The Dominican government is throwing in the towel and joining places around the world that have removed Covid-19 restrictions and left it up to people to do what they think is safe. The announcement comes at a time when the short-lived Omicron wave is petering out. The President argues the country’s lethality rate is one of the lowest globally (0.76%) and the hospitalization rates continue to drop.
President Abinader says it is up to each Dominican to take preventive measures to avoid the spread of Covid-19. “As of now all restrictive measures are suspended, such as mask-wearing, presentation of vaccination card and restrictions in public spaces are now individual responsibility,” he said. “After this long battle we begin to recover liberty. The country needs emotional recovery and to leave the restrictions behind us. Now it is up to all to act with responsibility but without restrictions,” he told the Dominican people.
Abinader spoke on 16 February which marks the year when vaccination began in the Dominican Republic (on 16 February 2021). More than 15 million vaccines have been applied. Nevertheless, the country did not reach the 70% two-dose vaccination rate.
The President made the announcement in a three-minute address shortly after 8pm on Wednesday, 16 February 2022. The President acknowledged the success of the vaccination program, and other health programs such as novel treatments and the country’s being the first country to institute the booster shot. He gave thanks to health care providers, the military and police, business people who gave staff and cash for the cause. He had a special mention for Dominicans who have gotten vaccinated. He motivated more to do so and get the booster shots. The Ministry of Public Health has extensive supply of vaccinations. The country has started vaccinating children 5 to 11 years.
He motivated people to get vaccinated. “We will continue to monitor the situation. The health sector is prepared for any eventuality. We want to recover our way of living. And that starts today, without restrictions.”
In the morning, during the Covid-19 press conference, Collective Health Deputy Minister Eladio Perez had told journalists that despite the decrease in the number of cases, the Covid-19 restrictions such as the use of masks or the presentation of the vaccination card would remain the same.
Stores, schools and hospitals were still requiring that masks be worn. But especially in the provinces, everyday less and less people had been wearing masks. The government had issued a resolution calling for people to get the booster shot to use public transportation and enter government buildings as of 21 February 2022.
The Dominican Republic is the first Latin American country to suspect all its Covid-19 restrictions.
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Presidency
17 February 2022