ducketts

Danilo Medina announces, starting this Wednesday, entry into a phased and gradual phase: "Living together with the COVID-19 safely"

https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias/dan … -y-gradual

After the Dominican Republic became one of the countries in the Americas that has best responded to the coronavirus, President Danilo Medina announced the entry, staggered and gradual, in a new phase: "Coexist with COVID-19 safely."

Revised Curfew

Addressing the Dominican people, Danilo Medina reported that he signed the decree that extends the curfew for an additional 15 days. He indicated that, from Monday 18, the hours will be from Monday to Saturday from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. and Sundays from 5:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

"After obtaining approval from Congress, I have signed the decree that extends the state of emergency by 15 days throughout the national territory," he said.

In this sense, he stated that “this transition must be carried out in an orderly and gradual manner. Therefore, in the coming weeks, it will continue to be necessary to maintain the state of emergency. ”

Four stages of de-escalation

He announced that the government has planned 4 phases of de-escalation, starting next week. He pointed out that, on Wednesday May 20, the first phase will be launched, which will allow companies to partially operate according to their size and number of employees.

“Thus, in micro-enterprises, which may have up to 10 employees, up to 5 employees or no more than 50% of the staff may work. In the small ones, which are those between 10 and 50, a minimum of 10 people and no more than 50% of their employees will be able to work ”.

Meanwhile, medium and large companies must operate with a maximum of 25% of personnel in the first phase.

"For its part, the public sector will also begin to work with 50% of the staff, and the incumbents are authorized to increase this percentage if the needs so demand."

Only Metro, Cable Car and OMSA will start operating

In the same way, it declared that, from the same date, only the state public transport will begin to operate: Santo Domingo Metro, Santo Domingo Cable Car and Metropolitan Office of Bus Services (OMSA), at 6 a.m. at 6 in the afternoon.

"This transport will operate at approximately 30% of its capacity and the use of masks will be mandatory at all times. In addition, users must remain distant and silent, avoiding socializing within them.

The head of state affirmed that the circulation of private collective transport units will be activated in the following phase, according to how the situation evolves.

Mandatory differentiated schedules

To avoid the rush hour crowds, the Government also established the obligation of different hours.

"At 7 in the morning supermarkets, pharmacies, the construction sector, industry and processing companies, including export processing zones, would begin operating."

Likewise, mining and quarrying, agricultural and agroindustrial activity and activity in ports and airports will begin at that time, and they will continue to receive only freight and ferry flights.

“At 8 am, public sector employees will start working. And at 9 in the morning other stores such as hardware stores, vehicle dealers, workshops, the financial sector, furniture and electrical appliance stores, fabric and clothing stores, etc. would come into operation. In addition to the service sector ”.

Sea, land and air borders remain closed

Danilo Medina also pointed out that, during this phase, the maritime, land and air borders are kept closed.

Mandatory prevention protocols in all sectors

He argued that in all sectors, without exception, return to work will be accompanied by the application of mandatory prevention protocols.

He explained that a general protocol has been established, in consensus with the private sector, which has already been preparing for this moment, which also includes distancing, hygiene and prevention measures, conducting COVID-19 tests and temperature taking.

“Likewise, specific protocols have been established for the different sectors, adapted to each of the activities. The details of each of these protocols will be made public on time by the High Level Commission in the next few hours. ”

He insisted that the correct application of these measures will depend on the country being able to continue advancing in the following phases of the de-escalation and warned that the Government will be strict in its application.

“The authorities also have strict instructions to permanently monitor and act rigorously in case of non-compliance with the established measures, being able to arrest the offenders and close the establishments with authorization to operate, that do not comply with the social distancing and hygiene measures. "

Phase 2 will start next June 3

He announced that on Wednesday, June 3, phase 2 could begin. “It should be noted that for the moment, only returning to work is being contemplated, but we are not yet in a position to speak of a reopening date for activities that involve high density of people".

“Therefore, entertainment or recreation spaces, such as cinemas, theaters, gyms, artistic, sporting and cultural events, will not be opened yet. As well as marches, rallies and caravans, shopping malls, games of chance and the hotel sector, among others. Also, the restaurants would continue to be open only for orders and home deliveries. ”

Educational centers will remain closed

Regarding educational centers, Danilo Medina said that they will remain closed for the moment and the National Council of Education must meet to dictate the new dates of the school calendar and establish the strategies to follow for the future.

For its part, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCYT) will inform future provisions for higher education institutions.



High Level Commission will detail content four phases

The Governor announced that, in the next few hours, the High-Level Commission for the Prevention and Control of COVID-19 will explain in detail the content of the four phases of the de-escalation.

He appreciated that this de-escalation, which now begins, will contribute to alleviating the economic situation of hundreds of thousands of families and reactivating the economy step by step.

Social Affairs Commission will continue actions for the benefit of the most vulnerable

However, he acknowledged that many households are still in trouble. He reported that, for the benefit of the most vulnerable, the Commission for Social Affairs will continue to deliver food at the same rate. "We will not leave those families alone, they can be sure."

Stay at Home and FASE will continue active during June

“Likewise, we have decided to extend for a month more all the plans of support to the homes. In other words, both the Stay at Home program and the PHASE program will continue to be active during the month of June. ”

FASE's scope expanded to support more workers

He stressed that, in the case of FASE, the Government has decided to make some provisions more flexible, in order to support more workers.

