Travel Updates for D.R.

 Changes are coming as health, technology, science and travel continue to evolve during the pandemic.

Starting at the end of September, all tourists visiting the Dominican Republic will be covered with a temporary comprehensive health and travel insurance plan. The medical and trip protection insurance plan for visitors will cover hospitalization for coronavirus in the tourism destinations in the country, extended hotel stays and airline ticket changes.

Only random testing will be carried out at airports. Visitors will not be required to bring test results to travel here. The random rapid breathalyzer testing is set to start at the end of September. Once this measure is in place, the current requirement that travelers come with a negative PCR Covid-19 test or be subject to random antibody blood test at the airports will be eliminated.

Read the full story HERE.

Vacation Planning 101

 Be sure to visit the Travel Info Page for helpful tips when planning your vacation to the Dominican Republic. Support the links for great deals and great experiences!

Shutting Down Again

 

The US Virgin Islands is “putting the brakes” on tourism, closing its doors to leisure visitors beginning Aug. 19 for a period of at least one month. 

US Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr announced the move, reverting the territory to a “Stay-at-Home” phase of its COVID-19 response for the next two weeks. 

“The recent infiltration of the virus into our residential institutions that house vulnerable members of our population creates an alarming level of risk,” the Governor said. “This adds to the stress of the ongoing pandemic response that seemingly has no end in sight and is wearing out our health care and public safety infrastructure.”

Effective immediately, all hotels, villas, Airbnb accommodations and guest houses, charter vessels and similar businesses have been ordered not to accept or book any new reservations for a month. 

Reservations are only being accepted for business travelers, flight crews, emergency personnel and government workers with written authorization from the government agency they are visiting. 

Beginning Aug. 17 through Aug. 31, all restaurants can only offer takeout, delivery or drive-through, with all bars, nightclubs and cabarets closed. 

Mourning Period is Over

         Check out the new Tropical Desires Uncut

David is Delicious

 

Queer Santo Domingo

There is now a link to a reference to help you with even more info regarding queer life in Santo Domingo. Check it out in the sidebar.

St. Maarten Now Open to Americans

Caribbean Journal-

On Aug. 1 St Maarten officially reopened its borders to travelers from the United States, following a July relaunch to Canadian and European tourists and private aviation. 

It should be noted that only St Maarten, the Dutch side of the island, is open to Americans and all other travelers; 

Saint Martin, the French side, has closed its borders to the Dutch side — meaning U.S. visitors are not able to visit the French side of the island right now. 

Most crucially, all travelers to St Maarten must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of their travel date to St Maarten. (All visitors also need to fill out a St Maarten entry form that can be found here). 

The results must be uploaded as part of that form no later than 12 hours prior to departure. 

Visitors who do not provide such a result will be tested and then quarantined for 14 days at their own expense. 

St Maarten has launched six “core measures” to help prevent the spread of COVID.

That includes physical distancing with proper floor markings, mandatory face mask usage, social distancing of 2 meters, proper self-sanitization procedure, the appropriate procedure for cleaning surfaces, a stay-at-home when sick policy, and digital menus and messages, the Ministry of Tourism said. 

St Maarten is requiring all visitors to travel with their masks, hand sanitizers and to wear their mask on their flights and at the airport. 

The destination is also “strongly advising” travelers to purchase all-risk travel insurance “ensuring that they are covered in the event they fall ill while on vacation.”

A Video Tour of Beautiful DR