Dominican government lifts the state of emergency
The Executive Branch announced the lifting of the state of emergency by October 11th, which entails the end of the curfew in the national territory and restrictions on freedom of movement, association and assembly. .
The information was stated by the legal consultant, Antoliano Peralta, during a press conference at the National Palace, who announced that the government has new measures, as well as the legal framework under which they will be adopted.
In that sense, he announced that the mandatory use of masks and the protocols of physical distancing will be maintained, as well as the continuation of the National Vaccination Plan against COVID-19.
Peralta declared that the Dominican government made the decision not to request again from Congress the authorization to extend the state of emergency, for which it had the opportunity until today, October 6th, in accordance with Law 21-18 that regulates the states of exception.
The national territory was declared in a state of emergency on July 20th, 2020, by virtue of resolution 70-20 of the National Congress and decree 265-20 of the Executive Power. Its last extension was authorized and declared until October 11th, by virtue of resolution 323-21 and decree 528-21, respectively.
According to a press release from the Presidency of the Republic, thanks to the measures adopted within the framework of the state of emergency, the effects of the coronavirus pandemic have been controlled and mitigated, therefore, since July 3rd of this year , the government implemented the Plan for Flexibility of Restrictive Measures, consisting of three successive phases to ensure a gradual and safe reopening.
At the third and last phase of the aforementioned flexibilization plan, since last July 21st, 2021, the curfew was lifted in those territorial demarcations in which 70% of its population has received the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Likewise, through the National Vaccination Plan, almost 60%t have been inoculated in the national territory, the document states.
The decision to lift the restrictive measure occurs at a time when there are increases in the number of infected in the Dominican Republic, which to date accumulates a total of 362,849 confirmed cases of the disease.