INFORMATION UPDATED AS OF JULY 14, 2021:
Entry Requirements: Most travelers (for example, from United States, Canada, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Panama, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Puerto Rico, etc.) do not need to present a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival to enter the Dominican Republic. Airports and other ports of entry will perform a quick, aleatory breath test to a percentage of passengers, and all those who present symptoms, upon arrival. Passengers under the age of five and crew members are exempt from this procedure. Passengers who present a vaccination card no less than 3 weeks after the last dose was placed or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival in the Dominican Republic will be exempted from the random test. All passengers will also need to perform a temperature check. Passengers who present symptoms or whose test results are positive will be isolated and attended at authorized locations. Prior to departure, travelers should confirm with their airline provider and airport of origin regarding any testing or other related requirements for inbound flights to the Dominican Republic, or necessary requirements needed upon arrival to their country of origin.
National Protocol for Health Risk Management against COVID19
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NEW MEASURES AS OF JUNE 28, 2021 FOR PASSENGERS FROM AUSTRALIA, BRAZIL, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, INDIA, INDONESIA, IRAQ, IRAN, IRELAND, KUWAIT, MONACO, SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES, SENEGAL, SOUTH AFRICA, SWEDEN, SYRIA, THAILAND, TUNISIA AND UNITED KINGDOM (ENGLAND, NORTHERN IRELAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES), AND AS OF JULY 14, 2021 FOR PASSENGERS FROM SPAIN
All passengers arriving in the Dominican Republic from Australia, Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Ireland, Kuwait, Monaco, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia and United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival or a vaccination card no less than 3 weeks after the last dose was placed. This measure also applies to all passengers coming from the mentioned countries above arriving to the Dominican Republic from another country, and to those who have been in those countries in the last 14 days.
Passengers under the age of five from the above-mentioned countries are exempt from the PCR requirement.
Crew members arriving from Australia, Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Ireland, Kuwait, Monaco, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia and United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) will be required to present a Vaccination Card no less than 3 weeks after the last dose was administered, or the presentation of a negative result of a PCR test performed within the last seventy-two (72) hours prior to their arrival in the Dominican Republic. In case of not presenting the above mentioned, they must remain confined in their hotel or accommodation.
For passengers and crew members arriving from Spain, a negative Antigen test or a negative PCR test are both acceptable.
Passports: All foreign citizens who enter the Dominican Republic, exclusively for tourism purposes, must have a valid passport during their stay and departure from the country. This exceptional measure is valid until December 31, 2021.
COVID-19 Testing: As of January 26, 2021, the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism is offering viral antigen testing to international visitors staying at a hotel to meet the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) travel protocols requiring all travelers ages two and above returning to the United States to present proof of a negative viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) administered within 72 hours prior to departure. The viral test offering will be administered at some of the hotels across the country. For reference, the antigen tests will be performed by technical health personnel and the test results will be certified by the Ministry of Health. Antigen tests are processed faster than PCR tests. To note, while antigen tests are free to qualifying travelers, there is a small out of pocket fee to cover the cost of processing them. Some hotels have decided to absorb this cost, others will charge the guest a small fee, and a few are not part of the program. Please contact your hotel directly to make an appointment or discuss their specific process.
Upon request and at an additional cost, select hotels will also offer PCR tests to guests. As needed, travelers can also make an appointment for viral antigen testing or PCR testing across the country. Click here for more information on the various testing centers from the DR Travel Center or click here to view testing facilities as outlined by the United States Embassy.
This added testing offering is the most recent addition to the Responsible Tourism Recovery Plan and will be revisited on an on-going basis by the Ministry of Tourism in tandem with the Dominican Government to measures its effectiveness, and will be modified as needed to align with international protocols.
Based on the ever-changing nature of the COVID-19 virus, we recommend connecting with your airline or travel agent directly to discuss any protocols that may apply to your country. As needed, we also recommend visiting the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for any updates to international markets and their required procedures. IATA cannot guarantee its accuracy and can accept no liability for any errors or omissions.
