COVID-19

thecolonel wrote:

For sure sure, this pandemic, like all others throughout history, will probably also just burn itself out.  And they dod it with no lockdowns, no vaccinations, no ruining economies, and the mostly symbolic measures were mostly usless.

From one colonel to another:

Your history is both flawed and incomplete.

Do you think leaders of any society that ever suffered a major plague or pandemic, would not trade their responses born largely from a lack of knowledge and capability, gor ours??   

No, they would definitely trade their approaches for our modern approaches, to include education, knowledge of disease transmission, prevention measures, sanitation capabilities,  vaccines and public health.

Without question.

Though they tried what they could, what they thought might work...ultimately, they were guessing, and thus often substituted superstitions or quackery for effective measures.

On the topic of prevention measures...go search for illustrations from the big plague years.  Often, people are depicted wearing makeshift masks, or at least using rags pressed against faces when near others,  and especially the infected.  They had largely figured out...that masks helped, at least a bit. 

And economic impacts??  Wow.  Your historical knowledge here is so lacking, I hardly know where to begin.  The Black Plague was DEVASTATING to economies it hit.  I believe it took Europe over a hundred years to fully recover.
And those economic setbacks meant very real setbacks in education, learning. Medicime, health in general.
Poor societies very rarely make huge advancements in much of anything.  They're too busy trying not to starve and fending off thieves and robbers.

Despite all the rigaramole about COVID-19, there can be no doubt that we have such high survival rates today, because we have MODERN medicine, protections, preventions, and treatments.

If we'd left COVID-19 to burn itself out, we would have at the least lost a huge percentage our older generations, and a massive number of younger people with diabetes, kidney or heart disease, and many other ailments. 

Personally, i don't care for those tradeoffs.

Jim

Thanks Jim, well said.

Bulletins # 282 & 283: 25th and 26th

New cases                   905                        824
Day positivity             30.52%                 29.34%
4 week positivity        14.53%                 14.74%
Total active cases      35,670                  35,756

DN                                 373                        257
SD                                  151                        104
Santiago                         83                        130
La Vega                          43                           27
Duarte                            24                          33
Puerto Plata                  35                          73
La Altagracia                 67                           68
Espaillat                         26                           14       
MTS                                11                            8
Monsenor N                   3                           21

La Altagracia should be added to the 6!

President Abinader says that COVID-19 "is under control" in the Dominican Republic

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … CC23471131


He is right in terms of hospitals not be at full stretch yet but that can change quickly.

Plus there has been lax controls in recent days for curfew and drink hours and more perhaps to come until New Year.

My province - Monte Plata is seeing a bounce in cases 4 and 18 in last two days as are many others.

AstraZeneca boss: We think we've figured out winning formula for COVID vaccine

https://news.sky.com/story/astrazeneca- … e-12173341

They are being more cautious with press releases now after the bad PR last month.

The vaccine phase 3 results are being assessed by the UK regulator and could be approved by January 4th.

This is clearly not under control. 

Add to this the increase in violence.  Trauma hospital in Santo Domingo overwhelmed with shootings, stabbings and other fighting related accidents. 

I am sure the frustration is rising, combined with alcohol during the holidays and you have this surge!

Health Cabinet meets emergency this Monday due to Covid-19 boom

https://eldia.com.do/gabinete-de-salud- … ste-lunes/

Not surprising with yesterday's day positivity climbing upwards to 31.42%, 4 week positivity to 14.92% and active cases to 35,695. We are seeing a trend worse than August already.

Sadly it will get much worse before it gets better.

After seeing Santo Domingo you knew cases were gonna spike.

And Santo Domingo has been like this for weeks.

The second wave is well and truely here....see the graph in the attached article!

Dominican Republic Faces Second Wave of COVID-19

It is indicated by the director of the Department of Public Health Epidemiology, Ronald Skewes

In 26 days, more than 22 thousand people were infected

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … AN23482424

I wonder what additional controls will be with us now?

