Earlier this week, the Caribbean nation announced that it would no longer require travelers to provide a negative coronavirus test in order to enter the nation. Instead, all travelers will be required to undergo a temperature test and a select group of travelers — as well as anyone who has coronavirus symptoms — will have to undergo a “quick aleatory breath test” at airports and other ports of entry, according to the Dominican Republic’s tourism ministry website,
Of the passengers traveling into the nation, between 3% and 15% will be randomly selected to undergo the breath test, according to the website and the U.S. Embassy.
However, crew members and travelers under the age of 5 wouldn’t have to take the breath test.
According to the DR’s tourism ministry, if any travelers have coronavirus symptoms or test positive on the breath test, they will be required to isolate at a specific location. Otherwise, travelers aren’t required to quarantine.
Though the Dominican Republic doesn’t require travelers entering the nation to provide a negative coronavirus test, the nation does offer antigen testing to international visitors staying in hotels, according to the website.
The nation began the testing initiative in January as a way to make it easier for travelers from the U.S. to get tested before returning home since the U.S. requires proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of entering the nation.
Those tests are free to qualify travelers, according to the website. However, there’s an administration fee to cover the processing costs.
Although travelers are free to enter the Dominican Republic without a COVID-19 test, the nation still has some restrictions for individuals during their visit.
The Dominican Republic has instituted a curfew from Monday through Friday between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. That curfew lifts on May 16, according to the website.
The nation has also mandated social distancing and mask-wearing in public spaces, as well.
