Updated February 18th 2022
The Dominican Republic will drop all domestic restrictions imposed during the coronavirus pandemic after a successful vaccination campaign helped contain infection and death rates on the Caribbean island.
In a nationwide address late Wednesday marking the one-year anniversary of the start of its vaccination drive, President Luis Abinader said that the required use of a face mask, social distancing measures and Covid passports to enter public places will all be dropped immediately.
“Let’s start recovering our freedom,” Abinader said. “It’s time to start recovering emotionally and leave behind the measures that we had to impose.”
Updated June 7th 2021
Santo Domingo.- The spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations for the disease led the Dominican Government on Monday to take new measures at the national level, which imply a change in the curfew.
The restriction on movement is conditioned according to the level of contagion and the positivity rate of the provinces, as ordered by President Luis Abinader.
The tougher measures will begin Wednesday, June 2 and will be in effect until the 9th of this month.
In 25 demarcations the restriction will start from 6:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00am, but the citizens can circulate for three more hours to reach home.
Curfew:.
6:00 in the afternoon until 5:00 in the morning, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 3:00 in the afternoon until 5:00 in the morning, with a grace of three hours of circulation, for 24 provinces and the National District.
While Duarte, Espaillat, La Altagracia, La Vega, Samaná, Santiago, Puerto Plata will have hours from 10:00 at night to 5:00 in the morning, from Monday to Friday. And Saturdays and Sundays it will be from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m..
Updated January 15th 2021
Public Health minister Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas stated that there are no requirements for entry to the Dominican Republic, no testing is required. However, we do advise all travelers to get tested before they travel so they can be sure the do not have the virus.
Clients free to move about the area as long as they agreed to wear a mask when they enter a local business, and to practice good social distancing when out in public. There is no quarantine when visiting Cap Cana, Punta Cana or Casa de Campo.
When returning to the US – All Air passengers are required to get a viral test (a PCR or Antigen test for current infection) within the 3 days before their flight back to the U.S. departs.
Our Villas in Punta Cana and Cap Cana offer designated laboratories able to fulfil testing for our current and upcoming guests.
The Antigen Tests are currently at $ 35,00 per person and PCR Tests are currently at $ 100,00 per person (prices are subject to change)
Please email info@hauteretreats.com for more information. In-villa tests should be arranged at least 48-72 hours prior guests departure considering results will take 48-72 hours to be issued.
The ministry of tourism of the Dominican Republic has reopened its borders for international travellers July 1st 2020.
“The Dominican tourism industry is now open and receiving visitors in a responsible manner and complying with the recommendations of national and international organisations on hygiene, disinfection and social distancing,” said the minister of tourism, Francisco Javier García.
Phase four has started de-escalating the measures for prevention and control of coronavirus.
“From the moment visitors arrive in our country, they will find that the measures implemented guarantee a safe and pleasant experience so that they can enjoy the attractions that have made us the main tourist destination in the Caribbean,”the minister added.
Villa Oceania | Cap Cana
Dominican Republic planned ahead this re-opening and you can find great hints at Travel Resource Centre
July 6th updates:
Now on July 1st Phase 5 has started, most hotels, airports, gyms and restaurants are reopening and also a great selection of villas that now will meet the new Covid Health safety measures are ready to welcome travellers. At airports, temperature checks have been implemented; those registering a temperature above 38 C degrees or presenting any other symptoms will also undergo a rapid COVID-19 test. Use of face masks is mandatory for all employees and passengers, while a Traveller’s Health Affidavit must also be filled out and submitted by all travellers. You can also visithttps://www.godominicanrepublic.com/newsroom/coronavirus/ for a full list of safety protocols at resorts, restaurants and tourism activities.
This resource is an initiative designed to deliver accurate, up to date information to future visitors and answer frequently asked travel questions. The platform prepared for visitors includes Covid-19 industry updates from trusted sources and provides live chat assistance. There are also additional protocols implemented at airports in an effort to ensure safe and efficient air travel. The protocols include temperature checked upon arrival as they disembark the plane. If a passenger registers a temperature above 100.6 F degrees or presents any other symptoms, airport authorities will administer a rapid Covid-19 test and initiate the protocols for isolation and treatment of the case. Social distancing at the airport terminal have been established as well as mandatory use of the face masks. A health affidavit is required to be filled and submitted by the passengers, this form is provided by the airline or by Dominican authorities. Through this form, passengers declare they have not felt any Covid-19 related symptoms in the last 72 hours and provide contact details for the next 30 days.
On-island, hotels and restaurants will be operating at a reduced capacity and will be implementing social distancing measures (like six-feet between seated guests.)
Villa Yarari Royale |Punta Cana
Airlines that serve Dominican Republic right now:
United Airlines is adding 35 routes across the Caribbean and Latin America in August, the carrier said this week. That includes new flights to Cancun from Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Newark and San Francisco. United is also increasing its flights from Houston and Cancun and Houston and Panama City. United is additionally increasing the number of flights from Newark to three destinations in the Dominican Republic: Punta Cana, Santo Domingo and Santiago.
Haute Retreats also provides private jet charters internationally.
For a more seamless—and more private—airport experience, opt for the VIP service we offer which whisks you from the gate to a private immigrations/ customs area and then straight to your car.
Where to Stay:
There are many villas that right now are ready to welcome guests in Dominican Republic and features spacious living where to enjoy a nice family vacations or friends holiday with private swimming pools. All the activities and excursions including cooking classes, horseback riding, cooking classes all can be tailore and private to your group ensuring your safety.
