TORONTO — The Dominican Republic is on track to fully reopen to tourists on July 1 following months of lockdown measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During a webinar hosted by the Ministry of Tourism and the Association of Hotels and Tourism (ASONAHORES) yesterday, Dr. Amado Alejandro Baez, Executive Director of the Presidential Committee for COVID-19 Emergency and Sanitary Affairs confirmed July 1 to be the date when airports fully reopen and health and safety protocols will be implemented across the tourism sector.

When asked whether the D.R. will have a phased reopening or will reopen all at once, Baez said: “The general approach in the D.R. is to create national policies – not do it territorial – but then allow local efforts to polish the subsequent moves. So July 1 is likely the opening, and then the strengthening of protocols will be dependent on local behaviours.”

The destination’s official health and safety protocols for hotels, which are currently being reviewed by the Ministry of Tourism, are scheduled to be approved by the end of this week. Once approved, they’ll be posted on the Ministry of Tourism’s website.

The Ministry of Tourism will also conduct individual webinars to discuss protocols for various sectors, including airports, airlines and tours, all of which will be meant for a July 1 reopening.