Punta Cana Dominican Republic 〉Punta Cana Travel Guide 〉Punta Cana Covid-19 Tourism Update
Ready to welcome visitors safely with the same warm hospitality and tropical bliss of Punta Cana.
During the time that travel was paused to the world due to COVID-19, the tourism industry in the Dominican Republic was hard at work carefully planning an even safer environment while still retaining the warmth, excitement, and tropical bliss that Punta Cana is known for. On July 1st, the Punta Cana International Airport officially welcomed back visitors.
Punta Cana has set new standards in hospitality and continued to do it during the difficult COVID-19 pandemic. We are proud to share that the Ministry of Tourism has worked with the tourism sector to implement the most comprehensive program for visitors to the Dominican Republic, setting a high standard across the Caribbean. The Dominican Republic was the first destination in the Caribbean to offer health services and travel assistance in case a visitor needs assistance related to covid-19.
The Dominican Republic’s responsible and successful plan for tourism recovery after covid-19, earned the number one spot in the world in May 2022 by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Today, it continues to break records due to its continued dedication and commitment to offering the best and safest vacation experience to tourists visiting across the globe.
All tourism sector personnel have reached a 100% vaccination that includes airports, hotels, restaurants, transportation, etc.)
Punta Cana International Airport Covid-19 Health Measures
The Punta Cana International Airport has implemented the highest standards of sanitation protocols, social distancing, new modern equipment, and services in place to make every visitor feel safe, welcome, and taken care of from the moment they arrive.
April 2022 Update
Entry Requirements
- Passengers and crew members will not be required to present a Covid-19 vaccination card or negative test to enter the Dominican Republic, tourist centers, excursions, or establishments.
- Random tests will no longer be performed. When required they may be performed.
Passports: All foreign citizens entering as a tourist must present a valid passport to enter and depart the country.
It is recommended that you check with your airline in order to learn the rules that may apply to your country.
E-ticket
All foreign visitors and Dominican citizens must complete the Free electronic entry and exit form. This E-Ticket combines the Custom Declaration, Health Affidavit, and International Embarkation / Disembarkation forms. Visit eticket.migracion.gob.do
Masks & Restrictions
There are no restrictions imposed, they were suspended in February 16, 2022. Take your own precautions and measures such as face masks. You will find that many locals are still wearing face masks.
If you have a vaccination card, we suggest you bring it with you.
February 2022 Update
Entry Requirements
- It will NOT be necessary to present the COVID-19 test with negative results prior to entry at airports to the Dominican Republic.
- Non-invasive random tests will be carried out, to a small percentage of passengers and all who present symptoms upon arrival, with a quick aleatory breath test. Passengers under the age of 5 are exempt. Passengers who present a vaccination card and/or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival in the Dominican Republic will be exempted from the random test.
- All passengers will go through a temperature check.
- Vaccinations: It will not be required to present a vaccination card upon arrival and while tourists are inside the resort properties, tourist transportation services, and establishments regulated by the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. (see below for when vaccination card / PCR test required)
- Required Presentation of Vaccination card or PCR Tests: Tourists / Visitors over the age of 12 may have to show proof of vaccination to enter establishments outside resorts and tourist complexes, it is recommended that you carry it with you. Some of the establishments requiring vaccination cards / or PCR tests are bars, discotheques (dance clubs), restaurants, shopping centers, casinos, gyms, sports complexes, and other local services. Visitors will need an original card and/or digital copy. Visitors who don’t have both doses will need to present an original PCR test with a negative result performed no more than 7 days before by an authorized laboratory.
- Passports: All foreign citizens entering the Dominican Republic for tourism must have a valid passport for entry and departure.
- Passengers who present symptoms or whose test results are positive will be isolated and attended at authorized locations.
- Airports will have strict sanitary protocols with the measurement of temperature, social distancing, and masks.
- Please contact your airline regarding any testing or additional requirements for travel to the DominicanRepublic or return to your port of origin.
- Traveler’s Health Affidavit: As of April 1, 2021, all foreign and Dominican passengers entering or leaving the Dominican Republic on commercial flights must complete the electronic entry and exit form, which combines the Traveler’s Health Affidavit, Customs Declaration, and International Embarkation/Disembarkation forms. As of May 1, 2021, the use of digital forms will be mandatory and no other method of providing the required information to enter the Dominican Republic will be allowed or be recognized as valid. The form is available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, and Russian and can be accessed through this link, more information for the E-Ticket here. See the video below.
- For the most up-to-date information please see official updates.
Social Distancing & Face Masks Guidelines in Punta Cana
- Airport – Social Distancing and the use of masks are mandatory for employees and passengers.
