When will DR open for International travel??????

[playacaribe2]

A friend of my wife's, a Dominican citizen from Moca, was repatriated from NY last evening on a Delta flight. They are all now in 7 day quarantine in Santo Domingo.

The takeaway is that any possible commercial flight resumption, and there seem to be many here waiting/hoping for a speedy resumption, would likely come with a quarantine for at least 7 days..........and if this repatriation flight is an example....................it is not a self quarantine.


Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

Update.

A friend of my wife's (dominican citizen) who was repatriated from the US a week ago and was quarantined by Aduana at their private club, was released and is back in Moca. The quarantine period was indeed only 7 days.........not the 14 anticipated.

Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

 

[slowmo]

Wait until they hear that flights are probably not going to start until August 11th

I wouldn't take that August 11th date too seriously. Too many moving parts involved to be able to predict anything 3 months out.

 

[johne]

I've done the same thing, but now British Airways is making you call them to cancel even reward flights, and this can involve days of being held waiting for someone to answer. Hopefully the system works better in the US.

It does work better especially if you have Mosaic status. Today's reservation was from my travel bank that had the points in it from when I cancelled after the border was shut down.One phone call and done (for what it's worth).

 

[TropicalPaul]

It does work better especially if you have Mosaic status. Today's reservation was from my travel bank that had the points in it from when I cancelled after the border was shut down.One phone call and done (for what it's worth).

Oh yes I can do it in one phone call, just getting someone to answer that one phone call in less than 9 hours is a bit tricky.

 

[TropicalPaul]

I wouldn't take that August 11th date too seriously. Too many moving parts involved to be able to predict anything 3 months out.

Agreed, I was told this morning by someone in the know that there is probably going to be some flex in the dates hotels open as a lot of powerful people who own hotels are not happy with this idea.

 

[Bundel2014]

Agreed, I was told this morning by someone in the know that there is probably going to be some flex in the dates hotels open as a lot of powerful people who own hotels are not happy with this idea.

Not many people are going to spend a week in lock down? This may be November?

 

[JimmyGibbon]

Booking is always easy, no shortage of airlines willing to take your money. But the airspace is not yet confirmed as open, so there is a risk your flight will be cancelled, and if it is all you will get is a voucher, not your money back. Also bear in mind when you do get to Santo Domingo there won't be any bars or restaurants or hotels open. No gyms. Even the beaches and parks may still be closed.

 

[windeguy]

Agreed, I was told this morning by someone in the know that there is probably going to be some flex in the dates hotels open as a lot of powerful people who own hotels are not happy with this idea.

Well, and that is a deep subject. We all know that money does usually triumph. In this case, I am not sure money will win.

Many of the comments I am seeing are that things will open too soon.

 

[bob saunders]

Repatriation to Canada: Important information on returning to Canada

The Embassy of Canada in the Dominican Republic is finalizing a final repatriation flight in coordination with the local authorities and WestJet. This flight is to be scheduled from Puerto Plata airport (POP) to Toronto’s Pearson International Airport (YYZ) for May 07.

This repatriation flight would be the last flight returning to Canada from the Dominican Republic for the foreseeable future. As such, if you wish to depart please confirm your interest via email to sdmgo.consul@international.gc.ca as soon as possible so that the Embassy can contact you with the time of the flight as well as the ticket purchasing code specific for this flight which will not appear on WestJet’s list of scheduled flights.

If you are unable to take this flight and need to remain outside Canada for an indeterminate period, review our important advice on what you should do while abroad: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/covid-19-security
Please note:

· You must be in possession of a valid passport in order to travel.
• Each passenger will have to pay for a ticket which is now estimated at a cost of approx. CAD $800. Tickets will be the same price for all passengers over 2 years old.

• If you present symptoms related to COVID-19, WestJet will deny your boarding in order to ensure the safety of other passengers on the plane.

• As a repatriation flight, to accommodate all Canadians who are currently stranded in the Dominican Republic and require urgent repatriation, social distention seating policies will not be applied by WestJet to maximize the number of seats available.

• This will be a Government of Canada contracted chartered flight and, as such, we cannot accept WestJet credits. All refund or credit inquiries should be directed to WestJet via their normal operations and scheduled flights.
· Travelers that require onward travel after arrival in Toronto are required to make their own arrangements separately.

