Editor’s thoughts…
With nothing certain about Covid-19, the world’s a lab in progress. As the tourism industry has gotten clearance to reopen in the Dominican Republic on 3 July (subject to change), there is time to learn from what is happening abroad.
People come to the DR for beaches, right? The global experiment of beaches and Covid-19 is on this summer. This is the time to closely monitor what’s happening as people gradually flock to the beaches this summer. The results will be known in time for the DR reopening.
What arrangements have been made for people’s safety? What measures are difficult to enforce? What were the effects? What protocols are being followed? The experience of this summer season will tell how to hone our own health protocols.
Research has shown the spread of Covid-19 is less likely in the outdoors. There’s more airflow and room to physically distance. Yet public health officials are concerned large gatherings could allow the virus to spread. The bottom line still is that the closer that people are together, the more their risk of transmission.
People are told to spend time only with family members and not gather in large groups. People need to remain 6 feet (1.8 meters) apart in the water or on land.
The media is reporting that at some beaches sunbathing and picnics are not being allowed. Yet, at other beaches, chairs and towels in the sand are allowed.
Group sports and ball games, including beach volleyball, are not allowed. Walking, running and swimming are.
Beachgoers may be required to wear face coverings when they can’t keep distance from others. The whole point is to capture respiratory droplets that might be carrying the virus from spreading to others.
And then there is the consideration of answering: “What else can I do at the beach?” Are complementary businesses open in the beach area?
Thousands packed US beaches for Memorial Day on 25 May. The results of the beach experiment will be known shortly.
2 June 2020
Dolores Vicioso
dolores@dr1.com
P.D. This commentary was written before the mass protests in the United States.
NOTE: This commentary was originally part of the DR1 Travel News, available by subscription via dr1.com
By requests of readers, we will now be posting the commentaries online in the forums.