FAQ

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new strain that was discovered in 2019 and has not been previously identified in humans.

Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people.  Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

Dominica will repatriate 119 nationals this week amidst plans to further ease restrictions imposed to protect public health and safety during the COVID -19 pandemic.  This announcement was made by Dr. Irving McIntyre Minister for Health, Wellness and New Health Investment at a press briefing on June 5, 2020.  The Minister informed the nation that plans to further ease restrictions would be announced in the coming week as there was no evidence of community spread of the coronavirus.  Dominicans could see the easing of curfew hours, reopening of additional businesses and return to regular working hours of public officers.   Dr. McIntyre however cautioned Dominicans to remain focused and continue to practice proper handwashing, wearing of face masks, physical distancing, and good respiratory etiquette.

State of Emergency & Curfew: Effective April 1, 2020, the President of Dominica, His Excellency Charles Savarin issued Statutory Rules and Order No. 15 of 2020 which places the island in a State of Emergency as a result of COVID 19 continues.

Considering the present status of COVID-19, the Ministry of Health’s technical team continue to make recommendations for amendments to SRO15 of 2020 which allows for lifting of certain restrictions:

As of Monday 25th May, curfew hours are as follows:

Mondays to Fridays 8pm – 5am

Saturdays and Sundays 6pm – 5am

Businesses are now allowed to open up to 6pm between Monday and Friday, and up to 3pm on Saturdays.

Provisions for churches, gyms, and restaurants for dine – in will be provided in the coming week. In the interim the ban on church gatherings continue.

Discussions are on-going with the Ministry of Education regarding opening of schools. However, for the time being, schools, in terms of the traditional gathering for classes, will remain closed while alternative methods of teaching, especially through online training, are continuing and being further fine-tuned.

Buses are now allowed to carry three persons per row; however, the protocols of sanitizing passengers’ hands before entering the vehicle, wearing of face masks or cloth shield to cover nose and mouth, following proper respiratory etiquette and keeping windows open as far possible, must be adhered to.

Also, guidelines are being developed in coordination with other countries in the region for the gradual resumption of travel. Should the country continue on the current trajectory of the management of the pandemic situation, we hope to be able to facilitate at least regional travel by July.

The ban on liquor licenses has been lifted effective April 27, 2020 to allow for purchase only of liquor and not consumption at the point of sale.

Fresh produce will be sold at designated areas with the markets up to 4 pm, Mondays to Fridays. Effective April 28, 2020, space will be allocated to allow for vending of produce from pick-up trucks in the capital.  Physical distancing protocols will be maintained.

Restrictions to Beaches & Rivers Access are from Mondays to Saturdays from 8 am to 5 pm. There will be: No consumption of alcohol, No barbequing, No loud music or parties, No picnics, No groups larger than ten (10)

Police will be monitoring activities on the beaches and at rivers to ensure compliance with social distancing measures and aforementioned restrictions.

The ban on large gatherings remains in effect with not more than 10 persons allowed at a public place at a time, and physical distancing protocols must be followed.  

The Ministry of Health continue to urge citizens to be vigilant, wear masks, and practice respiratory etiquette.

Ecotourism sites: All (12) ecotourism sites managed by the Government of Dominica through the Division of Forestry or Ministry of Tourism are closed until further notice. This is specifically to curtail the spread of the virus at the tourism facilities where hikers may use the washroom and interpretation facilities.

Hotels: Properties are closed or in the process of temporary closures as guests have all departed. Please contact the property directly to get the latest update.

Religious places of worship are closed except for weddings and funerals, which must be conducted utilizing stipulated guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health.

All ports of entry are closed to passenger traffic until further notice. As such, no airlines or ferries are operating into Dominica with passengers. In Keeping with S.R.O. 13 of 2020, only air and sea cargo are allowed with exceptions for Aircraft, Ships or Other vessels carrying the following passengers; (a) Citizens of Dominica ; (b) resident diplomats; (c) medical personnel; (d) any other person authorized in writing by the Minister with responsibility for National Security.

Yachts: Entry into the country and mooring offshore is not permitted at this time.

The Commonwealth of Dominica has suspended all commercial air and sea access to all non-Dominicans effective Thursday the 26th day of March 2020 and to all travelers, including Dominican citizens and residents Saturday, the 28th of March 2020. This order relates to all commercial aircraft as well as non-essential, service-oriented, pleasure craft. “The same order of March 28th applies to ships, boats and yachts not visiting Dominica for the express purpose of bringing in vitally-needed cargo and other supplies to Dominica.

All air and sea arrivals must, henceforth, be granted permission to enter by the office of the Chief Medical Officer.”

Following the speech of the President of the French Republic Emmanuel MACRON on March 17^th, 2020, and his decision to close the borders at the entrance of the European Union and the Schengen area.

All travel between non-European countries and the European Union will be suspended for 30 days.

L’Express des Iles informs all these passengers of the stop of its international line and the cancellation of all the trips between Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique and Saint Lucia as of tomorrow Tuesday, March 17 and until further notice.

Consequently, L’Express des Iles will operate from March 20 – 22 in an effort to repatriate the foreigners in Dominica to their respective ports or transit port, and Dominicans in the various Express des Iles Ports back to Dominica.

No other approvals have been received to accept travelers other than those repatriating on those dates.

VAL Ferry has also cancelled ferry services until further notice.

The Commonwealth of Dominica has suspended all commercial air and sea access to all non-Dominicans effective Thursday the 26th day of March 2020 and to all travelers, including Dominican citizens and residents Saturday, the 28th of March 2020. This order relates to all commercial aircraft as well as non-essential, service-oriented, pleasure craft. “The same order of March 28th applies to ships, boats and yachts not visiting Dominica for the express purpose of bringing in vitally-needed cargo and other supplies to Dominica.

All air and sea arrivals must, henceforth, be granted permission to enter by the office of the Chief Medical Officer.”

Properties are closed or in the process of temporary closures as guests have all departed. Please contact the property directly to get the latest update.

Every passenger entering Dominica will be automatically quarantined for fourteen days. They will be moved to a quarantine area where further testing is done.

Persons who show symptoms at the screening are transferred to the quarantine unit for further testing. Dominica is the only island in the OECS conducting its own testing.

The Ministry of Tourism International Transport and Maritime Initiatives, through the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) will continue to monitor protocols set by the Ministry of Health, Wellness and New Health Investment for decisions on a case by case basis.  As such, a statement will be made as we approach each activity.  

The Authority on Covid – 19 questions is the Ministry for Health, Wellness and New Health Investment. The Hotline is 1 767 448 2151, 448 2156, 448 2153 or Toll Free 1 800 219 or 611 4325.

Persons who feel ill are asked to report to their medial unit. After screening they are transferred to the quarantine unit for further testing. Persons will be held in quarantine for two weeks even if they show no symptoms. Those who have been tested positive are sent to a COVID facility for treatment. Dominica is the only island in the OECS conducting its own testing.