Thank you lennoxnev for the info. is happening all over, personally I do not stress over it anymore and I am in that risk age group ? but really anyone can get it. Hopefully the press over there serves a bit more about educating citizens , here in America is all fear !!! crazy stuff they are allowed to publicize ?  Krumite . Stay well happy new year and enjoy your piece of paradise !!

Every expat is at risk because the best hospital beds aint there now. Very little ICU in Puerto Plata for example.

I am with you on this and indeed I do agree, this is why we all need to stay protected with the use masks just to limit the spread. You are in a blessed area and yes they do have less resources and maybe one of their main industries is tourism, but if you live there year round would you want your cost of living to increase ? and this is not to be contrary to your thinking at all. I will give one example just about costs. I shop locally at a small chain of stores from Europe here in Texas , their prices compared to their competitors locally  are about 70 % lower and better products. I use to pay for 1 gallon of milk which i drink 2 weekly about $1.28 U.S. currency , a couple of weeks ago it went up to $2.28 per the same gallon, please understand that the State of Texas has ample resources for just about everything. I walked to the cashier and cracked a joke by saying wow milk went up, are you sending the cows for covid-testing?  if we do not work as a whole society this could potentially become real inflationary for every nation, and yes it could be handled at a world wide level, but what could be next and I am not mentioning any other strange germ. The point is that we all have to give a fair chance for the world to recover and to prevent the potential erosion of resources into anyone life. I do indeed agree with you . Blessings Krumite

No idea how that relates to the conversation.

The comment was about lack of access to quality medical care!  Good clinics are full. 

Your long winded explanation of grocery prices is not relevant.

Bulletin #285

Total new cases   860
Day positivity  37.21%
4 week positivity    15.18%
Active cases         35,895

Beds are being filled!

DN   312
SD     135
Santiago   88
Puerto Plata 76
La Altagracia   45
Duarte 34
La Vega 31
Sanchez Ramirez 24
SPM 19

Time to add La Altagracia to the 6.

Also it is time to toughen all the controls and curfews with positivity beginning to sky rocket again.

I think they should retract the New Years Eve's travel period. To do otherwise is going to create a very difficult situation in January. DR is heading to a very bad place right now.

Wow just getting worse and worse.

Nothing will change until Friday is my take on this, but from Friday onwards the likelyhoood of tougher restrictions and longer curfews is lookinh high imo.

Abinader to citizens: "they have to maintain order because otherwise we will have to go to greater restrictions"

https://noticiassin.com/abinader-a-la-c … s-mayores/

The President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, warned today that if the restrictive measures with which the government seeks to contain the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be violated, greater restrictive measures will have to be applied, as indicated by international protocols.

"We must and I call and reiterate, they have to maintain order because otherwise we will have to go to times and greater restrictions as indicated by the health protocols," said the president on Tuesday morning.

The head of state said that the population must know that all the measures that are implemented are to preserve the life and health of the people.

In this sense, he asked all residents of the country to act with patriotism, with a feeling of solidarity, with the cohesion of the people, with the whole country and to maintain their distance.

He is asking the wrong people to cooperate. We already are.

My money is on a return to the 5pm curfew nationally for Saturdays and Sundays in January. Perhaps some relief for journeys home only. And closure of all alcohol sales places earlier too at weekends.

Let's see what they do!

This probably provides the answer sought by 'expatrusher' in post #2042 a few weeks back. A state of emergency will probably be approved taking us to the end of February and it is looking a sure bet we will have curfew until then too to deal with a worsening situation. Continuing states of emergency and curfews until early summer are looking probabilities too before any vaccines take effect from March. People here can't manage themselves to social distance etc. so government has had to act.

Abinader requests 45 more days of state of emergency as of January 16

https://listindiario.com/la-republica/2 … 6-de-enero

The President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, asked the National Congress for a new extension of the state of emergency for 45 days, beginning on January 16, 2021.

The request was deposited in the Chamber of Deputies on December 21 of this year and in the same Abinader argued that the new extension will be to continue "facing the spread of COVID-19."

The present state of emergency began on December 1 and ends on January 15, however Abinader explained that because the ordinary legislature could be modified in response to the new request, it was then made for this date.

