The Dominican Republic will reopen for tourists on July 1st, according to Executive Director of the Presidential Committee for COVID-19 Emergency and Sanity Affairs, Dr. Amado Alejandro Baez. In a COVID-19 preparedness and response webinar on Tuesday, the country’s health and tourism experts expressed confidence that the Caribbean destination is ready to safely open its borders to international visitors in three weeks. 

The country will implement national policies

The DR will implement national policies and respond based on local situations rather than reopen based on regional impact. Last month, the country’s Ministry of Tourism said that airports, hotels, and restaurants could begin phased reopening as early as July 1st. However, not all hotels will reopen their doors on July 1st. Therefore, travelers should confirm with their individual property before making plans to visit.

The Dominican Republic has been among the hardest-hit countries in the Caribbean during the COVID-19 crisis 

The country has reported more than 20,000 confirmed cases and over 500 deaths as of Tuesday afternoon. They have been working hard to slow the spread, and have reported more than 12,000 recoveries in the same time frame. Visitors must follow social distancing guidelines and other safety protocols upon arrival. The Dominican Republic reopening on July 1st is on pace with many destinations across the region, and around the globe. The DR’s economy is heavily reliant on tourism and has thus been hit hard by the pandemic.

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