Free Health Coverage Plan: All international tourists arriving on commercial flights and staying at a hotel will be granted during the check-in process a temporary, free health coverage plan that provides coverage for emergencies, such as COVID-19 while in-country. The coverage includes medical attention by specialists, medical transfers, transfer of a relative, penalty for airfare changes, lodging for prolonged stays and more. This insurance will be provided at no cost to visitors who check-in at the hotel until July 31, 2021 and will be 100% paid for by the Dominican government. In order to obtain coverage of the health plan the tourist must enter the country exclusively by air and only applies for guests staying at a hotel. For more information or to receive assistance while in the country in the event of exposure, please contact the Seguros Reservas Assistance Line by dialing +1 809 476 3232 so that a representative can determine the appropriate course of action on a case by case basis. For additional details regarding what is and is not covered by the policy, click HERE.
E-TICKET: All foreign and Dominican passengers entering or leaving Dominican Republic on commercial flights must complete the free electronic entry and exit form, which combines the Traveler’s Health Affidavit, Customs Declaration and International Embarkation/Disembarkation forms. The form is available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese and Russian and can be accessed through the following link: https://eticket.migracion.gob.do.
Passengers will need to fill out a form for arrival and another one for departure and the system will generate two QR codes. Dominican airports have free internet access, so that passengers who did not fill out the form before flying can do so when they arrive in the country. To save time during the arrival procedure, we recommend filling out the form 72 hours before the trip, printing or making a screenshot of the QR code and keeping it on hand until arrival, where it will be scanned by the authorities when passengers go through Customs. The QR code will not be scanned during departure, but it is a confirmation that the form was completed correctly. If passengers need to make any changes to the form, they must fill it out a new form. For additional information and to watch an instructional video, please visit: https://viajerodigital.mitur.gob.do/. Passengers arriving on private flights, non-commercial vessels, ferries, cruise ships, etc., do not need to fill out the electronic form. The physical Traveler’s Health Affidavit, Customs Declaration and International Embarkation/Disembarkation forms will be accepted for the aforementioned passengers.
Social Distancing: Airport terminals have established guidelines requiring social distancing as well as the mandatory use of face masks for employees and passengers. Outside of the airports, social distancing of at least 6.5 feet (2 meters) and the use of face masks in public places are required for the general and traveling public within indoor spaces and in areas where social distancing is not possible. These locations include but are not limited to airport terminals, within indoor and outdoor shopping areas, while using public transportation, when seeking medical attention within a hospital or clinic, among others. Social distancing is also required at the beach, and within pool and jacuzzi areas. Facial masks are optional for adults at the beach area, and not recommended for children. All equipment, including life jackets, snorkel, kayaks, pedal boats, etc. will be disinfected after each use. Please contact your hotel, preferred restaurant or tour operator for specific details regarding their protocols. The use of face masks is mandatory in public places and private places of public use in the national territory, as well as the other measures and protocols of social distancing adopted by the corresponding authorities; its non-compliance will be sanctioned.
CURRENT MEASURES BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. ALL THESE MEASURES WILL BE IN FORCE STARTING JULY 7, 2021, UNTIL THE CORRESPONDING AUTHORITIES REVIEW THEM.
CURFEW
To control the outbreak of COVID-19 in country, there is an established curfew in place. While hotel guests will not be required to follow these guidelines within their resort property, they will be limited to stay within the property during the associated hours.
Curfew is established throughout the country Monday through Friday from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., with free circulation until 12:00 a.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. with free circulation until 9:00 p.m. The free circulation is for the sole purpose of allowing people to go to their respective hotels or residences.
Public entities that provide public transportation services, such as the Office for the Reorganization of Transportation (OPRET) and the Metropolitan Office of Bus Services (OMSA), will offer their services during the hours of free circulation.
Circulation during curfew hours: throughout the national territory, the following persons will be allowed to circulate:
Persons with any medical emergency who need to go to any health center or pharmacy.
Employees or contractors of restaurants, pharmacies or grocery stores that provide home delivery service of cooked or raw food or medicines, who shall be allowed to circulate until 11:00 p.m., exclusively during the exercise of their work duties.
International passengers and operators of private or commercial vehicles that are transporting them, as well as employees of the maritime and air transportation sector duly identified, in transit to or from ports and airports.
Employees or contractors of the hotel, mining, and free zones sectors, exclusively during the performance of their work duties.