• WestJet has confirmed that in cargo pets cannot be accommodated by the airlines. In cabin pets are at the discretion of the airlines. Note that:

o WestJet limits the number of pets permitted on each flight, so it strongly recommended to request space for your pet as soon as you have completed your booking. If you do not request space for your pet(s) 48 hours before departure, space may not be available, and you may not be permitted to travel with your pet(s).

o Space for pets cannot be reserved online. To add your pet to your travel plans, please contact 1-888-937-8538 (1-888-WESTJET).

o A pet kennel fee applies for pets travelling in the cabin. Please note that an empty kennel or a pet in a kennel will be counted towards your carry-on baggage allowance as either a personal item or a carry-on item, depending on its size.
· In order to board the flight, you will need to bring your own non-medical mask or face covering and wear it as directed by authorities to your final destination. A mask will not be provided at the airport and is mandatory for travel. For further information and guidance, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/public-hea...tructions-sew-no-sew-cloth-face-covering.html.

· WestJet will permit each passenger on this flight one (1) standard carry-on item of maximum 10 kg and one (1) 23-kg piece of checked luggage. This is included in the ticket price. The weight limit and amount of luggage will be strictly enforced. It is unlikely that additional space is available. If you choose to attempt to check additional luggage, the additional bags may not be accepted.

Who can board this flight?

Ticketing will be limited to Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents of Canada, and their immediate family members (parent, spouse, dependant child) who hold valid visas to Canada (or ETA pass where applicable) and who will be travelling to Canada for an essential purpose, as well as other very specific categories of individuals exempted from the current entry restrictions. This is in accordance with the Government of Canada’s Interim Order to Prevent Certain Persons from Boarding Flights to Canada due to COVID-19. If you do not currently hold a valid visa, the Embassy of Canada will not be able to issue one in advance of this flight.

COVID-19 Emergency Loan Program

If you decide not to take this flight, you may no longer be eligible to the COVID-19 Emergency Loan Program. More information on the loan program is available at https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/emergency-info/financial-assistance/covid-19-financial-help

When you arrive in Canada

Upon return to Canada, you must self-isolate (quarantine) for 14 days upon arrival even if you do not have COVID-19 symptoms. For additional information regarding your obligations after returning to Canada, including specifics on provincial regulations, please see: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-hea...us-infection/latest-travel-health-advice.html.

Please consult the Government of Canada’s latest updates on COVID-19 for information regarding who may enter Canada at this time: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...s-covid19/travel-restrictions-exemptions.html.

Transport Canada’s new requirement

Transport Canada (TC) has implemented measures requiring air operators to verify that all travellers have a removable cloth face covering available for use during their trip, even if the travellers are not showing any symptoms.

When travelling by air, Canadians will be asked to cover their mouth and nose where possible, and must do so when a two-meter distance between them and others cannot be observed. Travelers who do not have one available for their trip will be denied entry into the sterile area, or boarding on the aircraft.

It is the travellers’ responsibility to bring the required cloth face covering to the airport. They will not be provided with one if they do not have one. Canada’s embassies, high-commissions and consulates abroad are not in a position to provide face coverings.

For further information and guidance, you may visit:

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-hea...tion-risks/instructions-sew-no-sew-cloth-face covering.html

While still abroad

 

[Cdn_Gringo]

I get the desire to let people out of lock down. I understand the need to allow businesses and employees to make some money. I think we already came to the conclusion that long before there is an effective treatment or vaccine for CV19, there would be a need to open the taps and begin to allow populations to become infected at a rate that was manageable - knowing that would mean more people will unfortunately be killed by the disease.

Clearly some countries depend more than others on tourism and business travel in general. However, until there is a treatment/vaccine, the absolute worst decision govts could make would be allowing people to jet round the world again. It will be difficult enough managing the ever increasing numbers of domestic infected without allowing planes to drop off who knows how many wildcards into the mix day after day.

Even if the DR hotels open as has been announced, I believe it would be a catastrophic mistake to allow hordes of infected into a country that is ill equipped to monitor and treat them and all those they subsequently infect. I do not think anyone actually believes that lifting lock down restrictions is going to result in fewer new cases of CV19. Even if the DR does throw open to the tourism doors, I am hopeful that the vast majority of would be causal travelers will either choose not to travel due to restrictions that remain onerous in their home country or realize that just be cause one can travel again, it is not necessarily a good thing to do until the majority of people have had and recovered from CV19.

This single government decision worries me the most. If the DR decides to prematurely invite the world to come visit again that might just be enough justification to convince me that this country is no longer where I wish to be and it might be time to bug out home where the devil you know with decent medical care is a more palatable alternative than what will surely beset this rock. Maybe I worry too much. From what I am seeing, I think a lot of countries will bugger this up so badly that they are all locked down again in a couple of months.

