Trudeau and Biden administrations’ recent announcements have dealt a heavy blow to the Dominican government’s attempts to revive the country’s tourism industry. Last week, Canada issued a cancellation of all flights to the Caribbean and Mexico until 30 April 2021. On the other hand, the US government announced that all travelers entering the United States after 26 January must carry proof of a negative PCR or antigen test administered within 72 hours of the flight time. The US measure also calls for a sworn statement of having had the test (given the possibility of lying, corruption and other evils). The penalties for false statements are fines and jail sentences. Even worse, travelers will be expected to self-quarantine after arrival.
These moves have travelers seriously considering canceling or postponing their vacation and/or business travel plans. The required quarantine is especially discouraging to travelers on business trips and families who travel to the Caribbean for a winter vacation. Most of the tourists that visit the DR are from North America.
The blow is especially hard regarding Canadian travel. Around 70% of Canadians travel January to April winter season. The cancellations primarily affect Air Canada, Air Transat and Sunwing flights that transport thousands of sun-seeking tourists.
Travel of friends and relatives have continued. Likewise, thousands of those who traditionally come to spend the winter at their second homes or regular rentals in the country have continued to do so. New protocols enable tourists to continue on with their vacation in these pandemic times. Nevertheless, occupancy at hotels is around 30% of what it was at this time in 2020, before Covid-19. Good deals at the hotels have boosted domestic travel that on weekends brings occupancies to around 50%.
Travel from Canada to the DR is still possible via the United States. Returning citizens will need to present a PCR test taken in the Dominican Republic. Local hotels and laboratories are making this easier to coordinate. Labs are giving priority to tourists that present a travel ticket. The free government travel insurance, valid for stays at resorts and select hotels, includes the antigen test at the hotels.
Laboratorios Referencia, the largest private lab company, announced this week that anyone who has a travel ticket can show up after 2pm at any of the branches to test for PCR or antigen test to meet the 72-hour pre-flight requirement. Otherwise, the company requires persons to have an appointment made online or by telephone.
The new Referencia Covid Express PCR, issues results in less than 24 hours, and is available for Santo Domingo, Santiago, Punta Cana, La Romana and Puerto Plata, the leading Dominican tourism destinations. Referencia offers antigen test results in three hours at the Santo Domingo, Santiago, Punta Cana, La Romana and Puerto Plata branches.
Another leading laboratory, Amadita is offering antigen test results in two to four hours at their many branches nationwide, including at Las Americas International Airport. But the laboratory says that travelers should make arrangements to test before arriving to the airport to ensure they make their flight on time.
Read more in Spanish:
Laboratorios Referencia
Amadita Laboratorios
Air Canada
Air Transat
DR1 Forums
Listin Diario
Diario Libre
31 January 2021