REGULATION OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SPACES FOR PUBLIC USE APPLICABLE THROUGHOUT THE NATIONAL TERRITORY:
Sale of alcoholic beverages: the sale of alcoholic beverages to be consumed in public and private spaces for public use is prohibited nationwide from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., as well as the consumption of these products in such places.
Regulation of places of consumption of food and beverages: places of consumption of food and beverages throughout the national territory may receive customers in their facilities up to 50% of their total capacity, in strict compliance with current sanitary protocols and without exceeding 6 persons per table in the applicable places.
Regulation of outdoor open spaces: people may use outdoor open spaces throughout the national territory, such as parks and boardwalks, for activities that do not involve agglomeration and in strict compliance with health protocols in force.
Regulation of places dedicated to sports and physical exercise: places dedicated to sports and physical exercise throughout the national territory, such as gyms, may receive clients in their facilities up to 50% of their total capacity, in strict compliance with the sanitary protocols in force.
Regulation of places for the celebration of religious activities: the activities of the different churches and other religious denominations may be held three times a week throughout the national territory, in strict compliance with the sanitary protocols in force and without exceeding 50% of the total capacity of their facilities.
Regulation of other public and private spaces for public use: throughout the national territory, other public and private spaces for public use not expressly mentioned, may receive in their facilities up to 50% of their total capacity. These places must additionally apply those protocols and distancing measures dictated by the relevant entities for their safe operation under the pandemic.
Regulation of the tourism sector: the activities of the tourism sector will continue to be regulated through its sectoral protocol. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the organization, promotion and execution of mass activities, parties, or other similar activities in tourist facilities throughout the country are prohibited.
Prohibition of massive activities and events: massive activities and events involving the agglomeration of people are prohibited throughout the national territory.
Click HERE for more information.
ADDITIONAL MEASURES:
The country reactivated its tourism operation by opening its borders by air. The measures include:
Reactivation of commercial flights to and from the country’s airports.
Hotels restarted operations with the use of contact-free technologies and strict protocols to offer a clean, safe environment and promote social distancing.
Activities in bars and clubs remain suspended as well as massive national and international events and public, cultural, artistic and sports shows involving the agglomeration of people.
It is mandatory to keep social distancing and to wear face masks in all public spaces, such as banks, supermarkets and offices, among others.
Ports, marinas and anchorage facilities to receive yachts, ferries, and cruise ships are open.
Public transportation will operate with schedules according to the curfew, with at least 1.5 meters of separation between users and a limited capacity.
Private transportation companies and malls are operating normally on the allowed working hours, except for casinos. All commercial establishments operating on closed environments must assure a separation of 1.5 meters between clients and the mandatory use of face masks, as well as the compliance of new sanitary measures announce by Public Health officials.
Visiting hours for protected areas and national parks will be Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Salto El Limón, Saltos de Jima, and 27 Saltos de Damajagua are open to the public. The Armando Bermúdez National Park (Pico Duarte), Montaña La Humeadora (Valle de Dios) and José del Carmen Ramírez (Valle del Tetero) National Park are open to the public to stay overnight by prior visit permit 15 days in advance, by contacting yaristy@ambiente.gob.do. Only 100 visitors can stay in the parks per night. To visit the protected areas, you must enter with local guides that are certified by the Ministry of the Environment. Click HERE for more information.
Public beaches remain open to the public during the hours of free movement and will be guarded to avoid crowds, while still practicing social distancing.
As a result of our stringent safety measures and effective vaccination plan, currently, hotel occupancy has increased to 70 percent, further solidifying Dominican Republic as a world example of tourism recovery amidst the pandemic.
100% of the Tourism sector personnel (hotels, airports, restaurants, transportation, etc.) have been vaccinated. Vaccinations in the Dominican Republic are scheduled to conclude before the end of 2021.
Dominican Republic has a robust health care system that has been able to quickly detect cases of COVID-19 in the country. For more information about the coronavirus in Dominican Republic, please visit the Ministry of Public Health’s website. (https://www.msp.gob.do/web/) or download the COVID-RD mobile phone application, available on the App Store and Google Play, that works as a passport in which, through a QR code, visitors can report their condition and access many services and information.
For MITUR, the well-being and safety of visitors remains a priority, so it will continue to work in coordination with the other relevant authorities to further strengthen the country’s preventive measures against coronavirus. For more information visit https://drtravelcenter.com
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