Getting stuck in the DR

[DR fan1990]

For those of you who are Canadian, what are the chances that the Canadian government closes its borders again in January due to covid?
I really wanna go but i don't wanna get stuck in the DR. I'm supposed to return to Canada on January 15, do you expect our government to close borders to all international flights all over again by then?

 

[nanita]

Flights have never ceased arriving and departing from our great nation of Canada, from day 1 of the pandemic up to the present moment. They repatriated stranded folks during the initial lockdown. You might have to wait for a flight but I'm pretty sure they would try to get you back at some point. More draconian lockdowns announced today in Ontario. I wouldn't be surprised to see that total douchebag Justin Trudeau tightening things up after X-mas. See the UK and Australia in recent days for reference.

 

[Ecoman1949]

Currently all Canadian citizens are allowed to return to Canada from all international destinations. You may be subject to a 14 day isolation period and testing. I don’t expect this to change. Keep calm and carry on. I’m in NL. Wish I was in Puerto Plata. Merry Christmas and stay safe wherever you are.

 

[Hlywud]

Great anwser , but You WILL be subject to a 14 day isolation period and not be required for testing.

 

[Russell]

I wanted to return to Canada last March, but reoccurring medical challenges that Mimic COVID continued to keep me from flying.
Probably just my 77 year old carcass telling me to stay in a warm place...that part is good.
I am hoping that in January I will be well enough to travel back home.... and yes I will isolate for 14 days and get tested again... none of which cause me any concern. However I do not have to go to the workplace like others whom are much younger.
Getting stuck in DR is an interesting topic for sure as it has a varied of meanings. For me it is the feeling of being alienated from my own culture, missing going to my local supermarket to get the special foods that I like and are good for me.
Since I have had three strokes in the past 2 years my articulation of languages has been reduced considerably; and unless someone speaks slowly I have no understanding of what they are saying...that puts me in my own little bubble.

I wish I could express what I am feeling being ''stuck'' in the DR really means.... maybe that I cannot get out to go anywhere else.
In Canada and since I am Canadian to the marrow ; I simply feel as a different person than here , or for that matter any other place on the globe where I have worked and lived, out of the comfort zone, an alien, ''Beam me up Scottie'' .....

 

[Cdn_Gringo]

The more germane question is not will the CDN Govt close the borders to flights which is doubtful. The issue is will the airlines cancel or suspend the service you are relying on to get back to Canada.

 

[Russell]

For those of you who are Canadian, what are the chances that the Canadian government closes its borders again in January due to covid?
I really wanna go but i don't wanna get stuck in the DR. I'm supposed to return to Canada on January 15, do you expect our government to close borders to all international flights all over again by then?

The last time this happened in April the Canadian Government provided repat flights from several airports...however the latest missive from the Canadian Embassy in SDO tells Canadians that if they travel to international destinations it is against Government recommendation so one could be expected to be stranded...Its a crap shoot at best.

 

[Ecoman1949]

Britain and Europe are reacting to the new strain of Covid by closing borders nationally and internationally. Until they get a better handle on the potential of this new strain, expect more travel chaos. It hasn’t hit North America yet but no one knows for sure. All UK scientists are saying at this point is it appears to be no worse or infectious than the previous strain. Regardless Canadian borders will not be closed to Canadian citizens. More stringent entry requirements once Canadians arrive in Canada, may be required. Brits have been arriving in the DR through Spain when that was allowed.
I know some Brits who were travelling to the DR for Xmas through other airports into Punta Cana. I’m not sure if they are restricted from leaving Britain now because of the new strain. Just another piece of the Covid puzzle that reinforces the need for masks, distancing, and restricted socializing.

 

[josh2203]

Britain and Europe are reacting to the new strain of Covid by closing borders nationally and internationally. Until they get a better handle on the potential of this new strain, expect more travel chaos. It hasn’t hit North America yet but no one knows for sure. All UK scientists are saying at this point is it appears to be no worse or infectious than the previous strain. Regardless Canadian borders will not be closed to Canadian citizens. More stringent entry requirements once Canadians arrive in Canada, may be required. Brits have been arriving in the DR through Spain when that was allowed.
I know some Brits who were travelling to the DR for Xmas through other airports into Punta Cana. I’m not sure if they are restricted from leaving Britain now because of the new strain. Just another piece of the Covid puzzle that reinforces the need for masks, distancing, and restricted socializing.

Based on a couple of sources (one here: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55385768): the new strain is no worse as such but much easier to get... Flights to Europe from the UK are being banned...

 

[bob saunders]

Great anwser , but You WILL be subject to a 14 day isolation period and not be required for testing.

Depends in Alberta they have a different set up, they will test you at the airport, quarantine you until the results of the test, and if negative you will only be subject to about 4-5 days of quARANTINE.

 

[Ecoman1949]

So that vaccine is now worthless.
Another excuse for more lockdowns.

No and yes. The current suite of vaccines is still effective even against the new mutation according to UK medical scientists. The issue is hyper transmissibility. Faster spread through the population. If this is true and the mutated Covid virus eventually reaches the DR than further shutdowns may be required to limit the spread until enough of the population has herd immunity through inoculations. That will take months, maybe another year. I doubt the DR government will bar UK tourists so it’s just a matter of time before the new mutation arrives. British tourists and expats have been entering through Santo Domingo and Punta Cana airports for a while. Testing has been limited at both airports. A recipe for continued closures.

