DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

Wednesday, 21 January, is the Feast of Our Lady of High Grace, the Protector of the Dominican Republic. For the occasions, thousands travel east to honor the Virgin Mary at the Basilica in Higuey. The government has declared Wednesday a national non-working holiday. Nevertheless, the holiday will be followed by the Duarte Day celebrations that turn the upcoming weekend into a long weekend. The Duarte Day holiday falls on a Monday, 26 January.

The Center for Emergency Operations (COE), working with the provincial governor’s office of La Altagracia, announces the start of traffic control and assistance as of Monday, 19 January 2026 after 2pm on the highways and roads leading to the Basilica of Our Lady High Grace in Higuey, the capital of La Altagracia province.

The operation will continue until 6pm Wednesday, 21 January. Some 9,000 agents and volunteers will be scattered along the...