“The ordinary legislature that began on August 16, which lasts for 150 days, should end in mid-January 2021; however, if this extension of the state of emergency is authorized and declared. The exception derived from article 266, numeral 2, of the Constitution and contemplated in article 13, paragraph 1, of Law no. 21-18, which textually provides the following: kt [m] while the state of exception remains, the legislative chambers will meet with the fullness of their powers, by exception to the provision of article 89 of the Constitution of the Republic, relative to the ordinary duration of the legislatures ”.

The Chamber of Deputies will know this new request this Wednesday to extend the state of emergency.

Makes sense.

UK expected to approve Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine this week

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/28/uk-expe … -week.html

Pascal Soriot, CEO of AstraZeneca, said the pharmaceutical giant will run an additional global trial to evaluate the efficacy of its vaccine. Soriot told The Times newspaper this weekend he is convinced that subsequent data will show his company had achieved an efficacy rate equal to the others, at above 90%.

“We think we have figured out the winning formula and how to get efficacy that, after two doses, is up there with everybody else,” he said. “I can’t tell you more because we will publish at some point.”

He added that AstraZeneca believes the vaccine will be effective against the new strain of the coronavirus, but was running tests to confirm it.

Game changer for world and DR is coming!

I personally, have more faith in the Oxford-AstraZeneca based upon the extensive trials across all age spectrums vice the reported limited age levels used for the Pfizer trials. Still, only time and detailed study of patients after several months will prove/provide/instill greater or full confidence. Bottom line is the world-wide push is good and the first to the start line is not necessarily the best - or even good enough -imho...and we all will need to make the choice....

From 1st January, the curfew begins at 5pm weekdays and noon at weekends for ten days at least.

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … BF23512102

And the complaining has started.   Actually the  curfew is at  7pm tomorrow with no free transit! 

5pm starting New years day and  noon on the weekends.   

They mean business.

Gyms, parks and all outdoor recreational space closed except for tournaments and no  fans watching.

Restaurants and colmados closed except for deliveries.   They can deliver up to  11pm apparently!

A much tougher curfew and strict adherence was inevitable after the laxness of the festive season.

It is somewhat annoying that the country had the lid on the cases 6 weeks ago but the foolishness of a minority now means the majority will suffer.

When the next 45 days of emergency rule gets approved this tougher curfew will probably get extended in February as case rise over the next two weeks.

Tougher policing has already started in my area. There has been a big clampdown on non mask use in the local towns with arrests and fines being dished out. The word is that curfew breaches will be strongly implemented punished with the 5000 peso fine for individuals enforced for all who breach the rules, and holding areas in clubs and other large buildings have been set up. Selling alcohol after 6pm gets a large fine for owners and closure for a period,

Luis gave the population a chance to act responsibly and the some of the population came up short and we all suffer as a result!

The detail of the new decree:

No drinking in bars or restaurants until January 10th!

Government has new measures to stop COVID-19

https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias/gob … l-covid-19

The Government this Wednesday ordered new measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, which include the start of a curfew at 7:00 at night on December 31, eliminating the grace of free transit until 1:00 a.m. early morning of January 1.

President Luis Abinader issued Decree 740-20 that replaces 698-20, which establishes in article 12 that the measures come into effect as of this Thursday, December 31.

It was ordered that from January 1 to January 10, the curfew will be from 5:00 in the afternoon to 5:00 in the morning, Monday through Friday, with two hours of free transit to reach their houses, until 7:00 at night.

Meanwhile, on Saturdays 2 and 9, as well as Sundays 3 and 10, of January 2021, the curfew will be from 12:00 noon to 5:00 in the morning.

The measures were announced at a press conference headed by the Vice President of the Republic and coordinator of the Health Cabinet, Raquel Peña, and the Minister of Health, Plutarco Arias, at the National Palace.

The president had advanced that new measures would be taken to ensure the health of citizens and the well-being of the country, highlighting all the efforts of the Government to control the inherited crisis.

