COVID-19

I was out today and drove by several colmados with people celebrating (already)

Maskless, no distancing.... drinking

It has started

'Tis the season to be jolly !!!!

lennoxnev wrote:

Bulletin #269

Total new cases  1107
Day positivity 18.11%
Total active cases 31,850

Hospitalizations up
ICU occupation now over 50%  - some hospitals now close to capacity of ICU beds
Ventilator use up

DN 346 new cases
SD  160
Santiago 131
La Vega 93
Puerto Plata 89
Duarte 59
La Altgracia 45
Monsenor N  36

Calls in press now for tighter controls again included reverting curfew back to 7pm due to lack of respect for sanitary measures and especially in drinks, bars and colmados. The sharp rise in hospitalization increases is a concern.

Marcelino Vélez no longer has beds in the ICU or on the floor for patients with Covid-19

https://listindiario.com/la-republica/2 … n-covid-19

They suggest tightening the curfew hours due to the increase in cases of COVID-19

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … EE23272431

After arrests made at a wedding in La Vega PN requests the collaboration of citizens to stop the pandemic


https://noticiassin.com/tras-apresamien … -pandemia/

Monsignor Jesús Castro regrets authorities lower the guard in entertainment centers due to the increase in Covid-19

https://eldia.com.do/monsenor-jesus-cas … -covid-19/

'

Lennox: 

I apologize for the question...but are these numbers WEEKLY, MONTHLY or DAILY??   I'm following from afar, and trying to track US and local numbers, too...so it all gets mushed up in my head.

And, may I ask for your personal interpretation/analysis here: 
[*] Does it look like the DR is heading for another lockdown anytime soon?
[*] What would you advise your own family or friends, if they were planning a trip there in late January?  Cancel/delay the trip, or come on down??

I'm not expecting you to be the Oracle of Delphi...just share your gut recommendations.  We'll make our final decision after Christmas...but your opinion counts heavily, as you are there on the ground.

I'd hesitate making the trip in late January, if the risk of another extended lockdown is high, or even just at medium.

Many thanks,


Jim
ExpatRusher

lennoxnev wrote:

Long Covid update:

The CDC has just completed a two day workshop and has updated its website on the long term effects of covid19:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/04/heal … ptoms.htmlhttps://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nc … 25-DM42580

Best advice is to take all steps to avoid getting covid19 and avoid being one of the 10% to 30% of those infected who suffer the long term effects.

Our daughter in Idaho is one of those with "long-term effects."  She is having a hard time just breathing, though technically she "recovered" back in June.   She is 37 years old.

Jim
ExpatRusher

These are daily reports!

Our numbers are climbing.  4 week average positivity rate is rising fast.  Hospitals are filling up. 

No one can tell you what to do, that is your call.

Here, many are calling for tightening restrictions and increasing the curfew. The govt has clearly indicated everything is going to be based on the numbers and on people's behavior.  If I was betting, I can see stronger curfews.  But, I don't see a shutdown coming.

I am really sorry about your daughter.  That is my fear - the long term complications!

They are the reported new cases for yesterday.

The trend is the wrong way. Several days of 1k plus cases at a positivity in tje upper teens.

I would expect it to get worse progressively this month without a change in controls. It is the festive season and Dominicans will go socializing and drinking and there are plenty of breaches of curfew. Worse still, many Dominicans will come from abroad - most from USA - without any proper entry health  controls - and will be mobile, socializing with family around the country. The festivities here extend well into January - 3 Kings.

The situation was relatively well controlled with the longer curfew but that is history. Weekends have been the biggest problem but now weekday partying is in play too.

The hospital situation will dictate if and when the government acts imo.

Ultimately it is down to people to respect the required measures but here there is an element of people who disregard the rules and increase spread and maybe all of us will suffer longer curfews as a result either shortly or next year.

Depends where you plan to stay. The government is working hard to ensure tourists are catered for during this pandemic so in Punta Cana would be good. If you are an independant tourist you will be under the same controls as the general population.

Thank you, both Lennox and Planner.

We're going to hold our decision until New Year's Day, or perhaps a week later.  That way, we'll see what happens as a result of Christmas and NYE parties. 

And of course, if the government orders a lockdown, with restrictions on tourist entries -- well, the decision will be made for us.

Take care down there, everyone.

Hope to visit soon.