 

[TropicalPaul]

No and yes. The current suite of vaccines is still effective even against the new mutation according to UK medical scientists. The issue is hyper transmissibility. Faster spread through the population. If this is true and the mutated Covid virus eventually reaches the DR than further shutdowns may be required to limit the spread until enough of the population has herd immunity through inoculations. That will take months, maybe another year. I doubt the DR government will bar UK tourists so it’s just a matter of time before the new mutation arrives. British tourists and expats have been entering through Santo Domingo and Punta Cana airports for a while. Testing has been limited at both airports. A recipe for continued closures.

A friend arrived on the British Airways flight on Thursday to Punta Cana and said there was no Covid testing at all. So I agree

 

[william webster]

My daughter was on that flight
She's testing tomorrow... Monday

 

[johne]

I wanted to return to Canada last March, but reoccurring medical challenges that Mimic COVID continued to keep me from flying.
Probably just my 77 year old carcass telling me to stay in a warm place...that part is good.
I am hoping that in January I will be well enough to travel back home.... and yes I will isolate for 14 days and get tested again... none of which cause me any concern. However I do not have to go to the workplace like others whom are much younger.
Getting stuck in DR is an interesting topic for sure as it has a varied of meanings. For me it is the feeling of being alienated from my own culture, missing going to my local supermarket to get the special foods that I like and are good for me.
Since I have had three strokes in the past 2 years my articulation of languages has been reduced considerably; and unless someone speaks slowly I have no understanding of what they are saying...that puts me in my own little bubble.

I wish I could express what I am feeling being ''stuck'' in the DR really means.... maybe that I cannot get out to go anywhere else.
In Canada and since I am Canadian to the marrow ; I simply feel as a different person than here , or for that matter any other place on the globe where I have worked and lived, out of the comfort zone, an alien, ''Beam me up Scottie'' .....

If you were to have any downturn in your health, even a tiny bit.. where would you like to be? Which country will afford a better chance at recovery from any health related issues? Three strokes in two years is heavy duty and I imagine you don't have a sense of security "getting stuck here".

 

[DR fan1990]

I postponed my departure to January 1. I was supposed to leave on December 25, then take Metro bus from POP to SDO the next daty.

But with these new holiday restrictions in DR, its too much of an uncertainty. Metro bus even told me they aren't sure yet if they will be operating on the December 26. Same with Caribe Tours. Its all pending gouvernement announcements.

Better to go after January 1st when the dust settles.

 

[Russell]

If you were to have any downturn in your health, even a tiny bit.. where would you like to be? Which country will afford a better chance at recovery from any health related issues? Three strokes in two years is heavy duty and I imagine you don't have a sense of security "getting stuck here".

Well a sense of insecurity exists since being here has triggered several concerning items. I was declared a Non Resident by Canada within a week of leaving the country (Jan 7th 2020). My Legal and Accountants are working on that ,,,still! Thats how they make money.
I applied for Residence here in DR but the application was compromised here in DR so I had to return to Canada to do more procedures than was initially asked by DR Immigration. But covid 19 appeared and shot that thought down.
MY medical insurances have all expired here ....so unless I pay my own way I am SOL. So I pay.
I personally do not like being an illegal Alien so I shall return to Canada the first opportunity after New Years Day... off in 2021 January latest.
So I return, no big deal!
The medical treatment I require is paid for by Veterans Affairs Canada , so my lack of Insurance in Canada will not be compromised.

But I do not panic, stress is not good for the soul.
Learn to live with it and learn to deal with it.

No biggie.
Happy Holidays
Russell

 

[Ecoman1949]

Well a sense of insecurity exists since being here has triggered several concerning items. I was declared a Non Resident by Canada within a week of leaving the country (Jan 7th 2020). My Legal and Accountants are working on that ,,,still! Thats how they make money.
I applied for Residence here in DR but the application was compromised here in DR so I had to return to Canada to do more procedures than was initially asked by DR Immigration. But covid 19 appeared and shot that thought down.
MY medical insurances have all expired here ....so unless I pay my own way I am SOL. So I pay.
I personally do not like being an illegal Alien so I shall return to Canada the first opportunity after New Years Day... off in 2021 January latest.
So I return, no big deal!
The medical treatment I require is paid for by Veterans Affairs Canada , so my lack of Insurance in Canada will not be compromised.

But I do not panic, stress is not good for the soul.
Learn to live with it and learn to deal with it.

No biggie.
Happy Holidays
Russell

Good approach Russ. We learned from the master of avoiding stress. Our mutual Luperon friend, the dear departed Gill, our “entrepreneur”. I still remember walking into the kitchen of his lair one day, nearly slipping on the chicken shite covered floor, and sitting down to enjoy a drink of strangely named Russian vodka given to him by some shyster. His wife away, his kids running wild, and visitors of all kinds going in and out his door. He was a Zen master when it came to avoiding stress. I have no doubt he would have turned the pandemic into some sort of DR business opportunity. Feliz Navidad amigo. Canada awaits your return.

 

[rubio_higuey]

UK flights are now banned to DR.

 

[melphis]

When we went back in March (Alberta) it was so cold we isolated for 25 days. I was not going outside it the temp was below freezing. We don't know when we will go back this time. It all depends on how locked down Canada is compared to the DR. We will stay here indefinitely if the Canadian government is still running around in panic mode.

Getting home shouldn't be a problem but if Air Canada halts service we can get back through several US cities. A bit more of a pain but that's the way it is now.

 

[william webster]

Given the UK/DR situation, My daughter's Jan 7th flight - PUJ-GTW has been cancelled

Looks like POP-NYC-LHR is an option