Flight Cancelled

Does anyone know if they will accept a positive antibody report instead of a PCR year?

And that, like most of our discussion, is out of our control. 

All the DR can do is control entries and exits from OUR country.  What others do is out of our control

Jwoddis welcome the the forums.  Yes I believe that is accepted

Well someone of importance and influence in the new government gets it:

The best promotion of the DR, control the pandemic

https://www.arecoa.com/destinos/2020/08 … -pandemia/

David Collado has done very well traveling to Philadelphia to meet with the leadership of the first broadcasting group in North America, Apple. A complete success to meet with Zozaya, Coll and del Peón before taking office.

His advisers have nailed it. I do not know if it was Rafael Papo Blanco who, in his capacity as honorary advisor, suggested that he make such a visit. And if it wasn't Papo, a ten for which he had the idea.

If I were Rafael Blanco or Joel Santos , experts Collado and Abinader will go to for tourism issues, I would tell the president and minister that the best promotion in the country right now is to control the pandemic.

The first mission of the new government should be to reduce the contagion curve. For the good of the Dominican population and for the good of tourism. Much less infections, much more health and much more tourism.

The best advertising campaign is for the world to know that Dominicans, authorities and citizens, are fighting to fight this bloody pandemic with relish. Authorities investing in the media and health professionals and citizens setting an example of responsibility.

Let's wait until after the 16th to see what additional stronger measures will be taken as media reports to control the virus in DR.

Government will provide insurance to tourists and will not do massive tests for COVID-19

https://www.diariolibre.com/economia/go … CC21011399

Considering that all the infection on DR has come from imported cases, perhaps it is short sighted to not test passengers on arrival - but I guess they can't rely on employees to do it properly, and anyhow this reflects what is reportedly happening for some flights.

The insurance angle is interesting with an already endebted state is taking the tab. It is to give DR an edge. Other regional countries are asking the tourist to provide insurance cover or levying a fee.

So now the focus must be on heavily enforcing the mask, social distancing and disinfecting hands plan. I see the police and military out stopping minibuses and public taxis to ensure they are no more than 60% full. Plus motos not using masks properly. The consensus seems the curfew will continue because if may be yielding results and tougher curfew controls will be applied.

Well that's not correct they did not all come from imported cases.   Sure it started that way like every single country outside of China, then it was community spread!

I do not like this plan. Imagine letting Dominicans die due to lack of damn insurance yet giving it to tourists who can surely afford it!   Not impressed at  all!!! No way I think this is right or fair to Dominicans.

Can you please explain the details of the insurance coverage as I cannot read the Spanish article link provided. What exactly is the government proposing ?

The Government launched on Tuesday afternoon the Plan for the Responsible Recovery of the Tourism Sector, with which it seeks to regain the hegemony of one of the most productive sectors of the Dominican Republic.

President Luis Abinader presented the plan, which consists of four main axes: governance, risk management, communication and economic support to the private sector.

The recovery cabinet will be made up of the ministries of Health, Labor, Tourism, which will be accompanied by the Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores).

The Plan, launched in the Las Cariástides Hall of the National Palace, maintains that COVID-19 tests will not be requested from tourists, nor will massive tests be applied at air terminals, but random tests will be carried out on travelers.


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Through the Reserve Bank (Banreservas), each visitor will be provided with medical insurance that will include emergency coverage, cost of long stay and change of flights in the event of any eventuality.

Abinader explained that a health bubble will be created to treat those affected and their families and that in the coming days, the Ministry of Labor will issue a resolution to make labor regulations more flexible, adapted to the circumstances.

"The effective management of this crisis will be the letter of introduction," said the president.

The investment in promotion and financing will be US $ 28 million, according to the president. For that, the international offices of the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur) are disseminating the plan, which according to the authorities, is unique in the world.

The Government will also invest RD $ 420 million in programs to guarantee air routes, through an agreement with the airlines

The problem with testing passengers on arrival, as Heathrow Airport has recently discovered, is a passenger may test negative but still have the virus as the incubation period is estimated between 2-14 days.

The reality is quarantine is the only real solution but of course this would be detrimental to tourism.

Increase testing and track and trace are essential elements of cracking down on this virus.  If the new Gov wants to spend money surely free testing for all might be a better solution than insurance.

Ducketts that will never happen.  They will RANDOM test on arrival and nothing more. 

They will supply tourists with insurance in case they arrive sick or get sick.

However the dominicans who get it are screwed!   

Nice start new government!