Jim
ExpatRusher

'New variant' of coronavirus identified - Hancock

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-55308211

A new variant of coronavirus has been identified which may be associated with faster spread, MPs have been told.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said at least 60 different local authorities in England have recorded Covid infections caused by the new variant.

He said the World Health Organization had been notified and Porton Down was doing detailed studies.

Mr Hancock said there was "nothing to suggest" it caused worse disease or that vaccines would no longer work.

He told MPs in the House of Commons that over the last week, there had been sharp, exponential rises in the virus across London, Kent, parts of Essex and Hertfordshire.

"We do not know the extent to which this is because of the new variant but no matter its cause we have to take swift and decisive action which unfortunately is absolutely essential to control this deadly disease while the vaccine is rolled out."

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Plutarco Arias warns there will be more restrictive measures in Christmas and New Year before the advance of COVID-19

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … FL23286388

The Dominican population and foreigners who are in the Dominican Republic could spend Christmas and New Year locked up at home due to the fact that mobility restrictions could be tightened due to the increase in cases of coronavirus.

Health Minister Plutarco Arias said that as the population continues to violate all policies of distancing and use of masks established by the authorities, to the same extent more restrictions will be placed.

"People are in the streets not complying and as they continue not complying with the measures, the restrictive measures are going to be much tougher," said the minister, pleading with the population to please take shelter a little.

After noting that the decision to make the measures more flexible or not will depend on what the President of the Republic and the Health Cabinet decide, Arias emphasized: "If people do not behave well, we will have to take tougher, more restrictive measures. ".

The minister spoke at the conclusion of the act where the President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, delivered the accreditation to the affiliate number two million to the National Health Insurance (Senasa) as part of the program started in his administration.

The President of the Republic promised to refer tomorrow to the issue of the increase in COVID-19 infections. Like every Tuesday, the Health Cabinet will meet in the National Palace.

The COVID-19 bulletin number 270 published this Monday, December 14, indicates the report of 492 cases with a daily positivity that is around 17.42%.

The bulletin also highlights the death of about three people, while Public Health warns an increase in hospital occupancy in the last 24 hours.

In this sense, the occupancy is around 31% with a total of 863 people hospitalized. Similarly, there are 234 patients in intensive care units (ICU), which occupy 50% of ICUs.

Plain stupidity of a minority will lead to the majority being locked down to avoid the rapidly deterioration hospital situation especially in Santo Domingo and Santiago where the best hospitals are. Expats would not want to be going to the provincial hospitals if they get sick so the hospitals nearing capicity in the main cities is a concern.

Later today we should know the control measures to be taken over the festive season.

Don't be surprised if they increase the controls due to the worsening situation in cases and in hospitals.

Government would announce this Tuesday the new measures for COVID-19 and Christmas

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … DK23298182

Out here in my part of the world, the gatherings at the local colmados have already started....
No masks, no distancing, a lot of tactile activity

Many have their December double in their pocket.... all will after today (15th)
Things will only escalate.

Not looking good

Agreed. Colmados, drinks and car washes are trying their hardest to pump up business in the communities north of the capital too. Starting early too!

But according to the head of the police they have a plan.....

The Minister of the Interior and Police warns that it is not possible to lift the restrictions against the pandemic

https://noticiassin.com/ministro-de-int … -pandemia/

The Minister of the Interior and Police, Jesús Vásquez, announced that they are preparing a plan to implement it at Christmas with the purpose of keeping Covid-19 under control during the holidays.

The official warned that it is not possible to lift the restrictions against the pandemic at a time when the level of infections has been gradually increasing.

The official affirmed that it is not possible to celebrate Christmas as in the past and asked the population to make a sacrifice at this stage to return to normality.

But will they be able to get the 'plan' understood and implemented by the local police?

Has any information been released or hinted at about the eventual availability of vaccines in the DR?

Tripp789 wrote:

Has any information been released or hinted at about the eventual availability of vaccines in the DR?

We should know more later today.

As the article I posted in post #20250, the government are going to advise on the situation regarding vaccines at the health cabinet meeting today:

The information will be offered after the meeting of the Health Cabinet, coordinated by the Vice President of the Republic, Raquel Peña, in which it would also discuss the preparations that the country makes for the vaccination process against the disease, at a time when it is already the first doses begin to be applied internationally.

As of earlier news reports DR has contracted for 14 million doses of the Astra Zenaca vaccine but that will not be available until March earliest. Local private laboritories may offer other vaccines earlier when approved by DR.

see next post

Sale of alcohol prohibited after 6pm.

