Dominican Republic announces reopening of protected areas

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources ordered the reopening of ecotourism visits to different protected areas of the country, during the current state of emergency established by President Danilo Medina through Decree 265-20, for a period of 45 days, to from July 20 to September 3, 2020, due to the effects of the Coronavirus.

When issuing the provision, the Minister Ángel Estévez, indicated that the restart of the visits will be carried out in compliance with a strict protocol established by the environmental institution and containing the measures adopted by the health authorities, with the aim of guaranteeing the health of national visitors. and foreigners, the guides, support staff and Ministry personnel who work there, and therefore urged the authorities in charge to faithfully comply with the established regulations.

He also specified that for the restart of these activities, the measures implemented by the Tourism Ministry in reopening the country’s tourist operations have also been taken into account, complying with the same rules and protocol, as required by the process in which we live, In the face of the Coronavirus pandemic, among these, working with a minimum of personnel from the institution to prevent crowding of employees, as well as taking into account all the necessary provisions to avoid possible contagion and spread of Covid-19.

Among the protected areas that can already be visited, as long as the rules of conduct designed to maintain hygiene in each space are met, are the Cotubanama National Parks (Isla Saona and Palmilla), in La Romana, the Jaragua National Park in Pedernales , Monte Cristi Submarine National Park, Cayo Arena, El Morro, Estero Balsa and Isla Cabra, in Montecristi, as well as Los Haitises, in Hato Mayor-Samaná and Lake Enriquillo and Isla Cabritos, in the Independencia province.

Likewise, to the Ozama Wetlands, only Laguna Manatí sector, in Santo Domingo Norte, not including bathing in rivers, ponds or lagoons, Valle Nuevo, without staying overnight, except in Villa Pajón, Constanza, Cabo Cabrón in Samaná, as well as the Francisco Caamano Park, in Azua, and the Estero Hondo Marine Mammal Sanctuaries (Manatees) in Puerto Plata, Bancos de la Plata and Christmas, only Cayo Levantado and Cayo Farola, in Samaná, and the Scientific Reserve, Ébano Verde, in Constanza .

The provision also authorizes visits to the Cabo Francés Viejo Natural Monuments, in Maria Trinidad Sánchez, Loma Isabel de Torres, Puerto Plata, Dunas de las Calderas in Peravia, Catalina Island in La Romana and Lagunas Cabarete and Goleta (El Choco) and Damajagua Falls in Puerto Plata, as well as Cuevas Las Maravillas, in La Romana, Salto del Limón (El Choco) and Cabo Samaná in the Samaná province, Cuevas de Borbón or Pomier Anthropological Reserve, in San Cristóbal and Laguna Gri Natural Monument Gri.

It also includes the Cueva de los Tres Ojos Wildlife Refuges,
Laguna El Toro, Cachon de la Rubia Springs and Gran Parque de las Américas, in Santo Domingo Este, Gran Estero in Maria Trinidad Sánchez, and the Ecological Parks: De las Investigaciones, Santo Domingo Oeste, Laguna Aurelio and Las Caobas, in San Cristóbal , Don Gregorio Lagoon, Peravia and Las Malvinas, in Santo Domingo Norte, Mirador del Oeste, Engombe and Los Alcarrizos, in Santo Domingo Oeste.

Visiting hours to Protected Areas will be held from Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., as this does not authorize bathing in rivers, pools or lagoons, in these spaces.

Estévez reiterated that the protocol for the restart of visits to protected areas is mandatory, which establishes the use of masks, physical distancing, frequent washing of hands with soap and water, and use of gel with alcohol, taking temperature and periodic cleaning of all surfaces, as well as the placement of signs that instruct on the virus, among other measures that seek to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the country.