- Beach – Face masks are optional and not recommended for children. Social distancing is required outside of your group (maximum of 10 people).
- Outside Guidelines for the general and traveling public – Social Distancing of at least 6.5 feet and use of face masks in indoor spaces where social distancing is not possible.
- Resorts and hotels require the use of masks in indoor public areas. The use of masks and social distancing is mandatory in indoor public areas during a stay in the country. Please contact your hotel for their specific recommendations.
- A “Labor Health Bubble” was implemented to ensure that hotel employees stay within their facilities for as long as possible. Effective health management will be carried out in the relationship with suppliers, contractors, and employees.
Please visit the official tourism guide to the Dominican Republic for more detailed information.
Source: Ministerio de Turismo de Republica Dominicana, GoDominicanRepublic.com
Travel Assistance Plan
- According to the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism, as of September 15, all international tourists entering the country by air and staying a hotel will be temporarily granted a travel assistance plan and free travel insurance that includes emergency coverage, and a range of medical services as well as lodging for prolonged stays. This insurance will be provided at no cost to visitors arriving on or before April 30, 2021, and will be 100% paid for by the Dominican government. For more information and assistance please call Seguros Reservas Assistance Line by dialing +1 809 476 3232 so that a representative can determine the appropriate course of action on a case by case basis. For additional details regarding what is and is not covered by the policy, click here.
October 2020 - Covid-19 Punta Cana Tourism Updates
The Punta Cana International Airport is scheduled to receive 143 flights per week from November 1 to January 2, 2021, from 25 airlines and from more than 20 cities around the world, mainly from the United States and Canada.
According to statistics from the terminal, to date, they have on the agenda to receive nine daily flights (63 flights a week), and additionally, there are 80 weekly flights scheduled.
The number of flights could have an increase of up to more than 20% from mid-November and December, as some airlines have announced that they will increase the frequency of weekly or daily flights.
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The flights scheduled for the winter season quarter are from the airlines: Air Canada, Aerolineas Argenitnas, Air Transat, American Airlines, LAN, Southwest, United, Edelwiss, Wingo, Tui Airways, West Jet, Sunwing, Frontier, Jet Blue, Spirit; Delta, Air Europa, Evelop, British, Nordwind, Delta, Wamos, Sun Country, Condor and GOL.
On the agenda, the daily frequencies come from Air Canada (Toronto); American Airlines (Charlotte), Southwest; United (Newark and Chicago; West Jet and Delta (Detroit), and Condor.
While the airlines with an agenda to increase the frequency of weekly flights are: Copa, starting on November 20, will have a daily flight, and Avianca, a daily flight from November 1; Delta from November 28 it will have two more flights on Saturdays; Air France from December 13 will have five weekly flights; Air Caraibes will increase to four weekly flights from December 14.
From December 16, Air Canada and Air Transat airlines will have a daily flight from Toronto and Montreal; American will have daily flights and two on Saturdays.
In addition, they will have in December the Tui Fly airlines from the Netherlands and Belgium. West Jet; Air Europe; Evelop and Sun Country.
Meanwhile, there have been 777 flights that the airport has received from March to October 19.
Translated from Source: Ministerio de Turismo Republica Dominicana
September 2020 - Covid-19 Tourism Update
Tourism minister says everything is ready to start recovery plan in 8 days
September 7, 2020
Everything is ready to implement in eight days the Responsible Recovery Plan for tourism, coordinated by the Ministry of Tourism. This was reiterated by Minister David Collado, who said that, except for a major cause, the plan will begin on September 15 with the announced measures, so it will not be necessary to present COVID-19 test with negative results prior to entry at airports to the country, as non-invasive random tests will be carried out, with a PCR test developed in Israel that uses the breath.
He stated that airports will have strict sanitary protocols with the measurement of temperature, distance and masks.
Collado also indicated that all short-stay tourists (non-resident foreigners) who enter the country from September 15 to December 31 will have a traveler assistance plan during their first stay in a hotel that has a license for operation, which includes emergencies in the event of a Covid-19 contagion, and will be covered by the Dominican Government.
The Minister of Tourism recalled that this measure is exclusive to the Dominican Republic, since it has not been applied by any other country in the region, to guarantee the health and well-being of those who visit our destination.
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The minister declared that he has been working with the private sector and the authorities in the lifting of the hospitals that are in the tourist poles, in terms of availability of beds and conditions, to prepare all the logistics of handling those infected with symptoms.
To this is added, explained Collado, that by September 15 the Ministry of Public Health (MSP) will begin the publication of a report on the situation of contagions and COVID-19 lethality specialized for tourist centers. It is important to note that today we have the most favorable indicators within the region, regarding the pandemic.
