Archive for June, 2020
The curfew ends on Saturday, June 27, just five days before the presidential and congressional elections on July 5.
While the state of emergency will continue until Tuesday, June 30, Teacher’s Day, and the birth date of former President Juan Bosch.
The authorities ordered the curfew for 14 days and the state of emergency for 17 days.
The curfew was imposed by Decree 214-20, by President Danilo Medina, which extended it for 14 days from Sunday, June 14 to Saturday, 27 of the same month, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 in the morning every day, to avoid crowds during the night and that physical distance is not respected.
The measure was adopted to avoid crowds of people in bars, discotheques, and other nightlife centers to counteract the spread of the coronavirus, which as of the 96th bulletin of the Ministry of Public Health had 27 thousand 936 infected and 675 deaths, every day new cases increase.
President Medina’s provision included changes in the schedule that were initially from 5:00 in the afternoon, then from 7:00 at night from Monday to Saturday and finally every day from 8: 00 at night.
As of Decree 214-20, the curfew begins every day from 8:00 at night until 5:00 in the morning.
Regarding the extension of the state of emergency for another 17 days, the president has until Thursday to ask Congress for an extension to apply after July 5, when the presidential elections will be held. The country has been in an emergency since March 19.
The state of emergency was adopted through Decree 213-20, which details that the measure will run from June 14, 2020.
Source: El Nacional
June 24, 2020
Barahona.-The Ombudsman of the Dominican Republic, warned the President of the Republic, Danilo Medina, that the Dominican population is not in economic conditions to pay fines for the non-use of masks, which was imposed by resolution of the Ministry of Public Health ( MPS).
Zoila Martínez Guantes indicated that it is not true that the situation of the health crisis in the country caused by the Covid-19, will be fixed by imposing fines on the people.
She characterized resolution 00-16 as unfair, which requires the payment of fines of 10 to 100 thousand pesos to people who do not wear masks in public and private places.
The Ombudsman also warned the Attorney General of the Republic, through communication, which was also sent to President Medina, saying that this situation is not prudent for the Dominican population, which is also experiencing an economic crisis derived from Covid-19.
The resolution indicates that Law No. 42-01 establishes that failure to comply with the measures established by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance to prevent and control communicable diseases is considered a violation of the law, which will be sanctioned with fines ranging from one to ten minimum wages.
Martínez Guante offered these statements after supervising the delivery of provincial certificates by INDRHI to 375 families who were relocated after the construction of the Monte Grande Dam in Barahona, where she made the donation of 10,000 fruit trees for the realization of an extensive planting operation in the areas of the houses that will house the families of Los Güiros, Mote Grande, San Simón and the Plateau.
Source: El Nacional
June 24, 2020
PUERTO PLATA.- For July, a total of 50 commercial passenger flights to and from the United States have already been scheduled at the General Gregorio Luperón International Airport.
The return of the flights to the Puerto Plata terminal was confirmed by the Director of Corporate Communication of the company Aeropuertos Dominicanos XXI (Aerodom), Luis López.
He stated that from Saturday, July 4th to Friday, July 31st, the Flight Operations Department of the Puerto Plata terminal has scheduled the operation of 50 commercial passenger flights.
The General Gregorio Luperón International Airport in Puerto Plata regularly receives dozens of operations and thousands of passengers, mostly travelers of different nationalities who come as tourists to different destinations in the country.
López noted that the flights will be operated by the airlines: American Airlines and JetBlue to the cities of Miami, Florida, New York, and other American locations.
“Right now the Puerto Plata airport terminal is in optimal operational conditions, ready to receive thousands of foreign visitors, with all the required sanitary protocol measures,” he said.
He said that Aerodom has invested about 25 million pesos in adapting and sanitizing the airports managed by that company, enforcing the protocol that requires passengers to comply with sanitary measures such as the use of masks, gloves, and hand sanitizers disinfection on arrival and departure from the airport.
For over three months, all the country’s airports have been closed and flight operations have been suspended by the Dominican government, with the aim of stopping the advance of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Source: Puerto Plata Digital
June 24, 2020
Students from private schools must carry these supplies during the next school year, according to the protocol prepared by the Association of Private Educational Institutions (AINEP).
The Association of Private Educational Institutions (AINEP) released this week the protocol to be followed in private educational centers in the country, for the return to face-to-face classes in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, scheduled for August 2020.
The document, entitled General Guidelines for the “Back to School” the Year 2020-2021, establishes that students must attend the centers with a mask on and a spare one, in case the one they wear is broken or soiled, as well as sanitizing gel for personal use, and a package of disinfecting wipes, so they can clean their work areas.
The AINEP protocol recommends the use of masks for students over the age of three and all school staff, as long as they do not have respiratory problems or cannot remove the masks on their own.
“It is recommended that teachers wear a face shield and/or protective glasses throughout the school day,” says the document.
