The announcement of new traffic restrictions yesterday created new crises in economic sectors which, while agreeing with government-notified measures, continue to feel the negative impact of deadlines on their businesses.
Supermarkets, banks, travel agencies, restaurants, hotels, clothing stores, long-distance transportation companies, wholesale and retail and other companies, have activated emergency meetings to define how they will operate in accordance with the new regulations for stop the expansion of COVID-19 and at what times.
Both shopping malls, supermarkets and commercial banks announced in the afternoon the new hours that will regulate customer service. The Association of Commercial Banks (ABA) has announced that from today, Monday to Friday, the closing hours of all banks will be until 4:00 pm and that the first two Saturdays and Sundays in January will be closed all the time. .
The CCN Group informed that its (national) supermarket chain will operate today from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm and that from 2 to 10 January it will operate from Monday to Friday from 6:00 am to 5:00 am: 00 afternoon, Saturday and Sunday from 6:00 am to 12:00 noon with delivery service until 11:00 pm. The Jumbo and Centro Cuesta Nacional shopping centers will operate at the same time.
merchant
In consultation with the trade sector represented by the National Organization of Commercial Companies (ONEC), the Dominican Federation of Traders (FDC) and the National Federation of Traders and Entrepreneurs (Fenacerd), their leaders agreed with the new restrictions of However, they suggested to the government a greater rigor with the fulfillment of the physical distance to avoid the public agglomerations.
Iván García, President of the FDC, said that the working hours between 2 and 10 January will be from Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 17:00 and on Saturday and Sunday until 11:00. morning.
He added that since the announcement of the curfew nest extension, people have begun to feel impatient to stock up.
cancellation
The president of the Dominican Association of Tour Operators (Adotur), Jacinto Fernández, said that as soon as the government announced the new shutdown hours, local customers began asking travel agencies to cancel reservations and return their money, which created a level of chaos.
He explained that people claimed that without a driving license it would be difficult for them to travel to hotels and then return to their homes. Faced with this situation, tour operators contacted the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur) to look for alternatives and respond to the commitments already made.
Flexibility
Fernández explained that Adotur suggested to the government, through the Ministry of Tourism, that people staying in hotels and resorts be able to travel from December 31 to January 4 until 7:00 at night, provided they present the voucher or invoice from the agencies. tour desk, hotel exit letter or hotel check-out ticket.
Despite efforts to know the situation of the hotel sector with the new restrictions, it was not possible to obtain the statements of the Hotel and Tourism Association of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores).
Restaurants and nightlife dedicated to the leisure and entertainment industry are among the sectors most affected by the established hours since the expansion of the Covid pandemic began in the country last March.
SEPA
The great sacrificed
MSME at night
Small and medium-sized companies in the formal and informal sector, especially those operating at night, are the big ones sacrificed with the heels announced since the beginning of the pandemic.
Drink drinks
Despite the fact that stores must close their doors from 5:00 pm between January 2 and 10, 2021, the provisions for the sale of alcoholic beverages until 6:00 pm have not been changed.
Digital banking services
The association of banks suggested that users use digital platforms and avoid congestion and help reduce the presence of people in branches.