COVID19
International flight operations to / from the Dominican Republic were resumed on July 1, 2020, under a strict security protocol established by the Dominican authorities. Since then, scheduled passenger and cargo flights have been operating normally. However, flights to and from the UK have been suspended.
As part of the current protocol, the Dominican authorities have established restrictions allowing only ONE person to wait for travelers inside the airport in the Arrivals area. An additional person can transfer in the vehicle to receive the traveler, but will not be allowed access to the interior of the terminals.
In the Departures area, the access of companions to the terminal is prohibited, except in the case of minors traveling alone and people with reduced mobility.
The use of cell phones is not allowed in restricted areas within airports.
Passengers must complete an E-Ticket when entering or leaving the Dominican Republic, which combines the forms of the General Directorate of Migration, the General Directorate of Customs and the Ministry of Public Health. The form can be accessed through the following link: https://eticket.migracion.gob.do/
To enter the Dominican Republic, COVID-19 tests are not required. Rapid tests are being performed on randomly selected travelers upon arrival, such as the diagnostic breath test for COVID-19. Passengers under the age of five and crew members are exempt from this requirement. Airports carry out temperature checks and other controls to monitor the arrival of passengers.
Travelers should also check directly with the airline to confirm if they have any proof or other requirements related to inbound flights to the Dominican Republic.
Likewise, before scheduling your flight out of the Dominican Republic, you should verify the travel requirements of your destination country. Each country has issued specific guidelines as part of their COVID-19 protocol.
Where to perform a COVID-19 test in the Dominican Republic:
Several laboratories across the country have the capacity to perform COVID-19 PCR and antigen tests.
Two of the largest companies in the country are the laboratories Amadita and Referencia, who can perform PCR and antigen tests at home. For this, it is necessary that you coordinate with enough time to receive the visit of the specialists, since 48 hours are required to process the sample and deliver the result according to the following guidelines:
- If you are in a hotel outside of Santo Domingo, we recommend scheduling the test as soon as you arrive in the country to ensure availability of specialists, so that you can obtain the result when you need it.
- If you are in Santo Domingo, you can schedule the test for the next day.
Remember that you must present your passport to take the test. For home tests to be carried out at the hotel, you must inform the reception staff so that they can give access to the laboratory specialists.
You can schedule an appointment to collect the PCR or antigen test sample through the following channels:
Clinical Laboratory Amadita
It has 47 branches accros the country for clinical analytics in general. The test for detection of COVID-19 by PCR or antigen is carried out through home delivery and in special outlets located in Santo Domingo and Santiago. Request the test by completing the form required by the Ministry of Health through the following channels:
- Amadita App (available for Android & IOS)
- Website: www.amadita.com
- Phone: (809) 682-5414
- WhatsApp (809) 682-5414
Clinical Laboratory Referencia
A network of 51 branches throughout the country. The COVID-19 PCR test is available through home delivery, self-collection kits and self-service stations at several of its branches. Request the test by completing the form required by the Ministry of Health through the following channels:
- Website: www.labreferencia.com
- Phone: (809) 221-2684;50
- WhatsApp: (809) 221-5545
Clinical laboratories available by location:
Puerto Plata
Clinical Laboratory Costa Norte | (809) 970-2171 |
Clinical Laboratory Referencia –Puerto Plata Branch | (809) 261-8181 |
Clinical Laboratory Puerto Plata | (809) 586-3030 |
Bournigal Medical Center | (809) 586-2342 |
Sosúa | |
Clinical Laboratory Puerto Plata- Sosúa Branch | (809) 571-4999 |
Clinical Laboratory Rodríguez Rubio | (809) 571-4692 |
Clinical Laboratory Imagdent | (809) 571-3727 |
Clinical Laboratory Merven | (809) 571-4707 |
Nagua (next to Samaná) | |
Clinical Laboratory Referencia- Nagua Branch | (809) 584-2124 |
Clinical Laboratory Zeneida Corporán | (809) 370-8181 |
Clinical Laboratory Siglo XXI | (809) 690-8546 |
Las Terrenas (Samaná) | |
Clinical Laboratory Sireny | (809) 240-5910 |
San Francisco de Macorís | |
Clinical Laboratory Amadita- San Fco Macorís Branch | (809) 725-6508 |
Clinical Laboratory Referencia- San Fco Macorís Branch | (809) 725-1000 |
Clinical Laboratory Dr. Herrera Courry | (809) 588-2626 |
CGE LABORATORY (CENTRO GASTRODIAGNOSTICO, SRL.)