Maybe not all provinces affected

Curfew from 7:00 at night to 5:00 in the morning; including Christmas and New Years days

https://listindiario.com/la-republica/2 … fin-de-ano

The Health Cabinet announced that due to the incidence of the coronavirus in the country, the curfew will be in the National District and the provinces of Santo Domingo, Santiago, Duarte, La Vega and Puerto Plata, from 7:00 at night to 5 : 00 in the morning; with a free transit until 9:00 at night.

On December 24 and 31, the curfew hours will be from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. and free transit until 1:00 a.m. on December 25 and January 1 .

The prohibition of the sale of alcoholic beverages from 6:00 in the afternoon, according to presidential decree 698-20 throughout the national territory.

The limitation of meetings to groups of 10 people or less in public spaces and the tables available in bars and restaurants to 70% of their installed capacity,

The new curfew from 7pm and controls start tomorrow through to New Year.

Transport to get home is allowed to 9pm  from tomorrow and 1am on New Years day.

By banning alcohol sales from 6pm, it would appear they are allowing family reunions but restricting colmados etc.

Wow.  Needed but really will confuse a lot of people.

Do your shopping now.  Payday is today and the Christmas salaries are being paid out now. 

I am glad they have done something at least.

Alcohol consumption socially away from the home is perhaps the biggest factor in the spread of the virus in many countries including here and the government appears to have recognised this.

People lose control out in colmados, bars, drinks and car washes even restaurants after a few drinks and ignore any form of social distancing. So halting alcohol  sales early, restricting numbers of people in such places and the early curfew should have a big effect.

We can still enjoy the festivities as families. And tourists will be able to enjoy their festivities within their resorts. And workers will be able to get home after the curfew hour.

A pragmatic solution to a dificult problem.

What time was the curfew prior to this?

9pm weekdays. 7pm weekends.

Now 7pm everyday including 24th December and 31st December. And it is not clear yet if this just applies to National District and the provinces of Santo Domingo, Santiago, Duarte, La Vega and Puerto Plata.

The curfew has been extended too from 20th December

Big difference is the banning of the sale of alcohol after 6pm and limiting groups to less than 10 people in bars etc and fines for non mask use by Presidential decree.

For Tripp, re vaccine availability here:

The vice president said.....

“We know that it is not easy to ask for new sacrifices, but the pandemic still has a few months to go until the vaccine arrives. The Dominican Government is actively negotiating the delivery dates for the first batches, ”stressed the vice president, highlighting that it will depend on all citizens, and not only the Government, that the measures are effective.

March at best imo.

From the Presidents website just now:

(it does appear the new curfew is for the indicated provinces only but the new hours will apply nationally for 24th and 31st December)

Health Cabinet presents measures to mitigate COVID-19 during Christmas festivities

https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias/gab … -navidenas

The Vice President of the Republic, Raquel Peña, led a press conference accompanied by the plenary session of the Health Cabinet in the Las Cariátides Room of the National Palace, where new sanitary measures were announced for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The coordinator of the Health Cabinet assured that the Government led by President Luis Abinader must ensure that the health and life of all its governed be preserved and to do so, it will never hesitate to choose the greatest good over the most popular. "We all agree that between health and fun the greatest good is health," she said.

Among the new provisions, a new curfew schedule for the National District and the provinces of Santo Domingo, Santiago, Duarte, La Vega and Puerto Plata stands out, which will be from Monday to Sunday from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the morning; with free transit until 9:00 at night, thus ensuring a reasonable time for citizens to reach their homes.

The Health Cabinet explained that according to current epidemiological data “our country must anticipate measures to keep contagions under control during the days of the Christmas and New Year holidays. For this reason, for December 24 and 31, the curfew hours will be from 7:00 at night to 5:00 in the morning and free transit until 1:00 in the morning on December 25 and January 1.

Presidential decree 698-20 also establishes measures that regulate the entire national territory, such as the prohibition of the sale of alcoholic beverages from 6:00 in the afternoon.

“We know that it is not easy to ask for new sacrifices, but the pandemic still has a few months to go until the vaccine arrives. The Dominican Government is actively negotiating the delivery dates for the first batches, ”stressed the vice president, highlighting that it will depend on all citizens, and not only the Government, that the measures are effective.