We also have a list of villas that provide a more flexible cancellation policy that you can request @ info@hauteretreats.com. For new reservations we have updated the cancellation terms to offer a refundable 28-day cancellation strategy for new reservations booked starting April 20th, 2020 for check in before December 1st., 2020. Guests will be allowed to cancel up to 28 days before their arrival and get a full refund. On the off chance that a visitor cancels its reservation within 28 days of arrival, the booking is non-refundable except if force majeure conditions apply.
July 20th 2020 Updates
Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina declared a state of emergency in the country for the next 45 days due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Medina issued a presidential decree on Monday announcing the decision due to “the concerning increase of Covid-19 transmission and in order to avoid our public and private health system from overflowing.”
No restrictive measures aren’t specified yet, but will be release soon. In the meantime on Sunday, the country’s civil defence announced the closure of beaches across the country in order to enable social distancing.
Dominican Republic reported a total of 53,956 Covid-19 cases on Sunday, with 1,101 new cases in the last 24 hours. The country’s death toll has now reached 993.
While the number of deaths has consistently averaged about a dozen per day this month, the number of infections reported has begun to move upwards. The daily average in the first week of July was 1,002. The daily average over the last week (to July 19) is 1,346 — an increase of one third in the number of new infections since the beginning of the month.
The beaches in front of the resorts and hotels will stay open.
INFORMATION UPDATED AS OF AUGUST 20, 2020:
- Beginning July 30th and until further notice, all passengers who wish to enter the country must show proof of a negative PCR (or Polymerase Chain Reaction) test result, no older than five days before their arrival date. If no proof of testing is available, government personnel will perform a quick test at no additional cost to the passenger. In addition, a health evaluation is conducted upon arrival and those passengers who present symptoms or whose test results are positive will be isolated and attended at authorized locations. The rapid diagnostic test provides reliable results through blood serology analysis in less than 10 minutes. Passengers younger than five years and crew members are exempted of this requirement. In addition, airport terminals have established guidelines requiring social distancing as well as the mandatory use of face masks for employees and passengers. As part of immigration and customs forms provided by the airline or by Dominican authorities, passengers will be required to fill out and submit a Traveler’s Health Affidavit. Through this form, passengers declare they have not felt any COVID-19 related symptoms in the last 72 hours and provide contact details for the next 30 days.
- Starting August 9 until September 2nd, the curfew is reinstated from 7:00 pm to 5:00 am from Monday through Friday and from 5:00 pm to 5:00 am on Saturdays and Sundays in Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional, Santiago, San Cristóbal, La Vega, Puerto Plata, Duarte, San Pedro de Macorís, La Romana, San Juan de la Maguana, La Altagracia, Azua, Monseñor Nouel, Sánchez Ramírez y María Trinidad Sánchez; and every day from 8:00 pm to 5:00 am in Espaillat, Peravia, Barahona, Monteplata, Valverde, Hermanas Mirabal, Monte Cristi, Samaná, Bahoruco, Hato Mayor, El Seibo, Dajabón, Santiago Rodríguez, San José de Ocoa, Elías Piña, Independencia and Pedernales.
- During curfew, authorities will allow the transit of international visitors and vehicle operators who transport them, as well as properly identified employees of maritime and air transport companies, if they are moving to / from a port or airport. Hotel employees and suppliers can also transit freely while exercising work related activities.
NEW MEASURE AS OF AUGUST 27th, 2020:
These measures will include new internationally certified health protocols and will apply to the entire industry, including restaurants and bars.
David Collado, minister of tourism, added that the new administration and the Association of Hotels & Tourism of Dominican Republic have been meeting to better understand the tourists’ concerns of the needs of the industry.
“We are focused on driving continuous growth for the sector, along with our country’s image,” said Collado.
“We are confident that together we will overcome the challenges of the pandemic and ensure that the Dominican Republic remains the number one destination in the region for international travellers, who visit either for vacation, business, investment opportunities or returning to their preferred second home.”
Starting at the end of September, rapid tests will be performed on randomly selected travellers upon arrival, such as the diagnostic breath test for Covid-19.
Once this measure is in place, the requirement for a negative Covid-19 test prior to arrival will be eliminated.
However, it continues to be valid until then.
Properties on the island will implement effective health management with suppliers, contractors and employees.
The latter will be regularly tested and will follow a specific protocol to come in and out of the facilities.
A new ‘tourism cabinet’, led by the president, and under the executive direction of the minister of tourism, will manage the plan.
Institutions that directly affect the tourism industry value chain will make up the cabinet, which will constantly monitor the impact and effectiveness of each initiative implemented and adjust as necessary.
send us an email to info@hauteretreats.com for flexible cancellation policies and terms and conditions
Update November 25th 2020
- Is a curfew in place? Yes
- From September 28, there is a nationwide curfew (all cities and provinces)from Monday through Friday from 9 pm to 5 am, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 7 pm to 5 am. Full details can be found on https://presidencia.gob.do/.
- The curfew in the Dominican Republic is strictly enforced. U.S. citizens who must travel during curfew hours for international travel may be asked to show their passport, ticket, and travel itinerary to authorities to be allowed to continue to the airport.
- Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? No
Quarantine Information:
- Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? Yes, if testing positive.
- The Ministry of Health advises of mandatory quarantine or self-quarantine for COVID-19 positive patients. Please call *462 for further instructions.
COVID-19 Testing and Measures in the Dominican Republic:
- The Dominican Republic has local capacity to diagnose COVID-19 through the National Public Health Laboratory and private laboratories.
- The Dominican Republic created a national hotline for questions relating to COVID-19 if you have been exposed or are experiencing severe symptoms. Call *462 for further instructions, but note that English-speaking operators are limited.
- Social distancing protocols have been established for a variety of activities and masks are required by law in public spaces.
- Large events and public gatherings of all kinds suspended.
Available luxury villas for rent please email to info@hauteretreats.com