The measures also establish that in the interval from January 1 to 10, 2021, the activities of the different churches or religious denominations cease.

“We are close to seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. The vaccines are promising and today the vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca was approved by the British health authority, after considering it safe, of quality and effective to be used in Great Britain ”, said the vice president.

He recalled that just 2 months ago they signed a purchase-sale contract for the acquisition of 10 million doses, thanks to the backing and support of a group of Dominican and foreign businessmen.

The vice president insisted that the population comply with established health protocols, such as the correct use of a mask, hand washing and physical distancing.

Also, with respecting and valuing the work of the members of the National Police and the Armed Forces.

Also participating in the press conference were the Administrative Ministers of the Presidency, José Ignacio Paliza; of Interior and Police, Jesús -Chu- Vásquez; the directors of the National Health Service, Mario Lama, of the National Health Insurance (SENASA) Santiago Hazim; from the National Police, Major General Edward Sánchez González, from Promese / Cal, Adolfo Pérez; the director of C5i, Luis Rafael Lee Ballester, and Dr. Eddy Pérez Then, advisor to the Ministry of Public Health.

New measures arranged:

Decree 698-20, dated December 15, 2020, which established the curfew regime, is modified in the following terms:

1. The grace of free movement is eliminated as of December 31; therefore, the curfew for that day will start at 7:00 pm

2. It is established that from January 1 to January 10 the curfew will be from 5:00 pm to 5:00 am, Monday through Friday, with two hours of free transit to reach their homes. at 7:00 pm

3. It is established that on Saturdays 2 and 9, as well as Sundays 3 and 10, of January 2021, the curfew will be from 12:00 noon to 5:00 am

4. It is established that employees or contractors of restaurants, pharmacies or grocery stores that provide home delivery services of cooked, raw food or medicines, will have permission to circulate until 11:00 pm, exclusively during the exercise of their work functions.

5. It is established that from January 1, 2021, bars, restaurants and grocery stores will not be able to receive customers who consume at their facilities until January 10.

6. During curfew hours, the following people will be allowed to circulate:

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

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

c) Duly identified persons engaged in private security tasks.

d) Members of the press and other duly accredited media.

e) 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.

f) Vehicle operators dedicated to the urban and interurban distribution of goods, supplies and fuel duly identified exclusively during the exercise of their work functions.

g) People who work in the industry and commerce of food and medical and pharmaceutical products and are in transit to and from their workplaces, provided that they carry identification of a company authorized by the High Level Commission for the Prevention and Control of Coronavirus .

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

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

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

7. From January 1 to January 10, 2021, all open-air public spaces will be closed, such as parks, boardwalks, gyms and those dedicated to sports practices, only with the exception of professional tournaments without assistance of public.

8. It is established that the activities of the tourism sector will continue to be managed with a special protocol as before.

9. It is established that in the interval from January 1 to 10, 2021 the activities of the different churches or religious denominations cease.

In addition to these measures:

We will continue to increase the installed capacity of hospital beds and ICU beds. We will distribute kits in all hospitals in the country for the outpatient treatment of all mild patients; In addition, we will follow up until your full recovery.

Despite what some expats are posting on social media, the tougher controls have been supported by many sectors of Dominican society as a necessity due to failure by a smaller sector of society who did not respect the relaxed conditions allowed by the government in December. As most of us suspected, Dominicans can't all act responsibly towards the betterment of society without limits and these tough new controls have been foced upon the government to try to keep medical services working as the cases soar. It is sad there are expats too who don't care about the betterment of the whole and have been posting for revolt.

Citizens favor new measures against COVID-19

https://noticiassin.com/ciudadanos-favo … -covid-19/

Yes there are some against it including bar associations, but the drinking has been a large part pf the problem.

And the tourism sector, rightly so, is worried that the domestic tourism could suffer due to the weekend hours and have asked for measures to allow returns after curfew on Sundays using hotel receipts as proof. Hard to police unfortunately as there will be abuse.

Trading will just adapt but the loss of weekend hours which is rough on all of us.

