Coronavirus - In the DR

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NanSanPedro

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It's not rocket science.

Just isolate the old people with preexisting conditions, and fat people which the DR has much less of in their population, and let everyone else party.

There is no reason to shut down everything and prevent people from getting together with their families for an important holiday. This may be easily enforced in Western secular countries that have somewhat rejected the sacred meaning of a family, but not in countries like DR. Ain't gonna happen.

Let's hope you're right. But even with what you said about families, is not isolating them also difficult here?
 
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DR fan1990

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Sep 22, 2020
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Let's hope you're right. But even with what you said about families, is not isolating them also difficult here?
Yes it is also difficult in the West.

But then I also hear a lot of people here in Canada say "oh.. a Christmas lockdown won't make too much of a difference for me you know, i dont talk to my family that much anyway! ".. Or "good thing i won't have to spend money on gifts and meals to meet my family AGAIN this year... I'll save money this year!"

Thats something you'll pretty much never hear a Dominican say.
 
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william webster

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Coronavirus self-isolation cut to 10 days - and could be abolished in the new year​


Only 1 to 2 per cent of Covid transmission happens after 10 days, studies have found

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this is good news..... from the UK
 

JD Jones

Moderator:North Coast,Santo Domingo,SW Coast,Covid
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Folks here better start getting used to the idea of a clampdown in the next week or so.

The local daily news services are full of stories from all sides concerning the need to shut things down even more and perhaps even strengthen the curfew.

The numbers are steadily climbing as more and more people are violating the rules.
 
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Cdn_Gringo

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Half measures don't do anyone any good. Either get all in or all out. Sosua is a zoo these days masks on only to get into a building. No distancing on the streets Even the tourists are thumbing their noses at the protocols and of course the PN are only arbitrarily enforcing what they feel like enforcing when they feel like it. Don't know what's happening after 9pm as I am always home long before then, usually before dark.
 
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Caonabo

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Folks here better start getting used to the idea of a clampdown in the next week or so.

The local daily news services are full of stories from all sides concerning the need to shut things down even more and perhaps even strengthen the curfew.

The numbers are steadily climbing as more and more people are violating the rules.

They are only trying to be "trendy" like Nueva York this week.
24/25 and 31/1 will proceed as normal.
Normal as in, if places are closed, persons will find places to go.
Such is life.
 

Caonabo

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Half measures don't do anyone any good. Either get all in or all out. Sosua is a zoo these days masks on only to get into a building. No distancing on the streets Even the tourists are thumbing their noses at the protocols and of course the PN are only arbitrarily enforcing what they feel like enforcing when they feel like it. Don't know what's happening after 9pm as I am always home long before then, usually before dark.

And with all this madness and debauchery going on, you still sleep safe at night.
Go figure.
 

lifeisgreat

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May 7, 2016
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Folks here better start getting used to the idea of a clampdown in the next week or so.

The local daily news services are full of stories from all sides concerning the need to shut things down even more and perhaps even strengthen the curfew.

The numbers are steadily climbing as more and more people are violating the rules.
Flights coming in from Hotspots.. what else could you expect to happen...unless flights stopped really mute to place pretend measures ...one flight from Italy caused last mess what about now?
 

Cdn_Gringo

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Folks here better start getting used to the idea of a clampdown in the next week or so.

The local daily news services are full of stories from all sides concerning the need to shut things down even more and perhaps even strengthen the curfew.

The numbers are steadily climbing as more and more people are violating the rules.
I rumour has it the Prez is going to make a statement on Dec 23. But that seems a long way off and not much notice for any changes. I would hope any changes are announced much sooner so we have to some time to prepare if necessary before they go into effect. .
 

JD Jones

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The vice president just announced the new curfew hours:

Vice President Raquel Peña, director of the Health Cabinet, announced that on 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 of December 25 and January 1.

No overnight celebrations this year.
 

william webster

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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,
 

Cdn_Gringo

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With people driving around until 9pm I don't see much of a practical change in the curfew or that it will be at all effective in limiting people from interacting. This country needs to put its foot down and ensure that everyone is at home and stays there after 7pm if they wish to the curfew to have any chance at all of slowing the spread of disease. These announced changes are pretty much useless in that regard. There is no will here like in many other countries to do what is necessary to achieve the stated objectives. So the spread carries on and will only get worse over the holidays. ...and the people are "having none of it" being even less inclined to be part of the solution than the govt expects.
 

Africaida

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Jun 19, 2009
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What is free transit ?

Why not push back the curfew at the free transit hours ?

Not a curfew, if you can transit freely.

I am confused.

All i know is that I will buy ample alcohol in the morning :ROFLMAO:
 

william webster

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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, will enter into force today and will remain in effect as long as necessary.

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.
 

william webster

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The U.S. was not alone in suffering a resurgence this fall. Much of the world did. But many other countries responded to that surge with targeted new restrictions and, in a few cases, with an increase in rapid-result testing.​
Those measures seem to be working. Worldwide, the number of new cases has fallen over the past week.​
In some countries, the declines are large: more than 50 percent over the past month in Belgium, France, Italy, Kenya and Saudi Arabia; more than 40 percent in Argentina and Morocco; more than 30 percent in India and Norway.​
And in the U.S.? The number of new cases has risen 51 percent over the past month.​
The causes are not a mystery. The U.S. still lacks a coherent testing strategy, and large parts of the country continue to defy basic health advice. One example is Mitchell, a small South Dakota city, where deaths have spiked recently — including the loss of a beloved high school coach. Yet anti-mask protesters continue to undermine the local response.​
Among their messages at a recent City Council meeting, as Annie Gowen of The Washington Post reported: “Positivity defeats the virus.”​
 
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william webster

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The new decree explained in this article from Presidency website:


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.
 

william webster

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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.
 

SKY

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As noted before all the AI's in Punta Cana have no curfew. And almost all guests never leave the premises at night anyway. All tours are conducted in the daytime. Of course a lot are in fact closed, and it is very slow in the ones that are open. Except on the weekend they have a lot of locals in these hotels.
So whatever curfews are mandated does not affect Punta Cana Hotels in general. But Covid Worldwide does affect business greatly.
 
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