COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Dominican Republic (16 July Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Residents and citizens are allowed to enter.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes

• Foreigners are allowed to enter.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• Yes

• Information on transiting is not clear, however, foreigners are allowed to enter the country and all commercial airline services are operating.

Is a test required on arrival?

• Yes with exceptions

• Health screening measures are in place at all the entry ports. On arrival at airports and other ports of entry, a quick, random breath test will be performed on a percentage of passengers and on all those who present symptoms upon arrival. Travellers below the age of 5 and members of aircraft crew are exempt. All passengers will need to participate in a temperature check. Travellers who present symptoms or who test positive will be assigned to quarantine at a government facility.

• Passengers with a vaccination certificate or negative PCR test certificate issued within 72 hours prior to arrival in the Dominican Republic will be exempt from the random test.

Test certificate required?

• No with exceptions

• Most travellers, including those from Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, Russia, and the United States, do not need to present a negative COVID-19 test certificate upon arrival to enter the Dominican Republic.

• As of 28 June 2021, all travellers, including crew members, arriving from or transiting through Australia, Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Ireland, Kuwait, Monaco, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, South Africa, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, and United Kingdom must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued within 72 hours prior to arrival or a vaccination card issued no less than 3 weeks after the last dose was administered. If the traveller does not present these documents, they must remain confined in their hotel or accommodation.

• For passengers and crew members arriving from Spain, a negative Antigen test or a negative PCR test are acceptable.

• Full details can be accessed from here.

• Passengers under the age of five from the above-mentioned countries are exempt from the PCR test requirement.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• No with exceptions

• Arriving travellers who test positive or do not have the required entry documentation must remain confined in their hotel or accommodation, or the assigned government facility. The duration of the quarantine period is determined by local authorities.

• Based on the above restrictions, incoming travellers may either be exempted from quarantine or enter quarantine for a certain period of time depending on the local authority’s guidelines.

Vaccination required?

• No

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not required for entry into the country.

Insurance required?

• Yes

• All international tourists arriving on commercial flights and staying at a hotel will be granted (during the check-in process) a temporary, free health coverage plan that provides coverage for emergencies in the event of an infection or exposure to COVID-19 while in-country. The coverage includes medical attention by specialists, medical transfers, transfer of a relative, the penalty for airfare changes, lodging for prolonged stays, and more. This insurance will be provided at no cost to visitors until 31 July 2021 who check-in at a hotel. Coverage is provided by and will be 100 percent paid for by the Dominican government. More details regarding the policy can be found here.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• 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. The form is available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, and Russian. It is recommended that this form be filled out 72 hours prior to embarkation.

• Passengers arriving on private flights, non-commercial vessels, ferries, or cruise ships do not need to complete the electronic form. The physical Traveler’s Health Affidavit, Customs Declaration, and International Embarkation/Disembarkation forms will be accepted.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• The Dominican Republic recommends that travellers use the tracing App “App COVID-RD”.

Airline restrictions

• Minimal

• All commercial airline services are operating.

Border restrictions

• Minimal

• Air borders are open.

• Ports, marinas, and anchorage facilities that receive yachts, ferries, and cruise ships are open.

Curfew restrictions

• Moderate

• Authorities have extended the state of emergency for 45 days beginning 14 July 2021.

• Effective 7 July 2021, a nationwide overnight curfew has been established from 23:00 to 05:00 (local time) on weekdays and from 21:00 to 05:00 on weekends. However, transit will be allowed for the first two hours of the curfew, i.e., until 01:00 (local time) on weekdays and until 23:00 on weekends only in order to travel home.

• Some limited exceptions to the curfew include those seeking assistance for a medical emergency and international passengers and their drivers travelling to and from an airport. The limited exceptions to the curfew measure can be found here.

Social restrictions

• Moderate

• Residents are requested to follow physical distancing practices by maintaining at least 6.5 feet (2 meters) between each other.

• Only 10 people can gather in one place.

Internal travel restrictions

• Moderate

• Masks are required on transport.

• Anyone wishing to travel during curfew hours for international travel to and from the airports may be asked to provide proof of travel including passports, tickets, and any other documents.

• Public transportation will operate with schedules according to the curfew.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• Businesses and companies are open and operating with capacity limitations.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Hotels are open, however, some may have limited capacity.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants are open and operating at a limited capacity.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes

• Cafes and bars are open and operating at a limited capacity.

• The sale of alcoholic beverages to be consumed in public and private spaces for public use is prohibited nationwide from 18:00 to 05:00 (local time).

Beaches and tourism sites open?

• Yes

• Beaches are accessible with social distancing measures.

Personal care services open?

• Yes

• Sports and physical exercise venues such as gyms are open and operating at a limited capacity.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Religious celebrations are allowed 3 times a week provided protocols are followed and the curfew is observed.

Events allowed?

• No

• All large events and public gatherings are suspended until further notice.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Face masks are mandatory in all indoor and public places.

Other

• Entertainment venues, including cinemas, casinos, nightclubs, and theatres, remain closed.

• Educational institutes are currently closed, however, virtual classes are allowed.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing, maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.