2020 – Page 260

It’s the seasonal flu that Dominicans need to be concerned about, says Zacarias Garib, director of the Immunization Program of the Ministry of Public Health. Garib observed that Dominicans are all talking about the coronavirus, when there are thousands of cases of influenza in the country. He says in the past four years, 61 persons …

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Public Health Minister Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas said that the five travelers who had arrived after being recently in China and who were isolated at the Ramón de Lara Military Hospital were released after it was confirmed they did not have the coronavirus. Of 17 travelers, the five were kept under observation following the protocols in …

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The Central Electoral Board (JCE) announced that municipal election results will be streamed as soon as 50% of the votes have been registered. Voting is from 7am to 5pm on Sunday, 16 February 2020. The JCE says that nevertheless, the vote count will be preliminary, pending for the completion of the vote tally. The opposition …

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The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) contracted Pro V&V, Inc. on 18 January 2020, to perform a pre-election assessment of the automated voting system to be used in the Dominican Republic’s 16 February 2020 municipal elections. Some 158 municipalities will be electing city government officers. 7.2 million Dominicans are eligible to vote. The IFES …

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With the Sunday, 16 February 2020, election around the corner, the Medina administration has been slightly dropping fuel prices. Fuel prices are now RD$225.10 per gallon, down RD$4.30, and regular gasoline costs RD$209.60 per gallon, also down RD$4.30. Diesel is costing RD$177.90 per gallon, down RD$8.00. Propane is at RD$96.30 per gallon, and natural gas …

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Hacienda (Treasury) Minister Donald Guerrero announced that the Punta Catalina power thermoelectric power plant will be inaugurated in late February. The Medina administration has plans to sell the power plant as soon as both units are in operation. Guerrero said the government expects in the next 60 to 90 days to receive offers from groups …

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When presenting the annual report for the Ministry of Hacienda (Treasury), Minister Donald Guerrero said the next government will have the challenge of increasing taxes. He said the fiscal burden in the Dominican Republic is at 14.4%, when the regional average is 23.5%. He said the next government must undergo a fiscal reform, citing the …

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The Medina administration borrowed more than US$5.3 billion in foreign debt in 2019. Nevertheless, Hacienda (Treasury) Minister Donald Guerrero says the next government will receive robust public finances. Presenting the annual report for 2019, Guerrero said that public finances are attractive for the investment climate, there have been improvements in fiscal indicators, and there is …

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The Senate passed the Extinction of Ownership Bill on Wednesday, 5 February 2020. The bill would enable the state to seize property originated from, or linked, to criminal law violations. The bill creates the courts of extinction of dominion, obliges citizens to give banking information to the judge, opens the country to international cooperation and …

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The Chamber of Deputies approved the Public-Private Partnerships Bill, with a report that merges the two initiatives on the same issue presented by Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC) deputy Victor (Ito) Bisonó Haza and Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) senator Charlie Mariotti Tapia. Bisonó recalled that the bill has the backing of the Inter-American Development Bank …

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