The Tourism Cabinet has announced that the Department of Health will donate 400,000 Covid-19 antigen tests to all hotels to apply to tourists who have vacationed in those areas and who need PCR to return to their country of origin.
“Give us assurances today that the Dominican government, through the tourism cabinet, will be able to respond to the new demands made by the United States, Canada and other countries, as the Dominican government is going to allow the antigen testing that it requires tourists to come to the country, ”said Tourism Minister David Collado.
He reiterated that, on behalf of the Dominican government, through the Cabinet for Tourism, they guarantee American tourists coming to the Dominican Republic that they will receive antigen testing free of charge in the next 60 days, coordinated with medical insurance. existing.
The official released the information after leading a meeting of the tourism cabinet, explaining that the tests will be applied to tourists for free, a measure that is part of the Covid-19 traveler assistance plan awarded by the state.
“This puts the Dominican Republic at the top of the countries in the region that continue to fight for the responsible recovery of tourism in the Dominican Republic,” added Collado. He said the country is on the top of the region and is preparing for the new situation it is facing.
Beginning Tuesday, 26, all air passengers two years or older must submit the negative result of a Covid-19 test to enter the United States, as announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). last week. Collado said the airports are preparing mobile facilities for the application of antigen testing for passengers with emergencies that cannot be tested before they arrive, as appropriate.
He explained that the Association of Hotels and Tourism (ASONAHORES) will coordinate with the hotels and the Department of Health for the delivery, training and technology platform that will support the process. “The hotels will cover the cost of applying these tests, with alliances with local clinics as needed,” said Collado.
Frequent passengers
Collado said that in addition to the passengers who need PCR testing, they have the capacity in clinics and laboratories to perform the tests at all major destinations in the country, 72 hours before departure. He explained that Punta Cana, Puerto Plata and Santo Domingo have the capacity in clinics and laboratories to meet current and future demand. This demand is estimated at a country level at 6,000 to 11,000 daily tests. In addition, this capacity will increase by 40% over the next three weeks.
Also in attendance were the Minister of Health, Plutarco Arias; the president of ASONAHORES, Rafael Blanco; the director of the airport division, Víctor Pichardo, among other representatives from the government and the private sector.
Knowing more
They make a plan.
Collado reported that they have worked with private clinics, laboratories, the private sector and the state on a concrete plan to ensure that all departing passengers who require testing are conducted without major inconveniences.