"At the request of business associations, we have decided that from June 1 the same company may have suspended workers under PHASE 1 and workers with active employment contracts, under PHASE 2".

He stated that this decision is made "because we expect a recovery in the demand for goods and services, which will increase the workforce of active workers and revoke their suspension."

"Thus, thanks to the relief in the payroll costs that these aids will entail, we encourage the worker to receive his full salary again and make his full contribution to the Social Security Treasury (TSS)."

In addition, the Government has decided to incorporate into the FASE program, in any of its modalities, workers from the media, restaurants, ice cream parlors, dental and cosmetic centers, private security companies and veterinarians, among other sectors.

"In the same way, we will allow university workers to take advantage of the PHASE 2 modality."

New program in favor of independent workers: “Pa 'Ti”

After supporting more than 2.3 million Dominican households, through the FASE and Stay at Home programs, the Government announced the launch of a new initiative to protect independent workers, called "Pa 'Ti".

“The Pa 'Ti program is aimed at those workers who day by day earn their livelihood from independent businesses and who have been unable to work due to the social distancing measures imposed by the pandemic. A monthly transitional transfer of 5,000 pesos will be provided to their bank accounts. ”

The President of the Republic explained that in order to locate the beneficiaries, the Government has identified a database of people with this condition and who have loans with the formal financial system.

"As in the other programs created to alleviate the situation generated by COVID-19, Pa'Ti will not receive those eligible independent workers who are already beneficiaries of any other program, especially Stay at Home."

Guarantee and Financing Fund for 210 thousand MSMEs

Danilo Medina also announced an agreement with the Central Bank, the Superintendency of Banks and the Association of Commercial Banks of the Dominican Republic, for the constitution of a Guarantee and Financing Fund to benefit Micro and Small Businesses (MSMEs).

This fund will guarantee resources for MSMEs at the lowest interest rates.

"It will have the technical support of multilateral organizations, it will guarantee a portfolio of up to RD $ 125,100 million pesos, made up of loans currently in force and new loans aimed at small and microenterprises."

"In this scheme, the Government would be giving guarantees for up to 50% of the chosen portfolio, while the bank would be assuming the remaining 50%."

"More than 210,000 micro and small companies that had commercial loans with A and B ratings as of February 29, 2020 and that belong to the commerce, construction, tourism, education, manufacturing, transportation, storage and agricultural sectors, among others".

He expressed that, additionally, and in response to the need to alleviate the flow of payments from small and micro-enterprises, we are instructing the Ministry of Finance and the General Directorate of Internal Taxes, so that these companies can liquidate ITBIS as a result of their daily sales. on a quarterly, rather than monthly, basis as a way to take pressure off your cash flow.

"In the next few hours, the Economic Commission will be explaining in detail all these measures to support our productive fabric and our workers."

Dominican solution.

Accepted failure to get number to zero. Theme being 'living together with covid19'

Will be difficult to police. Could easily go pear shaped.

Im going to be buying materials Wednesday to complete my house and move to campo soonest.

I watched the speach last night and part of me.liked it and part of.me did not.   

I am with you this will be a nighmsre to enforce.  They could not enforce what measures we had.   

All of these businesses will ramp up.  All my employees heard was: we can go back to work.  Not so fast! 

Getting back to work will be a challenge for sure.

Time will tell how this ends up.

As an employer, you should advise your employees that you have received the ok to reopen and then give them a time frame that you need to advise further of your plan and transition for reopening.  As an employer, all you have is a green light.  The rest is up to you, but keeping employees informed is also your responsibility.  Slowly, organized and cautious with the safety of employees and customers first priority.

Absolutely. I am waiting to read the total text and requirements of the reopen.  Only then will I  talk to employees and clients. In my case, I need almost a full staffing to even function. So for us we cannot "reopen" at  50% but I can gear up and be ready for 100% opening.

And there is mention of penalties and closure if businesses do not follow protocols.

It all takes time to put in place if done properly.

https://www.airlive.net/an-a380-has-lan … -supplies/

lennoxnev wrote:

And there is mention of penalties and closure if businesses do not follow protocols.

It all takes time to put in place if done properly.

I will be waiting to see if this happens.....   I seriously hope they figure out how to monitor this!

Bulletin #50       

Confirmed New Cases:   12725     Increase:  411
Confirmed Deaths:               434    Increase:       6
Confirmed Recovered:      6613     Increase:   766
Active Cases:                       5678     Decrease:  361
Total ICU:                               142
Total PCR Tests:                 55469    Increase:   2189     Positivity 18.7%

Distribution of New Cases:

DN                                    102
Azua                                     5
Baoruco                              2
Barahona                            7
Duarte                                 4
El Seibo                               1
Espaillat                               3
La Altagracia                      9
La Romana                        48
La Vega                              29
Maria TS                              2
Peravia                                7
Puerto Plata                       6
Hermanas M                      1
San Cristobal                     22
San Juan                              2
SPM                                      2
Santiago                              20
Monsenor N                       4
Monte Plata                        1
Santo Domingo                 134

DR is opening up as the cases grow and spread to a political timetable.

They are focusing on slowly reducing death rate percentage, hospital usage and recovered numbers to support their argument the the virus is controlled, but the percentage postivity and shortage of tests suggest otherwise. It just looks like the virus has got a foot hold in the East, West, Cibao and North plus the capital to me.

Lets hop for a slowing down in the days to come!