Input and output
For the entry and exit of schools, the AINEP guidelines propose assigning an entrance area for students and a different one for teaching and administrative staff.
It indicates that parents should leave students at the door of the educational center, avoiding dismounting from their vehicles. In addition, the children must remain in line, keeping the corresponding distance until passing through the first control point, which is the temperature measurement.
In the event that their temperature is greater than 36.5, the student will be returned home, the protocol states.
After taking the temperature, the students, teachers, and administrative staff will go through a disinfection mat.
The AINEP in its protocol for back to school recommends that schools enable a handwashing area with soap near the entrance, or the use of sanitizing gel, with an assigned person who supervises the effective disinfection of students.
According to the protocol, the use of gloves, screens, or sanitation tunnel is at the discretion of each educational center.
Likewise, the AINEP proposes to establish a time of entry and exit from the school campus at different times, either by grade or by academic area, depending on how the schedules are established during the classroom days.
Source: Detras del Rumor
June 20, 2020
The Attorney General Office says more than RD$10 million in fines nationwide have been levied against people for violating the curfew in place since 20 March 2020. The government has also penalized violators of the curfew with mandatory street cleaning and garbage collection actions, in coordination with municipal governments. The money for the fines is reportedly deposited in an account at the Attorney General Office. The Police made the arrests.
The curfew at the start was from 5 pm to 6 am, later from 7 pm to 5 am, and now is from 8 pm to 5 am.
Article 475, paragraph 25, of the Criminal Code of the Dominican Republic, states that “those who violate the rules of hygiene or health, agreed upon by the authority in times of epidemic or contagion, shall be liable to a fine”.
Likewise, Article 153 of the General Health Law No. 42-01 states that “Violations of this law are considered to be, and shall be punished by fines ranging from one to ten times the national minimum wage established by the legally competent authority or by a special law.”
Source: DR1, Listindiario
June 20, 2020
PUERTO PLATA.- Members of the Sosúa Diving Center group have been doing commendable work for several months in favor of restoring the marine ecosystem in the bay of Sosua.
The representatives of the center Pablo Quiroga and Ramiro Quiroga San Martin said that they are working hard together with the Ecológica Magua foundation that Manuel Rodríguez Redondo directs, to rescue the bay of Sosúa and heal the corals and marine species, which have been attacked by the man’s hand.
“If we do it together, nothing is impossible to reestablish the marine ecosystem” coincide in pointing out those nature-loving citizens, who have undertaken the noble initiative of preserving that marine sanctuary.
They said that corals are vital for the preservation of the marine ecosystem of Sosúa Bay, through the formation of habitats for flora and fauna that serve as nursery spaces for various marine species.
They thank the conservation and artistic organization Global Coralition, for having chosen them for the reconnaissance activity in Sosúa Bay, where there is the first sculptural reef in the Dominican Republic, in order to save and restore the coral reefs in the area.
“This is a great job that Global Coralition has been doing in different parts of the world in defense of corals, considering that these have incalculable value for life on our planet,” they pointed out.
Ask for help
In a humble way, the members of the Sosúa Diving Center request the collaboration of the population to continue with this important crusade to care for and protect the beautiful bay of Sosúa.
Those interested in making contributions to this organization and who require more information in this regard can call + 1-809-474 9220 and WhatsApp + 591-700 97773.
Source: Puerto Plata Digital
June 20, 2020
The Judicial Branch announced that as of 1 July, courts will hear cases virtually in the first instance and higher courts. In the case of justice of the peace courts, these will only hear urgent matters that merit a rapid response. These courts will also hear cases only online.
Cases that had been suspended with the start of the National State of Emergency on 20 March 2020 are being rescheduled. Notifications are being sent.
The Council of the Judiciary also approved the maintenance of security and prevention measures that guarantee the necessary physical distance to preserve the health of judges, court officials, and service users in cases where there is face to face interaction. Nationwide, 15 locations have been enabled for face-to-face procedures.
The Judicial Branch website is serviciojudicial.gob.do
The telephone line *3191 or 809 200-3191 for calls outside Greater Santo Domingo. The email is contacto@serviciojudicial.gob.do
Source: DR1, Listin Diario
June 20, 2020
Opposition candidates running for senate seats filed an appeal before the Superior Administrative Court (TSA) demanding that the state of emergency be revoked. They argue the current extension violates the law and Dominican Constitution and their fundamental rights.
The requesting candidates are Congresswoman Faride Raful, Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), who is running for the senate seat of the National District; Benny Metz, who is running on behalf of the Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC) to represent San Cristóbal in the Senate; Jonathan Liriano (PRM), who is running to represent the province of Santo Domingo in the Senate; and Carolin Mercedes (PRM), who running to represent La Vega in the Senate.
