The Ministry of Public Health announced new lockdown schedules and restrictions for Greater Santo Domingo (National District and Santo Domingo province). There is a pronounced spike in Covid-19 spread in the capital city area.
Lockdown as of this coming Thursday, 27 May 2021 will be from 8pm to 5am, with three free transit hours. That is, everyone should be in place by 11pm.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Public Health ordered a ban on sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in public places from 5pm to 5am every day in the Greater Santo Domingo area.
Public spaces and private spaces used by the public need to operate at no more than 50% capacity.
The government says that the measures will go into effect on Thursday, 27 May 2021. The government has yet to issue the decree making official the announcement. President Luis Abinader was the first to break the news of the extended curfew hours when participating in a government council that was held in Barahona on Tuesday.
The announcement comes as shopping and mobility is up with preparations for Mother’s Day. Mother’s Day in the Dominican Republic is the last Sunday in May. This year it falls on 30 May 2021.
Public health experts say the higher mobility of especially young people with the lowering of the lockdown hours and reopening of restaurants, bars, discotheques and theaters has contributed to the spread of the disease in Greater Santo Domingo.
The Ministry of Public Health motivates all to get vaccinated. As reported, almost all of the cases of those who have been hospitalized recently for Covid-19 have not been vaccinated or have only one dose.
The National Vaccination Plan is open for all 18+ years with a Dominican ID to get vaccinated in the Dominican Republic.
Read more in Spanish:
N Digital
El Nuevo Diario
El Caribe
26 May 2021