Will the Dominican beaches be open during the curfew in 2020?

Bavaro Beach, the Dominican Republic

Actual information about beach access
in the DR as of October 2020

Luckily for tourists, who despite the prolonged Dominican curfew and emergency situation on the national level come again to the Caribbean paradise, the Dominican government kept its promise and has all the beaches open since July. New President Luis Abinader has recently assured the public that any measures against the spread of the coronavirus will not affect in any way the right of local and foreign tourists to access precious Dominican beaches.

As of October 2020, not only public beaches witness more visitors but also private beach bars and clubs reopen for the best of the Dominican economy deeply affected by the economic crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The country is open for visitors from all over the world, and its beaches are clean and idyllic as never before.

Access to all Dominican beaches is restricted only during the curfew hours (that vary depending on the province), while during the rest of the day any person can enjoy the ocean. The authorities recommend maintaining social distance when on the beach or wear a facemask for the sake of safety of all and keeping the beaches open.

Timeline of government decisions about
beaches reopening in the DR

Civil Defense of the Dominican Republic says that beaches will be open during the curfew in summer 2020, but SPAs will not.
The Civil Defense of the Dominican Republic reported on Tuesday, July 21, that the beaches will be open during the curfew period provided by the authorities to prevent the spread of the coronavirus or COVID-19, thus rectifying information released last weekend that announced the closure of the beaches. Instead, the agency announced that the use of swimming pools, lagoons and rivers is prohibited in the entire national territory.
«The #DefensaCivilRD informs that only the use of public pools, lagoons and rivers will be prohibited at the national level. All beaches will be open. These measures are taken for your safety and that of yours. You will soon be able to enjoy these SPAs, but for now, be safe and careful» – the organization published on its Instagram.
The Civil Defense of the Dominican Republic announced that all the spas, beaches and rivers have been closed as a safety and health measure to maintain the physical distance between people, thereby seeking to curb the spread and spread of the coronavirus in the country.
President Danilo Medina reported that Decree 266-20 issued this Monday, on July 20, establishes the curfew from Monday to Friday starting at 7:00 p.m., until 5:00 a.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays it will be from 5 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. in Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional, Santiago and San Cristóbal. In addition and with the same hours: La Vega, Puerto Plata, Duarte, San Pedro de Macorís, La Romana, San Juan de la Maguana, La Altagracia, Azua, Monsignor Nouel, Sánchez Ramírez and María Trinidad Sánchez.
Meanwhile, a curfew is established every day of the week from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. in the following geographical areas: Espaillat, Peravia, Barahona, Monte Plata, Valverde, Hermanas Mirabal, Monte Cristi , Samaná, Bahoruco, Hato Mayor and El Seibo, Dajabón, Santiago Rodríguez, San José de Ocoa, Elías Piña, Independencia and Pedernales.
The curfew will take effect from Tuesday, July 21, for a period of 20 days, at the end of which it will be reviewed based on the epidemiological evolution of COVID-19 in the country.
Everyone must use a mask in public places and in private places for public use. It is ratified as an essential measure to control the spread of COVID-19, and non-compliance will be sanctioned with the provisions established by Law no. 42-01. General of Health.
It is recalled that the measures will be internal, since the government does not contemplate closing the borders; tourism will continue to work and other economic activities will continue to operate, according to the High-Level Commission for the Prevention and Control of Coronavirus in the Dominican Republic.
The curfew only limits the hours of movement of people and does not affect economic activities, such as hotels, shopping malls, markets, public transport and cabins at the established time. This time it is different from the other six previous curfews, from the start of the pandemic in the country, on March 20, when economic activities were limited, except for supermarkets, grocery stores, agricultural farms and service entities such as stations of fuels.