She also indicated that the measures announced by the Health Cabinet and explained through the presidential decree, [u]will enter into force today and will remain in effect as long as necessary.[/u]

Other measures that the Health Cabinet, in the voice of Vice President Raquel Peña, announced today are the increase in ICU beds available in the public and private sectors, as well as in tests and contact tracing through of the Regional Health Services and the Provincial Health Directorates.

Regarding the measures that are maintained, she highlighted the limitation of meetings to groups of 10 people or less in public spaces and the tables available in bars and restaurants to 70% of their installed capacity, in addition to the mandatory nature of the use of the mask in public spaces with imposition of a fine to those who violate it.

Finally, Peña made a call not to lower our guard and to maintain physical distancing and washing hands. "To ensure compliance with hygiene measures, we will distribute masks and hand gel free of charge to all citizens," he said.

At the press conference, the vice president was accompanied by the Minister of Public Health and Social Assistance Dr. Plutarco Arias, the general director of the National Health Service Dr. Mario Lama, the executive director of the National Health Insurance Dr. Santiago Hazim, the general director of Promese / Cal Ing. Adolfo Pérez, the medical advisor to the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Eddy Pérez Then, the health advisor to the Executive Branch Dr. Víctor Atallah and the vice ministers of Collective Health and Planning, Dr. Ivelisse Acosta and Dr. Edward Guzmán.

Not surprised Puerto Plata is included in the new curfew hours - it had 90 new cases today and is a problem province.

It does look like a decent effort.

What I really appreciate is the extension of hours to transit.  That means here in the capital we will not be faced with the even bigger traffic jams!  Right now traffic is ridiculous and will only get worse. It was almost impossible to get home before  7pm and is still tough to get home at  9 pm  sometimes!   While the curfew is earlier the ability to get home is extended!  Seems reasonable to me.

and yes limiting alcohol sales seems  like a good idea!   

Lets see how they will  enforce this.

The new decree explained in this article from Presidency website:

https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias/los-dias-24-y-31-de-diciembre-habra-gracia-de-transito-hasta-100-de-la-madrugada

SANTO DOMINGO. - The Executive Power ordered this Tuesday to reinforce sanitary measures to maintain control of the pandemic. This includes changes in the curfew schedule and maintaining the social distancing adopted in the framework of the state of emergency, which seeks to optimize the prevention of the spread of COVID-19.

Through Decree 698-20 , signed by President Luis Abinader today, the modality and hours of the curfew are modified.

The measures provided in the decree come into effect from today December 15, 2020 and until the lifting of the state of emergency, including any possible extension of this or until some variation to such measures is provided.

Actions are taken in response to the current exponential increase in the spread of the disease at the national and international level.

This Tuesday's decree repeals decrees numbers 504-20, 554-20 and 684-20 related to the curfew, as well as their modifications.

Curfew

The Office of Information and Press of the Presidency communicated that, as of today, the rules that will govern in the different provinces are the following:

In the National District and the Santo Domingo, Santiago, Duarte, La Vega and Puerto Plata provinces, the curfew hours are the same every day, from 7:00 at night to 5:00 in the morning.

However, every day, people will have a grace until 9:00 pm to transit exclusively to their respective residences.

In the rest of the country, the curfew is established from Monday to Friday from 9:00 at night until 5:00 in the morning. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 7:00 at night until 5:00 in the morning.

As in the other provinces, on those days people will have a grace until 9:00 at night to travel exclusively to their respective residences.

Christmas Eve and New Years Eve

Exceptionally, on December 24 and 31, 2020, the curfew will apply throughout the national territory from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., in public places and private places for public use.

In these two days, only, the grace to transit from private places to the respective residences, will be until 1:00 in the morning of the next day.

The exceptions are maintained for medical personnel, members of the press, private security and those responsible for the distribution of goods such as fuel and food.

No more than 10 people in meetings

The Executive Power prohibited in the national territory the meetings of groups of more than 10 people in public and private places of public use.

Likewise, in commercial establishments such as restaurants and bars, only groups of a maximum of 10 people per table will be allowed, as long as 70% of the total capacity of the business is not exceeded.

In this case, compliance with the health and social distancing protocols adopted by the corresponding authorities for this sector is required.

Drinks ban schedule

Decree 698-20 includes the provision of the prohibition in the national territory, every day from 6:00 in the afternoon to 5:00 in the morning, the sale of all kinds of alcoholic beverages, in any of their presentations, for part of people or commercial establishments.

This initiative is adopted without detriment to measures of this nature that the Ministry of the Interior and Police may additionally adopt.