Between support and disgust, this is how various sectors react to the new restrictions due to COVID-19

Most complain of the indiscipline of citizens that generates the increase in cases and forces them to extreme the confinement

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … EF23515980

If you stand back and think about this whole matter, this is a family orientated country and not a bar drinking orientated country and it is a minority of citizens that frequent bars and colmados drinking regularly - maybe much less than 20%. And when you see the pictures and videos on socal media it is the same crowd of youngers males and beer swigging plump women. That explains why at least two thirds of Dominicans support covid19 measures.

These same people have been disrespecting the police and military and the President has made note of this in the past few days.

The majority of people are thoroughly pissed off with this minority and their irresponsible behaviour and the suffering it brings on all of us. Expats who think otherwise should get their ears to the ground nationally and not just their very small bubble. DR is no different to any other country when it comes to covid19 and it won't get the needed herd protection with vaccination untill very much later than western nations, so this will be a long haul if all society does not begin to act responsibly together and support this governments caring attempts to balance economy and health. I hope they wake up during the coming ten days and see what may continue.

Well the municipalities have prepared clubs and large holding centres to handle those who break curfew. About time that they act decisively imo.

Early today is madness if you go shopping. I went early to Cotui to the supermarket and it was already getting crowded and many items sold out. Roast pigs were on sale everywhere on the roadsides at early hours with customers. The celebrations for New Year have been shifted forward.

New Years Eve

To be clear to all expats, the curfew today is 7pm and NO travel time allowance as previously advised.

. The grace of free movement is eliminated as of December 31; therefore, the curfew for that day will start at 7:00 pm

You need to be indoors at 7pm

Fine is 5000 pesos per person with confiscation of vehicles and additional fines and recovery costs.

There is already special allowances of transit for  internal tourism. So  the adjustment was made.

Also confirmed beaches are open the  hours allowed by the curfew!

Yes those complaining seem to have the  least "right" to do so.  If you are not a citizen then you must abide by the rules. While we have the "freedom of expression" you do not have the right to deride the govt, incite  people to break the rules etc.   I have confirmed that this can get you into trouble.   And you may not see the results immediately, may happen when residencias are applied for or renewed!

Lets hope these restrictions work.   I am very tired of not being able to enjoy my life fully. But that is what we all need to do!   Hoping for a much better  2021

planner wrote:

There is already special allowances of transit for  internal tourism. So  the adjustment was made.

As the Decree:

There is an allowance for transit to and from international travel:

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

There is travel allowance of 2 hours after curfew during weekdays:

It is established that from January 1 to January 10 the curfew will be from 5:00 pm to 5:00 am, Monday through Friday, with two hours of free transit to reach their homes. at 7:00 pm

But there is no travel allowance mentioned after curfew on the weekends:

It is established that on Saturdays 2 and 9, as well as Sundays 3 and 10, of January 2021, the curfew will be from 12:00 noon to 5:00 am

You need to home at midday is my reading of that.

Thank you for the posting lennoxnev , no one likes the curfews and the restrictions, but we all have to get rid of this thing, by the way the curfews are happening everywhere and I am all for it. This is not a regional problem or a sector problem. I wish would have never happened but it did, now is the time to cooperate and welcome a new 2021 with a greater vision of our future as a human race. blessings to all. Krumite

There is a posted allowance for  internal travel  from the minister of tourism.

You are required to  have your  check out voucher from the resort you stayed at in order to travel home past noon on weekends as well as the ID of the person in the vehicle who booked the stay.

Anyone staying at villas etc, must have a letter from the  Travel Agency who   booked the  stay. Looks like  air bnb was not included.

https://www.facebook.com/MTurismoRD/pho … 137375336/

Sorry cant copy and paste the actual info.

And I found a way....

