Covid specialist expects a new wave of Covid-19 cases to hit DR in January

[Dolores]

Dr. Jorge Yunen and Pablo McKinney / Hoy

The Dominican Republic is celebrating record lows of Covid-19 spread as the Christmas holidays unfold. This is the time when hundreds of thousands of Dominicans come home from abroad. Dominicans are returning from dozens of countries that are now suffering from mass spread of the Omicron variant.

Dr. Jose Rafael Yunén is warning the population to stick to preventive methods – vaccine boosters, mask wearing, hand hygiene and avoiding crowds. He alerts against being lulled into the same sense of complacency that has later resulted in major virus outbreaks around the world.

In a TV interview, Dr. José Rafael Yunén said the authorities and the people need to prepare for a fifth wave of Covid-19 to begin in January 2022.

The expert in internal medicine, infectious diseases and critical medicine warned that those...

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[cavok]

Make all of them get covid tests before entering!

 

[chico bill]

I would like any DR1 members confess who actually would follow a recommendation to demand vaccine cards and make Christmas guests or family wear masks for gatherings?
I, for one, laugh at this absurdity.

A "fifth wave". Let's get on our Covid surfboards.

 

[SantiagoDR]

I would be in favor of duct tape for some people!

 

[windeguy]

Israel recommends 4 doses if over 60 or a medical worker.

Omygod Omicron is coming to a town near is and soon.

I doubt the DR would restrict immigration by needing tests to enter.

 

[cavok]

If they don't, I think the OP will be right. Omicron seems to be highly contagious.

 

[Ecoman1949]

Up to this point, they haven’t required vax passes or negative tests to enter the DR, regardless of what country your coming from. Why would they start demanding passes and tests now for DR expats returning for Xmas?

There is something bigger looming on the horizon. Remember the DR government tourism announcement a while back about the 500 K to 750 K Russian tourists expected to visit the DR this winter. That’s Russians vaccinated with the Sputnik vaccine and flying directly from Covid ridden Russia to the DR. I’d be more concerned about that. They will be concentrated in the Punta Cana, Playa Dorada, Cofresi areas and I highly doubt they will stay on the resorts.

That’s a bigger Covid infection time bomb then the DR expats returning for a holiday. Chances are many of the expats are vaccinated, otherwise they are not getting on the flights to the DR.

 

[cavok]

US expats don't need to be vaccinated to fly(?).

 

[cavok]

Omicron is everywhere. Anyone coming into the DR should have a negative test.

 

[Goldenruler]

US expats don't need to be vaccinated to fly(?).

No. You don't need to be vaccinated or show negative covid test to board a plane in the US

 

[cavok]

The DR has been doing very good compared to a lot of other countries. The US and Canada require a test to enter and Europe(I think?) requires proof of vaccination and a test. That hasn't slowed down tourism much. I doubt requiring a test to enter the DR will either. The DR should require it or we could all be back to curfews and lockdowns again.

 

[Ecoman1949]

No. You don't need to be vaccinated or show negative covid test to board a plane in the US

I thought new US travel rules required US citizens returning from international destinations to show Vax passes and do a quick test at US airports and land border crossings?

 

[JD Jones]

You don't need to be vaccinated to board a plane IN (Leaving) the states, you need to show proof when you ENTER.

 

[windeguy]

The DR has been doing very good compared to a lot of other countries. The US and Canada require a test to enter and Europe(I think?) requires proof of vaccination and a test. That hasn't slowed down tourism much. I doubt requiring a test to enter the DR will either. The DR should require it or we could all be back to curfews and lockdowns again.

Going with your logic, curfews and perhaps more will be back and soon.

So far they are not really enforcing the vaccine mandates as described to enter many public spaces.

 

[playacaribe2]

You don't need to be vaccinated to board a plane IN (Leaving) the states, you need to show proof when you ENTER.

Just to clarify, US citizens (only) do not need proof of vaccination to enter the US............but they do need a negative Covid test.

Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

 

[windeguy]

Just to clarify, US citizens (only) do not need proof of vaccination to enter the US............but they do need a negative Covid test.

Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

What about legal residents (aka Green Card Holders)?

 

[playacaribe2]

What about legal residents (aka Green Card Holders)?

And to clarify my previous clarification, all lawful permanent residents (green card holders) are also exempt from providing proof of vaccination to enter the US.

Those in other categories (temporary protected status) are not.

Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

 

[cavok]

Going with your logic, curfews and perhaps more will be back and soon.

So far they are not really enforcing the vaccine mandates as described to enter many public spaces.

There's no real logic involved and I'm not talking about vaccines. I'm just saying that if we see the kind of exponential explosion in cases here like we see going on in Europe and the US because of Omicron, we could very well well see a return of curfews and restrictions. That's why I think the DR should require negative covid tests to enter. I really don't think that will upset the tourism apple cart much.

 

[windeguy]

There's no real logic involved and I'm not talking about vaccines. I'm just saying that if we see the kind of exponential explosion in cases here like we see going on in Europe and the US because of Omicron, we could very well well see a return of curfews and restrictions. That's why I think the DR should require negative covid tests to enter. I really don't think that will upset the tourism apple cart much.

I am not seeing anything that indicates tourism will be restricted in any way, including testing those before boarding flights to the DR. It is all about AI tourism (and Cruisers). They are what is most important in these trying times.

 

[cavok]

I am not seeing anything that indicates tourism will be restricted in any way, including testing those before boarding flights to the DR. It is all about AI tourism (and Cruisers). They are what is most important in these trying times.

I don't see anything definite right now either, but I think there were some articles where some in the government have been suggesting a return to curfews and restrictions. I'm saying that could change if we see an explosion of cases here. Most cruise lines are requiring vaccinations and covid tests to board.