Dominica introduces new travel protocols against COVID-19, to be effective from April 4

Dominica: The Government of the island country has announced new travelling COVID-19 related guidelines, which will come into effect from April 4, 2022.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and New Investment have announced the protocols and guidelines against the COVID-19 pandemic for traveling. As per the ministry, these guidelines are for pre- as well as on-arrival testing against the SARS-CoV-2 infection. These newly announced protocols also include guidelines for vaccinated travelers visiting Dominica.

As per the Health Ministry, the COVID-19 related protocols are as follows:-

• The restrictions on pre-arrival testing and testing on arrival for vaccinated passengers have been removed.
• Travelers will no longer fill out and submit the pre-travel e-form.
• Children aged 12 years and less will assume the status of parents.
• The restrictions on the arrival of unvaccinated travelers have been removed.

In effect, protocols:

• The unvaccinated travelers and symptomatic travelers will undergo pre-arrival testing.
• Positive-tested travelers will be isolated in keeping the local isolation protocols.

Further, the Health Ministry announced the guidelines for cruise tourism or cruise arrivals related to the COVID-19 pandemic; these are as follows:

For the cruise sector, all vaccinated passengers will be allowed to disembark and tour freely in keeping with established cruise ship and port protocols. Cruise sector workers (taxi drivers, vendors, tour guides) must be vaccinated or present a negative 48-hour Antigen test result and Safe in Nature pass.

Earlier on March 29, 2022 (Tuesday), the Ministry for Health, Wellness, and New Health Investment announced the new protocols and guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic. As per those protocols,

– Physical distancing of six feet is no longer mandatory at businesses and establishments.

– Public transportation is allowed to operate at full capacity.

– Restrictions on religious gatherings have been removed.

– Churches are no longer restricted to a maximum attendance of 150 and may operate at full capacity.

– Restrictions on Educational instruction have been removed.

– Daycares and Pre-schools will be allowed to reopen in keeping with health protocols developed for these establishments with effect from April 4.