Mandatory use of masks

The measures ratify for the entire national territory the mandatory use of masks in public places and private places of public use, as well as the other measures and protocols of social distancing adopted by the corresponding authorities.

It is noted that non-compliance will be sanctioned with the provisions established by the General Health Law 42-01, of March 8, 2001.

Exceptions

Decree 698-20, in its article 4, establishes exceptions and, consequently, the following people will be allowed to circulate during the respective curfew hours:

-People dedicated to health services, such as: doctors, nurses, bioanalysts, paramedical personnel and pharmaceutical personnel.

-People with a medical emergency who need to go to a health center or pharmacy.

-Persons dedicated to private security work duly identified.

-Members of the press and other duly accredited media.

-Vehicle operators and technicians of companies and institutions that provide energy, water, telecommunications and solid waste collection services duly identified, exclusively during the exercise of their work functions.

-Operators of vehicles dedicated to the urban and interurban distribution of goods, supplies and fuel duly identified, exclusively during the exercise of their work functions.

-People who work in the industry and trade of food and medical and pharmaceutical products and are in transit to or from their places of work, provided they carry identification of an authorized company.

-International passengers and operators of private or commercial vehicles that are transferring them, as well as employees of the maritime and air transport sector duly identified, in transit to or from ports and airports.

-Employees of companies that provide funeral services, exclusively during the exercise of their work functions.

-Employees or contractors of the hotel, mining and free zone sectors, exclusively during the exercise of their work functions.

-Employees or contractors of restaurants that provide home cooked food services, which may circulate until 11:00 pm, exclusively during the exercise of their work functions.

-Employees and vehicles dedicated to the transport and distribution of food, merchandise and supplies, both urban and interurban, of the Social Plan of the Presidency, duly identified.

lennoxnev wrote:

For Tripp, re vaccine availability here:

The vice president said.....

“We know that it is not easy to ask for new sacrifices, but the pandemic still has a few months to go until the vaccine arrives. The Dominican Government is actively negotiating the delivery dates for the first batches, ”stressed the vice president, highlighting that it will depend on all citizens, and not only the Government, that the measures are effective.

March at best imo.

Better than expected.  My wife and I have been "naturally immunized" and so have little worries.  The faster this can happen the better for all, both physically and mentally.

The issue with the new controls that is causing most confusion and getting slammed by the medical association for the mobility allowance after curfew hour.

There are people speculating you can be out on the street between 7pm and 9pm in the provinces where the reduced hours now apply. That is not correct as explained in the decree by the President in post #2065:

However, every day, people will have a grace until 9:00 pm to transit exclusively to their respective residences.

How this is policed is the issue.

It would appear this idea was incorporated to deal with the large traffic jams that occured in Santo Domingo after curfew hour with people stuck in their cars trying to get home. It really should have been applied to SD and Santiago only and maybe they will modify this rule.

I suspect the police and military will want to get people inside their homes at 7pm and tolerate only people heading home. Harder to police in the small towns in the affected provinces but people will not be sat outside colmados or socializing in the streets with all businesses closed.

I think that is the major thrust of the legislation....

Colmado/restaurant gatherings will be halted

Frank Rainieri: new restrictions against COVID-19 do not affect tourism

Employers are in favor of the measures

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … EA23325265

The new restrictions imposed by the Government to stop the expansion of COVID-19 will not affect tourism, a sector that is in a process of recovery, according to businessman Frank Rainieri said Tuesday.

Rainieri, who is president of the Puntacana Group, said that the new orders do not influence the dynamism of the sector because hotels have their parameters and operating protocols, and he understands that if the Government imposed it, it is because it knows the numbers of the pandemic .

"Therefore, we are confident that if that decision was made it is for the good of the country, and we have to understand that the well-being of all goes above personal interest," said Rainieri.

The Punta Cana International Airport (AIPC) is exceeding 200 weekly flights, a figure that had only been seen prior to March, the month when COVID-19 entered the country, the businessman said.

On his side, Pedro Brache, president of the National Council of Private Enterprise (Conep), pointed out that since the pandemic began, this body has always been in favor of the health of the people.

"The indicators have spoken, I believe that the measures correspond to the situation in the Dominican Republic today," added Brache.

Both employers spoke after leaving the recognition ceremony "Solidarity Entrepreneurs 2020" held by Mercado magazine in a hotel in the capital.

