Update: Covid-19 in Dominican Republic

On March 17, 2020, the President of the Dominican Republic, Danilo Medina, announced that the country is closing the borders due to the current coronavirus pandemic starting today Thursday, March 19, 2020, at 6 a.m. for the next 15 days.

“We will only permit entry of planes and ferries for the departure of foreign visitors who want to return to their home country,” Medina said. Later he added that cargo ships would be allowed to dock to bring supplies to the island to ensure proper supply during the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak.

The situation during the Coronavirus outbreak in the Dominican Republic and the region around Punta Cana changes daily. We will keep you informed as the situation evolved.

April 13th, 2020

The Dominican Republic has 3,167 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 177 confirmed deaths. The Country has put in place a series of measures to slow the spread of the Crornavidus disease COVID-19 including:

  • A curfew that prohibits all traffic and movement of people from 5 pm to 6 am.
  • Creation of 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.
  • Cruise arrivals have been suspended at all ports and coasts.
  • Public transportation, including buses, shared minibusses, metro trains, and cable cars have suspended services, limiting the public’s ability to move freely in urban areas.
  • Events and public gatherings of all kinds suspended.
  • Roadblocks have been set up at various points throughout the country prohibiting internal travel in the country. U.S. citizens with urgent travel, including travel to the airport for departure, should be prepared to present supporting documentation to the Dominican authorities at each checkpoint.

April 9th, 2020

As of today, the Dominican Republic has 2,349 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus disease COVID-19 and 118 confirmed deaths.

Flights to the U.S. are available through Jet Blue and Delta. U.S. citizens who wish to depart the Dominican Republic should do so immediately or be prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.

For more information please visit the website of the US Embassy.


March 22nd, 2020

To reduce the spread of the virus, today the government of the Dominican Republic extended the night curfew schedule to 13 hours: from 5 pm to 6 am. Only doctors and health workers, journalists, and guardsmen are exempt from this new measurement.


March 20th, 2020

Yesterday, US President Donald J. Trump anounced an update of the Travel Advisory increasing the level to Global Level 4 “Do not Travel”. This advises US citizens to avoid all travel and return home if currently abroad and still possible.

The government of this Caribbean Republic decreed a mandatory night curfew from 8 pm to 6 am until 3 April.


March 19th, 2020

As of now, one person has died in the Dominican Republic so far due to the new respiratory disease. 21 people have tested positive for coronavirus. These numbers of new cases are expected to keep increasing over the next days.

US citizens living in the Dominican Republic can reach out to the USA Embassy offices in Punta Cana or Santo Domingo for more information about the developing situation.

Punta Cana +1 809 552 8990
Santo Domingo +1 809 567 7775