On Sunday, 29 March 2020 Dominicans read several social media messages “tipping” people that a total lockdown would be declared. Thousands headed for the supermarkets to replenish their stocks. Dominicans have been ordered to stay at home since 20 March 2020. Making matters worse on Monday, nevertheless, at the end of the 6am curfew, hundreds of persons transiting from eastern Santo Domingo to the National District met with an unexplained roadblock at the Juan Bosch Bridge over the Ozama River. The roadblock would not be lifted until 9am.
Defense Minister Ruben Paulino Sem explained the measure saying the roadblocks at the entry and exit points of the Great Santo Domingo were to control these and ensure that no unnecessary mobilizations are being carried out. There is no legal disposition that impedes people from circulating outside of the curfew hours, nor have these been extended outside of the 5pm to 6am hours.
Spokesman for the Police Colonel Frank Duran Mejía defended the roadblock as part of a tightening of controls on entry and exit against the spreading of the virus. The roadblock was maintained from 6am to 9am on the bridge and caused major inconveniences to thousands.
TV reporters showed views of the blocked vehicles and when this went viral, the uncertainties and thousands reacted going to the stores to shop. They were met with long lines as supermarkets have instituted obligation to keep a meter between every person entering the store. To shop, a facial mask is required.
The roadblock seemed to confirm the messages that were circulating on social media that a 24-hour curfew would be called. Even more people took to the stores to stock up for the would-be 14-day lockdown. Given that most unessential businesses are closed, thousands had the time to go shopping. The agglomeration of people was exactly what the Ministry of Public Health had been recommending against.
On the morning of Monday, 30 March 2020, Administrative Minister of the Presidency said that the government is not contemplating a total lockdown to stop the virus.
Public Health Minister Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas had said on Monday that San Francisco de Macorís is being taken as a model city of worst scenario for the spreading of the disease. He said what happens there will determine whether more drastic measures are taken. The director of the Police, Major General Ney Aldrin Bautista has said the Police has “shut down the city plan” but this would not be enacted without an order from the High Commission for the Prevention of the Coronavirus.
Dr. Waldo Ariel Suero of the Medical Association and several medical associations have called for the total lockdown for 14 days to curb the disease. Dr. Suero says only this measure will curb the disease. “It has the advantage that it avoids spreading the disease, detects the cases when persons without symptoms become ill at home, making these easy to locate, and isolates the ill,” said Suero.
Business sectors see the 14-day measure as a short-term hardship that will reduce having to keep other less strict measures for longer. William Figuereo, spokesman for a large passenger transport company, said on TV: “If this is what we have to do, then we will have to do it.” He said it had worked in other countries.
Sociologist Melvin Mañón writes that the total lockdown is not practical because the government has no way to enforce it. He pointed to the difficulties the government is having in implementing the 5pm to 6am curfew. Around 2,000 people every day are arrested by the Police and military for violating the curfew. Hundreds of thousands of residents in the Dominican Republic are employed in businesses that have had to close, sending workers home without pay. This includes thousands of Haitians that worked in construction, hotels and restaurants. Hundreds have started to return to Haiti, where the disease is just starting.
Diario Libre reported on 31 March 2020 that around 120,000 workers had been suspended without pay at the Ministry of Labor.
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31 March 2020