 

[oldschool]

I get the desire to let people out of lock down. I understand the need to allow businesses and employees to make some money. I think we already came to the conclusion that long before there is an effective treatment or vaccine for CV19, there would be a need to open the taps and begin to allow populations to become infected at a rate that was manageable - knowing that would mean more people will unfortunately be killed by the disease.

Clearly some countries depend more than others on tourism and business travel in general. However, until there is a treatment/vaccine, the absolute worst decision govts could make would be allowing people to jet round the world again. It will be difficult enough managing the ever increasing numbers of domestic infected without allowing planes to drop off who knows how many wildcards into the mix day after day.

Even if the DR hotels open as has been announced, I believe it would be a catastrophic mistake to allow hordes of infected into a country that is ill equipped to monitor and treat them and all those they subsequently infect. I do not think anyone actually believes that lifting lock down restrictions is going to result in fewer new cases of CV19. Even if the DR does throw open to the tourism doors, I am hopeful that the vast majority of would be causal travelers will either choose not to travel due to restrictions that remain onerous in their home country or realize that just be cause one can travel again, it is not necessarily a good thing to do until the majority of people have had and recovered from CV19.

This single government decision worries me the most. If the DR decides to prematurely invite the world to come visit again that might just be enough justification to convince me that this country is no longer where I wish to be and it might be time to bug out home where the devil you know with decent medical care is a more palatable alternative than what will surely beset this rock. Maybe I worry too much. From what I am seeing, I think a lot of countries will bugger this up so badly that they are all locked down again in a couple of months.

What the DR goverment does is not as important as to what each individual travellers countries stipulations/rules are once they return from visiting the DR....and thanks to the " Pilgram incident " ( which is probably known in many countires ) travelling to the DR and then returning back to their country of origin will be at least a 14 day home quarantine minimum for the forseeable future....way to shoot yourself in the foot Roquelito though par for the course

 

[windeguy]

And that schedule from the MEPyD site about 5 stages of reopening that was up and is now down, but is circulating and been quoted by local newspapers is now said by MEPyD to be unofficial.

 

[Caonabo]

Is this a joke? You're so funny. Or you are talking about the footage that is the same for most of the cities? Wondering why the hallways are same in Italy and Madrid and NY...

Once again in your haste to involve yourself, and attempt to discredit others, you dive head first into an empty pool. Does it not hurt by now?
No, the posting was not a joke, and was in response to another poster. Context, context, context. Please pay attention.

 

[Caonabo]

I have a question for some of you guys. Although they say the borders are closed I see several JetBlue flights flying into Santo Domingo from JFK. If the borders are closed what's going on with these flights? For example Jetblue B6 6109.

I guess some of those "in the know", are quite far from it.

 

[windeguy]

I guess some of those "in the know", are quite far from it.

The question about JetBlue flights has been answered. They are repatriation flights. The only passengers on them are heading to their home countries.

 

[Caonabo]

I just got off the phone making a reservation for mid-June JFK to Sto Do.

No problem but interesting when I asked for aisle seat on a return about a month later, they were all taken.
As far as repatriation flights, yes they are still happening as of now. IDK who pays.
BTW, cheaper than ever...no charging more so as to make up . . . BS.

Regarding the lack of aisle seats, quite possibly they are taking new social distancing measures into effect, or playing with the idea as of now. Just a guess. As for the flight, I do not see it happening.

 

[Caonabo]

Repatriation to Canada.
Who would pay CAD $800/USD $567.84/DOP 31799 for a one way flight to Canada of all places?
Oh, the cost of repatriation. What a boondoggle.

 

[Caonabo]

The question about JetBlue flights has been answered. They are repatriation flights. The only passengers on them are heading to their home countries.

Yes, correct you are. All one would have to do is read a few postings here within, and would have had the answer. A quicker response could have been found on the company's website. Unfortunately, most millennials need to have their hands held at all times. The world is a scary place outside of their parent's basement.

 

[windeguy]

Yes, correct you are. All one would have to do is read a few postings here within, and would have had the answer. A quicker response could have been found on the company's website. Unfortunately, most millennials need to have their hands held at all times. The world is a scary place outside of their parent's basement.

As someone who has clients with Airbnb, I cannot emphasize enough how correct you are about millenials. Many of them should never leave home.

 

[El Rey de Mangu]

As someone who has clients with Airbnb, I cannot emphasize enough how correct you are about millenials. Many of them should never leave home.

You're 3 and 0 today WG! What's in that coffee