“We are prepared within the reality of the world to receive tourists in our country,” said the Minister of Tourism.
President Abinader calls on hotel chains to reopen their doors as of October 1
August 12, 2020
Translated with Google Translate, click on image for original article in Spanish.
Santo Domingo, RD.-President Luis Abinader called on all hotel chains in the midst of the “Responsible Reopening of Tourism” to open their doors as of October 1st.
During a meeting at the National Palace with the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, and with the Minister of Foreign Relations, Roberto Álvarez, Abinader said that this plan will contribute to normalizing the country’s economy, ratifying his commitment to the sector.
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The Minister of Defense, Carlos Luciano Díaz Morfa, the Minister of Health, Plutarco Arias, other government officials and members of the National Association of Hotels and Restaurants (Asonahores) also attended.
“Only three weeks have passed since we announced our Responsible Recovery Plan for the Tourism sector to the country and the rest of the world. With this plan we set a clear and precise objective: to minimize the negative effects of the pandemic on the creation of jobs, the attraction of new investments and the generation of added value in one of the most strategic sectors of our economy, ”said Abinader.
The president valued that there are already 1,176 flights booked to reach the Dominican Republic.
The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, stressed that from this date until December about 9,000 seats are being guaranteed and that 50% will be covered by this ministry and 50% by the business sector. These will be from the routes that already exist in the country.
He added that the Dominican Republic is the country with the best tourist offer and that with the theme of the attractions of the flights, the arrival of tourists will increase.
Collado said 54,000 tourists arrived in July and around 50,000 in August.
Authorities are also evaluating the curfew in tourist areas.
August - Covid-19 Tourism Update
Dominican Government will promote recovery of the Tourism sector
August 25, 2020
Translated with Google Translate, click on image for original article in Spanish.
The President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader Corona, announced today a set of initiatives to address the challenges facing the tourism sector in the wake of the current pandemic and thus ensure that the country is a safe travel destination.
The Responsible Tourism Recovery Plan for COVID-19, led by the President himself, will contribute to caring for the health, well-being and safety of tourists and will also promote a sustainable recovery of the tourism sector.
“Our goal is to minimize the effects of the pandemic and promote a responsible recovery that prioritizes health, maximizes the potential for job creation and economic growth, and encourages the sector to continue to develop in a sustainable way,” he said.
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The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, for his part, explained that the new government in conjunction with the National Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (ASONAHORES) has had working meetings to understand the concerns of tourists and the needs of the sector in the country.
“We are focused on promoting the continuous growth of tourism, as well as our country’s image, convinced that together we will overcome the challenges of the pandemic and ensure that the Dominican Republic continues to occupy the first place in the region as a destination of choice for our foreign visitors. , both for vacationing, doing business, investing or a favorite place as a second residence ”, he pointed out. The plan presented by the government provides a set of measures to guarantee the health and safety of Dominican and foreign tourists. These measures will include new internationally certified sanitary protocols and will cover the entire industry, including restaurants and bars.
Measures include:
- Starting at the end of September, random tests of rapid application will be carried out upon arrival in the country, such as the breath test for the diagnosis of COVID-19. Once this measure has been entered, the requirement for a negative COVID-19 test carried out prior to the visit, which is in force until then, will be eliminated.
- The use of masks and social distancing, essential elements during the stay in the country, will be mandatory.
- As of the last days of September, all tourists visiting a hotel will be temporarily granted a travel assistance plan that will include emergency coverage, telemedicine services, long-stay accommodation and flight change costs before the occurrence of a COVID-19 contagion. This insurance will be provided at no cost to the visitor until December 2020, covered 100% by the Dominican State.
- A Labor Health Bubble will be implemented to ensure that hotel employees stay within their facilities for as long as possible. Effective health management will be carried out in the relationship with suppliers, contractors and employees.
- In the case of the latter, there will be a robust dynamics in the flow to and from the hotels, together with constant testing.
- Labor regulations are in the process of being adapted to minimize and mitigate risks for employees.
The government said that this protocol is in the process of certification by both Safe Travels of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and Buró Veritas, both world leaders in certifications in the sector. The plan will be in charge of a new Tourism Cabinet, led by the President of the Republic himself, under the executive direction of the Minister of Tourism and made up of institutions that directly affect the value chain of the sector. The Cabinet will constantly monitor the impact and effectiveness of each implemented initiative, adjusting when necessary. This effort will be accompanied by an effective communication plan through all channels and points of contact with tourists and allies to let everyone know that the Dominican Republic is a safe country to travel. The communication plan includes training, detailed material, constant updating and optimization of search mechanisms.
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Punta Cana Dominican Republic 〉Punta Cana Travel Guide 〉Punta Cana Covid-19 Tourism Update
