President Danilo Medina addressed the nation with actions to be taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the Dominican Republic. The President did not call for a strict nationwide lockdown but announced severe restrictions on daily life activities for 15 days. The government will be continuously assessing the situation. A large number of the measures announced on Tuesday were already spontaneously being implemented nationwide.
Medina encouraged the Dominican people to stay at home, follow extreme hygiene guidelines and reduce mobility outside the home to a minimum. Among the measures announced is that private labs will be able to test people for the virus to facilitate early detection of cases and increase self-quarantine of these. He said the labs are obligated to report the results to the Ministry of Public Health. He said the government would continue to issue reports on the development of the virus.
In his address at 9pm on TV, the President announced new restrictions to economic activities for at least the next two weeks. Previously, flights and cruise ship arrivals had been suspended. The President says the National Covid-19 Follow Up Commission will be announcing other measures. The Police is ordered to ensure the measures are complied with.
The measures to be implemented as of Thursday, 19 March 2020 are:
- National Emergency Declaration to be approved by Congress.
- Land, sea and air ports are closed for 15 days.
- Only flights coming to pick up foreigners to return these to their countries of origin, and fuel tankers are allowed.
- Classes inside schools and universities are to close until 13 April. Virtual classes may continue.
- Events and gatherings of people of any kind are banned for the next 15 days.
- Restaurants and food businesses are only allowed to remain open for delivery services.
- Flea markets are banned from operation countrywide and at the border.
- All political events and campaigning is suspended, including public work inaugurations.
- Only grocery shops, supermarkets, pharmacies, gas stations, hospitals and medical labs are allowed to remain open. All other businesses should suspend all activities.
- Employers should send home their employees that are 60 years or older, and remaining staff should alternate so that only 50% are at the company premises.
- Employers should encourage employees to work from home for the next 15 days.
- Private labs are authorized to carry out Covid-19 lab tests. The test will be added to the list of coverage by health insurance providers.
- To reduce losses of businesses, President Medina announced the government would be flexible with taxation plans that cover hotels. There would be flexibility with the payment of tax payment advances. The Monetary Board would be permanently in session to issue a package of monetary measures to guarantee economic stability. The Minister of Hacienda and Central Bank governor would work closely to coordinate these measures.
- Government social plans would intensify efforts to offer low cost or free meals to the most vulnerable (Comedores Economicos).
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Listin Diario
Acento
18 March 2020