Currently has 2 locations in Santo Domingo (Gazcue & Naco) and another location in Punta Cana.
PCR Tests:
- Available at all locations.
- Walk in at site in Gazcue (no appointment needed): Jose Joaquin Perez #208, Gazcue, Santo Domingo.
- Previous appointment needed in Naco: Avenida Tiradentes #14, Plaza Alfonso Comercial, 1st Floor, Naco, Santo Domingo.
- Previous appointment needed in Punta Cana: Avenida Alemania #23, Caribbean Business Group, Punta Cana.
Cost: RD$4,300 (approx. USD$75.00)
Results: 48 hours.
Antigen Tests:
Available without appointments, from 9:30 am, through 4:00 pm, in all their sites. Please present your passport.
For more information:
Website: www.cgelaboratorio.com
Whatsapp: 829-213-4395
Travel requirements of the main destinations:
U.S
All passengers two years of age or older who will travel to the United States must provide a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or antigens) performed within three calendar days prior to travel.
Both PCR and antigen tests are available from various laboratories and private facilities.
Travelers should work with their hotels and tour operators to identify and schedule their tests in time to meet their travel needs.
More information at: https://do.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/covid-19-information/
Canada
All passengers four years of age or older who wish to board a flight to Canada must present to the airline at the time of check in written documentation with the negative result of a COVID-19 laboratory test (on paper or in electronic format).
Only COVID-19 PCR laboratory test results are supported, which must include:
1. Traveler’s name and date of birth
2. Name and physical location of the laboratory / clinic / facility that administered the test
3. The date the test was performed.
4. The test method performed (only PCR is supported)
5. The test result (such as “negative” or “not detected”)
This test must be performed within 72 hours prior to the traveler’s scheduled departure time to Canada.
All passengers wishing to travel to Canada, regardless of their nationality, must show a negative PCR test result. Failure to do so will result in automatic boarding denial by the airline operating the flight to Canada.
More information at: https://tc.canada.ca/en/initiatives/covid-19-measures-updates-guidance-issued-transport-canada/covid-19-pre-departure-testing-transport-canada-interim-order
Spain
Spain still maintains travel restrictions and has only opened borders for residents and citizens of the European Union, countries that are parties to the Schengen Agreement and other specific countries. At the moment, the entry of Dominican citizens with a tourist visa is not allowed.
Dominican citizens who wish to move to Europe will only be able to do so at this time if they have a European Union residence, or are holders of a long-term visa (those that contain the text “Type D” on the visa card) issued by a Member State or Schengen Associated State and go to that country.
Likewise, if you are a student studying in the Member States of the European Union or Schengen Associated States; and they have the corresponding permit or visa and medical insurance, as long as they go to the country where they study and that the entry takes place during the academic year or the previous 15 days.
Family members of European Union citizens can also travel, for which they must have a Community Family Visa (ESC code and Type C), this being the only Type C visa that is allowed entry.
To date, a PCR test is not necessary to enter Spain from the Dominican Republic.
All travelers must fill out a public health form, online at www.spth.gob.es, or use the free application SPAIN TRAVEL HEALTH (SpTH). Once the form is completed, passengers will obtain a QR code that they must present upon arrival in Spain.
More information at: http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/SantoDomingo/es/Paginas/inicio.aspx
France
France still maintains travel restrictions and has only opened borders for residents and citizens of the European Union, countries that are parties to the Schengen Agreement and other specific countries. At the moment, the entry of Dominican citizens with a tourist visa is not allowed.
Dominican citizens who wish to move to Europe will only be able to do so at this time if they have a European Union residence, or are holders of a long-term visa (those that contain the text “Type D” on the visa card) issued by a Member State or Schengen Associated State and go to that country.
Likewise, if you are a student studying in the Member States of the European Union or Schengen Associated States; and they have the corresponding permit or visa and medical insurance, as long as they go to the country where they study and that the entry takes place during the academic year or the previous 15 days.
Family members of European Union citizens can also travel, for which they must have a Community Family Visa (ESC code and Type C), this being the only Type C visa that is allowed entry.
It is necessary to present a PCR test to enter France from the Dominican Republic that has been submitted less than 72 hours before takeoff for each traveler aged eleven years or more.
More information at: https://do.ambafrance.org/COVID-19-Restricciones-de-entrada-a-Francia-metropolitana-y-a-los-territorios#Si