Gustavo Montalvo, coordinator of the High Commission for the Prevention of Coronavirus, announced the government will be purchasing poultry, dairy products and vegetables for distribution in food kits to the needy.
The government announced reaching an agreement with the Dominican Poultry Association for a pledge program for 1.5 million chickens with the backing of two commercial banks. The poultry producers had announced they do not have cold storage capacity for the oversupply that had been destined for consumption by hotels, resorts and restaurants around the country. Likewise, the poultry producers have been affected because small businesses that sold live chickens were closed by the present lockdown. Montalvo said the program calls for the purchase of 5.6 million pounds of chicken to distribute 525,000 pounds of poultry daily. Previously, poultry producers complained the net price the government was offering was too low.
The government announced an agreement with the Dominican Association of Dairy Processors for the purchase of 260,000 pounds of cheese. Montalvo said this is in addition to the public school food program that already purchases 800,000 liters of milk for distribution to public school families through the National Institute of Student Welfare (Inabie).
The government also said that 50,000 pounds of tomatoes will be purchased every day from tomato producers. Montalvo said that this is part of efforts to assist producers that have been affected by distribution channels due to the coronavirus crisis.
Montalvo announced that 1,000 persons had been penalized with fines and another 5,000 with community labor for violation of the curfew. Un authorized vehicles circulating during curfew hours are being retained for 48 hours. He said that 45,308 persons had been arrested as of 20 April 2020 for violating the curfew that is from 5pm to 6am. He also explained 1,569 businesses, including spare parts shops, hardware stores, beauty parlors, and remittance offices were closed for violating social distancing and curfew rules.
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Listin Diario
Ministry of the Presidency
22 April 2020