The National Emergency Commission (CNE) has ordered 104 swimming spots all over the Dominican Republic to be shut down during Holy Week (Semana Santa) celebrations. The areas in question are considered dangerous for vacationers due to contamination or tricky currents and will not be supervised by Civil Defense or CNE volunteers. The CNE will have 350 ambulances stationed around the country and the volunteers will be seconded by members of POLITUR, the Navy, various fire departments and the Red Cross. There will be first-aid stations with 24-hour service along the highways and at many of the beaches. Volunteers and other workers will be easily identified by their bright orange uniforms and t-shirts.
For the interest of our readers, DR1 Daily News includes the list of those areas where swimming has been prohibited during this Easter Week. The beach or fresh-water swimming hole areas are considered unsafe for swimming, due to such things as dangerous obstacles or strong currents.
Puerto Plata. Beaches: Acapulco, Sand Castle, Encuentro, La Bonita. Swimming holes: El Canal, La Bombita.
Santiago. Swimming holes: Arroyo La Zurza, Represa La Otra Banda, Timbeque, El Hormiguero, Arroyo Hondo, Tavera Dam, Bao Dam, Lopez-Angostura Dam, Arroyo Gurabo, La Penita.
Monsenor Nouel (Bonao). Swimming holes: Rincon de Yuboa Dam, Plaza del Sol, El Dique, Rio Bonito in Los Quemados, La Poza de Angel Pena, Rio Colorado.
Samana. Beaches: Gran Estero, Chinuela, Frances, El Valle, Boca del Limon, Los Mesias.
La Romana. Beaches: Boca de Chavon. Swimming Holes: Hoyo de Chulin, Las Tres Aguas, Rio Dulce, Chavon.
San Pedro de Macoris. Beaches: El Muerto, Hawai, Marota, Villa del Mar, El Muelle, Las Sardinas. Swimming holes: El Puente, La Manguita, La Fuente de Angelina, Ramon Santana, Rio Bajito, La Piscina, El Uno, Desembocadura, Rio Soco.
National District/Santo Domingo. Beaches: Guibia, Los Gringos, Sans Souci, El 13 Manresa, Control de Guaguas. Swimming holes: El Charco, La Piedra, El Hoyo, El Puente (Palave), El Ocho La Victoria, Manati La Victoria, El Pozo La Malena, La Pocita, Pozo Bayohan, Bayona La Malena.
San Cristobal. Swimming holes: Los Cuadritos, Los Canones de Nigua, Puente de Nigua.
Azua. Beach: Caney.
San Juan de la Maguana. Swimming hole: Palero.
Barahona. Beaches: Acapulco, Saladillas, San Rafael, Caleton, Los Patos. Swimming holes: Rio Cano, Salto del Maiz.
Jarabacoa. Swimming holes: Salto de Jimenoa, La Poza, El Charco 12.
Sabana Grande de Boya. Swimming holes: Charco del Mango, Rio Yaguasa.
Santiago Rodriguez. Swimming holes: Rio Guayubin, Charco 7 Aguas, Paso Hato Viejo.
Elias Pina. Swimming holes: El Llano, El Jobo.
San Jose de Ocoa. Swimming hole: Tres Pailas.
Sabaneta. Swimming hole: El Paraiso.
Espaillat. Swimming hole: El Charco.
Sanchez Ramirez. Los Bambues.
Cotui. Swimming hole: El Vivero, La Trifulcacion, Hatillo Dam.
Cabrera. Swimming hole: Boca Catalina.
Maimon. Swimming hole: Rio Colorado, El Baden.
Monte Plata. Swimming hole. Comatillo.