The new measures seem to be going down well generally. No push back here and rather the opposite because evening drinking and socializing ignoring social distancing and masks by younger folks is seen as the big problem causing spread of the virus by most. And some fexibility for the family get together for 24th and 31st.

Tourism in the main areas will not be affected. Businesses in Santo Domingo already close at 7pm so no change there.

The big change is the sale of alcohol ban at 6pm.

The mobility allowance for 24th and 31st is causing some concern.

The measures may perhaps put a cap on big futher increases in case load if enforced, but frankly I don't see the curfew and maybe alcohol sales hour ban being lifted anytime  soon in the New Year, and perhaps cases will still increase with family reunions and arrivals from infected countries without proper airport controls. I hope not.

It is tough for owners of bars and drinks etc. that rely on alcohol sales but that is not the end of the world! Restaurants are flourishing at lunch time and colmados will sell just as much as now as people stock up at home. The economy and tourism will keep ticking along at an improving pace.

Good pragmatic yet imperfect compromise if enforced.

It's funny how so many gringos fuss about 'laws', and seem amazed that theyre not observed. And that's  in spite of well known sayings like, "you aint in Kansas anymore", and  "hecha la ley, hecha la trampa".

Great info Lennox.

There is a small bunch of vocal and misinformed expats in DR who are constantly griping that the measures, including curfew, taken by DR to control covid19 are not warranted and no measures should be enforced. Especially now after this weeks additional controls.

They aways like to say 'well look at Sweden'.

Well I guess they haven't looked recently because that has become an absolute failure in this sparsely populated country as voiced now by the King of Sweden:

Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf says coronavirus approach 'has failed'

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55347021

Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf has described 2020 as a "terrible" year and says the national coronavirus strategy has failed.

Only some form of government conrol can limit this virus which despite vaccines will be with us for many years. DR has tried to strike a balance between economy and health and done pretty well in comparison so far.

But it is the self discipline of people that falls down here as it has in many
more disciplined societies like Germany, Austria and Singapore.

Young population transmits 65% of COVID-19 infections

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … GG23347256

The Minister of Health, Public Plutarco Arias, assured this Wednesday that the greatest number of infections is carried out by young people who carry the disease to their homes. He indicated that this population transmits 65% of infections.

"We are talking that 65% of our young people are those who are transmitting the disease from the street to the houses, please keep your distance, hugs the grandparents, let's save it this time, we will avoid the crowds", requested the Minister.

On previous occasions, the minister has pointed out that young people, most of whom are asymptomatic, go out to dance or participate in parties in colmadones, which makes them spreaders of the virus.

In a country where families are close, live together or are in close proximity, there is a need to take controls to avoid the spread of covid19 to ALL the population.

The younger and younger adults have a responsibility for the health, health services and economy of the whole nation. They are no exception.

This is perhaps why the recent additional control measures do target evening drinking with the alcohol sales ban. If this is not respected to control spread, it may be with us for a long time until vaccinations kick in.

I personally think the new measures will be insufficient to stop the increase in spread over the holiday season. DR is certain to import cases from US Dominican families coming here for the holidays without proper airport controls - 245,033 new cases there yesterday and 3,611 deaths records. We will have to wait and see.

As always do what you can to protect yourself and then we wait and see!  Thanks Lennox

In my area the only places were they wear mascarillas are those that have guards on doors...otherwise hardly at all.  And around colmados and barrios, theyre partying like it was 1969...and not only the locals, gringos too. Was even  at a big pool party just yesterday.  They all said they figure most of them will survive , and most locals too.

Coronel, good luck to you and all your buddies. If you get covid19 here, don't be surprised if there is no space soon at hospitals.

If you are with gringos it is possible you are in the PP area. Well that area is descending into excessive spread and the chief medical officer there is today slamming the inactive police and military.

https://www.puertoplatadigital.com/verN … x?Id=34322

You seriously can't think you are setting a good example and offering good advice to other expats and locals too, can you?

He is part of the problem, not the solution.

Lennox, the locals were setting that example before i got here. Apparently they dont much care about what a few gringos do anyway.

Oh yes, clearly the two wrongs make it right!   Great addition to this country!

Colonel,

The majority of Dominicans fully support the government on the way they are dealing with covid19 and the economy.

You and your fringe expats are sadly way out of touch with the mood in the country and have created and encouraged a worse scenario in Puerta Plata province for locals and responsible expats.

Perhaps you and your small group of vocal fellow expats take pleasure in making decent people, both expat and Dominican, endure a less free festive season. Bravo to you and your like!