With Covid-19 test positivity edging towards 29%, the Chamber of Deputies on Friday, 17 July and the Senate on 19 July passed the request sent by President Danilo Medina for a 45-day National State of Emergency. President Danilo Medina is expected to announce on Monday, 20 July new restrictive measures that would be in effect through 3 September 2020. The Presidency has scheduled an early morning meeting with the Covid-19 government commissions.
There is widespread speculation of what the National State of Emergency will bring. Prior to the passing of the bill in the Senate, President Danilo Medina and President-elect Luis Abinader had met for five hours to listen to the local medical authorities and harmonize a new course of action between the outgoing and incoming government officials. The new government begins 16 August 2020.
Presidency Minister Gustavo Montalvo has said airports would not close again. Furthermore, there is speculation evening and weekend curfews may be again imposed. These have been requested by the Dominican Medical Association and the Pan American Health Organization to quell the present outbreak of the disease.
The Civil Defense announced the shut down of beaches and watering spots nationwide, as reported in N Digital on Monday.
Read more in Spanish:
El Nacional
Listin Diario
El Nuevo Diario
N Digital
20 July 2020