They request the TSA to nullify the extension. They base their case that the extension was for 17 days when the previous extension was for 12 days. Law 21-18 on states of emergency specifies that the extension should not be longer than the previous period. Legal advisor to the President, Flavio Dario Espinal says that the opposition politicians are misinterpreting the law. He says the law refers to the original period of the national state of emergency, that in this case was for 25 days.
The TSA is expected to hear the case in the coming days and immediately decide the matter.
The opposition politicians speculate that the government wants to find more Covid-19 cases to scare the population away from voting in the 5 July 2020 presidential election. In the Dominican Republic large voting turn out is needed to win the election because it requires a candidate to receive 50%+1 of the vote to win in a first round. If the 50%+1 vote is not achieved, then a second round will be necessary on 26 July, at a high cost to the country. All leading polls indicate the PRM would also win the second round.
Source: DR1, Hoy
June 20, 2020
The Ministry of Economy says that the postponement of the third phase of the reopening would delay around 113,000 persons returning to work, as reported in El Nacional. Economy Minister Juan Ariel Jiménez says that sports activities cannot be restarted and churches can only hold services once a week. Phase 3 had contemplated services three times a wee
Jiménez says the government is not yet postponing the opening of the tourism sectors, scheduled for 1 July. He said the reopening of hotels, restaurants, and airports still depends on what the statistics reflect on the reopening of the economy so far. The government would reach a decision this coming week. He made the point that resorts in the Dominican Republic have a major advantage: they are low density and have natural ventilation, which reduces the spread of the virus.
Jiménez says next week is critical to deciding whether Phase 3 and Phase 4 can be implemented. He said the authorities will take action to find more cases in Greater Santo Domingo, where most cases have been detected and most testing has been carried out. N Digital reports that journalists that cover the Ministry of Public Health activities were not able to find out where the interventions would take place.
Jimenez said that the depreciation of the Dominican peso to the dollar (currently the exchange rate is 58.13 pesos per dollar), reflects the shutdown of the tourism industry, declines in free zone manufacturing contracting, low remittances and exports, along with a decline in foreign direct investment.
He stated that the country’s situation was not more critical because the country’s international reserves were equal to 10% of the Gross Domestic Product when the Covid-19 situation arose. He said this has allowed the Central Bank to make timely interventions in the foreign exchange market.
Source: DR1, El Nacional
June 20, 2020
La Boca de Yasica, well known for its recreational area, has a public access through the old road that has a history of more than 100 years and is part of the old road that goes from Gaspar Hernandez to Sosua.
There’s some information that the former members of Cabarete authority arranged some sessions, before ending their term, during which a resolution to install a security barrier to prohibit public access to Boca de Yasica in favor of the promoter of the Ritz Carlton Reserve project was made. The project is managed by Juan Francisco de Jesus Cordero Espaillat alias Juan Cocco. That resolution will constitute an infraction to law 176-07 and instead of defending access, the members would “give it away” to the promoter. That closure of access would mean the privatization of Boca de Yasica exactly as in the case of Playa Encuentro.
If it’s true, this closure of access is made up by the same developers who closed the old path to Encuentro beach. All this wandering is done with the complicity of authorities who never had the qualities to be officials to defend the interests of the people of Cabarete.
Supposedly, there is another resolution totally violating environmental law 64-00, in favor of the same promoter to end the La Boca wetland. That resolution would authorize the developer to make a 3-meter-wide drainage channel behind the Veralarga community several hundred meters to the Yasica river to dry the wetland and mangroves. Wetland and mangroves are protected by various national and international laws such as the Ramsar agreement. In that area, presented voluntarily wrongly in the environmental impact study as an agricultural area, it is allegedly intended for a polo field and other facilities.
If that is true, Cabarete has to reject the actions of those former councilmen who also have the complicity of the new chapter room in Cabarete that rejects any request for information in clear violation of Law 200-04 of free access to information. Review and copies of the meeting were requested. There was a suspicious handling of the book or that the content of the books is not wanted to be seen. Nothing has changed in Cabarete, which was declared to be a district in 2002, and that each administration did a huge amount of irregularities and corruption. We would not be surprised if other resolutions would appear in favor of the private ones.
We hope that these rumors are not confirmed, but the information received gives everything to believe that it is true.
Recently, an advertising campaign has been seen by the promoters of the Ritz Carlton Reserve project, presenting this project as a project committed to the environment, but the reality is that damage has been verified in quantity, drying up wetlands and destruction of mangroves until the the attorney general’s office paralyzed the project for serious violations of Law 64-00.
We regret that the authorities give away permits for projects that are destroying a very fragile ecosystem such as in Boca de Yasica and that the new director of the Cabarete district board supports that project knowing that it will harm the Cabarete community, privatizing a recreational area highly appreciated by the people of Cabarete and by tourists and ending with all wetlands and mangroves. You can’t work this way and especially not in the beginning of the 4-year term.
Read this in Spanish
Source: Cabarete Noticias
June 1, 2020