For those that may have missed this announcement - from the MITUR web page:

Dominican Government will promote recovery of the Tourism sector

http://mitur.gob.do/gobierno-dominicano … r-turismo/

Santo Domingo, RD.- The president of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader Corona, announced today a set of initiatives to address the challenges facing the tourism sector as a result of the current pandemic and thus ensure that the country is a safe travel destination.

The Responsible Tourism Recovery Plan for COVID-19, led by the President himself, will contribute to taking care of the health, well-being and safety of tourists and will also promote a sustainable recovery of the tourism sector.

"Our goal is to minimize the effects of the pandemic and promote a responsible recovery that prioritizes health, maximizes the potential for job creation and economic growth, and encourages the sector to continue to develop in a sustainable way," he said.

The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, for his part, explained that the new government in conjunction with the National Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (ASONAHORES) has had working meetings to understand the concerns of tourists and the needs of the sector in the country.

“We are focused on promoting the continuous growth of tourism, as well as our country's image, convinced that together we will overcome the challenges of the pandemic and ensure that the Dominican Republic continues to occupy the first place in the region as a destination of choice for our foreign visitors. , both for vacationing, doing business, investing or a favorite place as a second residence, ”he said.

The plan presented by the government provides a set of measures to guarantee the health and safety of Dominican and foreign tourists. These measures will include new internationally certified sanitary protocols and will cover the entire industry, including restaurants and bars.

Measurements include:

Starting at the end of September, random tests of rapid application will be carried out upon arrival in the country, such as the breath test for the diagnosis of COVID-19. Once this measure has been entered, the requirement for a negative COVID-19 test carried out prior to the visit, which is in force until then, will be eliminated.

The use of masks and social distancing, essential elements during the stay in the country, will be mandatory.

As of the last days of September, all tourists visiting a hotel will be temporarily granted a travel assistance plan that will include emergency coverage, telemedicine services, long-term accommodation and flight change costs before the occurrence of a COVID-19 contagion. This insurance will be provided at no cost to the visitor until December 2020, covered 100% by the Dominican State.

A Labor Health Bubble will be implemented to ensure that hotel employees stay within their facilities for as long as possible.

Effective health management will be carried out in the relationship with suppliers, contractors and employees. In the case of the latter, there will be a robust dynamics in the flow to and from the hotels, together with constant testing.

Labor regulations are in the process of being adapted to minimize and mitigate risks for employees.

The government said that this protocol is in the process of certification by both Safe Travels of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and Buró Veritas, both world leaders in certifications in the sector.

The plan will be in charge of a new Tourism Cabinet, led by the President of the Republic himself, under the executive direction of the Minister of Tourism and made up of institutions that directly affect the value chain of the sector. The Cabinet will constantly monitor the impact and effectiveness of each implemented initiative, adjusting when necessary.

This effort will be accompanied by an effective communication plan through all channels and points of contact with tourists and allies to let everyone know that the Dominican Republic is a safe country to travel. The communication plan includes training, detailed material, constant updating and optimization of search mechanisms.

In relation to the above post, the occupancy in hotels last month was reported at 5% of last year:

During the presentation of the Responsible Recovery Plan for the Tourism Sector, Minister Collado indicated that the current hotel occupancy is around 5%, due to the fact that the arrival of tourists in July 2019 exceeds 400,000 and in 2020 it only reached 54,000.

I read there is concern on some quarters about extending the curfew for another 45 days and impact on tourism.

Really this does not affect real tourists who can stay in their resorts and enjoy the facilities immune from curfews. This applies to the vast majority of tourists visting the country. Their health is more important and the tourism plan addresses this as does retaining a state of emergency for however long as is necessary to get this virus under control. The curfew stops all the mingling of people after dark and is effective if policed strongly.

For sure some of those areas that rely on night life such as Boca Chica, Sosua and Juan Dolio will suffer but these places need to adapt to a new reality where bars, discos,casinos and clubs are proven places of contagion worldwide in covid19 times. Bars are not part of Dominican culture anyhow.

Airbnb owners will suffer but that is probably less of a concern for government right now.

Zona Colonial is also in that group for nightlife but is also a much bigger tourism draw in daytime to see the historic sites.

Places like Las Terrenas already tend to close down at about 9pm, so the one hour earlier will not be so damaging.

The larger resort more exclusive resort communities such as Playa Nuevo Romana, Casa De Campo, several in Juan Dolio and Punta Cana will also be isolated from the curfew

As for the rest of us expats we have to like it or lump it in our chosen home where the health of the nation should be important. And we can get meal deliveries until 11pm now.

You are correct we can like it or lump it. 

No issue with supporting tourism. 

Where is the plan to  combat covid, provide medical assistance to the poor and working poor, provide enough assistance so they have food water and electricity?   Where is that????