Para aquellos ciudadanos y familias locales que se encuentren hospedados en hoteles y establecimientos turísticos por las fiestas, y su salida o checkout sea en fin de semana del 1 al 10 de Enero, se permitirá su regreso, con tránsito hasta las 5 pm, mostrando los siguientes documentos:  ⁣
⁣
1. Voucher Check Out del Hotel (o factura de salidad). Este documento debe ser oficial del hotel, conteniendo nombre y logo del mismo.  Debe decir claramente el nombre de la persona y fecha de salida. ⁣
2. Cédula, Licencia o Pasaporte de la persona que aparece en el Documento de Salida. ⁣
⁣
Se necesitará al menos  1 documento de salida por vehículo. ⁣
⁣
Se Instruye a los hoteles a implementar una forma segura y expedita para facilitar estas medidas, incluyendo la entrega de esta factura la noche anterior a la salida. ⁣
⁣
Para el caso de personas y familias hospedados en Villas o alquileres no hoteleros, se permitirá la constancia de reserva emitida por la Agencia de Viajes o Tour operador.  Este documento deberá decir claramente el nombre y logo de la Agencia o Tour Operador, nombre de la persona que alquila y fecha de entrada y salida.  Esto se presentará junto a un documento de identidad. ⁣
⁣
Los hoteles no podrán realizar actividades como fiestas, conciertos, u otros eventos durante el período 1-10 de enero 2021.  Los eventos como bodas, o congresos privados previamente agendados solo podrán tener asistencia de personas que tengan estadía dentro del hotel y cumpliendo el protocolo. ⁣
⁣
Durante el período, se estarán llevando a cabo inspecciones recurrentes a los establecimientos turísticos para garantizar el cumplimiento de estas medidas. ⁣
Faltas en la aplicación correcta del protocolo conllevarán sanciones.⁣
⁣
Las playas públicas estarán abiertas al  hasta el horario establecido para toque de queda anunciado el día de hoy. Cumpliendo igualmente con los protocolos.

Looks like no provision for those that live in the capital and have homes/apartments in other parts of the island to be out after curfew either.

Yep, correct posted this morning on the tourism media arecoa.com.

This is good as it addresses the tourist industry concerns.

[i]Mitur details the handling of tourists in the face of new sanitary measures

https://www.arecoa.com/hoteles/2020/12/ … anitarias/

Given the new measures announced by the Health Cabinet to reduce the chances of an increase in Covid-19 infections in the country, the Ministry of Tourism ( Mitur ) offered information on what the management will be for those citizens and local families who are staying in hotels and tourist establishments for the holidays, and their departure or checkout is on the weekend of January 1 to 10.

They explain that their return will be allowed, with transit until 5:00 in the afternoon, showing the following documents:

1. Hotel Check Out Voucher (or departure invoice). This document must be official of the hotel, containing its name and logo. It must clearly state the name of the person and date of departure. ⁣

2. Identification card, license or passport of the person who appears on the exit document.

At least 1 exit document per vehicle will be required.

Hotels are instructed to implement a safe and expeditious way to facilitate measurements, including the delivery of this invoice the night before departure.

In the case of people and families staying in villas or non-hotel rentals, the reservation certificate issued by the travel agency or tour operator will be allowed. This document must clearly state the name and logo of the agency or tour operator, the name of the person who rents and the date of entry and exit. This will be presented together with an identity document.

The hotels will not be able to carry out activities such as parties, concerts, or other events during the period January 1-10, 2021. Events such as weddings, or previously scheduled private congresses may only be attended by people who stay inside the hotel and comply with the protocol .

During the period, recurrent inspections will be carried out at tourist establishments to guarantee compliance with these measures.

Faults in the correct application of the protocol will entail sanctions.

The public beaches will be open until the established curfew time announced this Wednesday. Also complying with the protocols.

Bulletin #287:

New cases yesterday   1206
Total active cases   37186
Day positivity    28.27%
4 week average   15.95%

All hospitalization numbers growing

DN  544 new cases and 15.48% positivity, SD 252 and 18.25% positivity, Santiago 125 and 18.23% positivity, Valverde 61, Puerto Plata 46 and 21.8% positivity,

You can quickly see why they are reacting to disturbing trends

ddmcghee wrote:

Looks like no provision for those that live in the capital and have homes/apartments in other parts of the island to be out after curfew either.

No, there would be  no way to manage this.  Give and inch and they will take a mile!