Sosua Reports

[Cestme]

I thought that the antigen test was the same as an antibody test. But I was corrected on that. It is not. The antigen test is a test for active Covid and my understanding is that it is acceptable for people returning to US after the 26th. It would not be accepted for flights to Canada as I understand. Of course a negative result on either the PCR or the antigen test is needed.

The antibody test is for testing whether you have had Covid, and are presumably immune. On that a positive result would be an indication of probable immunity, but this is not acceptable for travel anywhere. It is also known as serology test.

Moral of the story. If you have had Covid and recovered you will still need a test with a negative result for having Covid. Before you fly to Canada or US.

It is also my understanding that either of the two viral tests, PCR or Antigen, is accepted to board a flight to the United States. I also think that the cost for the Covid test is covered by the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic under the current free healthcare coverage that the Dominican Republic is offering to international travelers in the DR, to boost tourism during this pandemic until 3/31. Accordingly, you will have to travel to the DR by air and check-in a hotel, to qualify for the coverage. I called my regular hotel, Napolitano, in the capital and they will follow up and get back to me with all we need to know by tomorrow; will keep you guys posted once I hear back from them.

[Zeos1]

Ah OK. I am speaking of the lab report to fly back home. CDC requires a RT-PCR test and I have a feeling that, it is not so common in the DR, also because the antibody / antigen tests are a lot cheaper, from what I am hearing.

I thought that the antigen test was the same as an antibody test. But I was corrected on that. It is not. The antigen test is a test for active Covid and my understanding is that it is acceptable for people returning to US after the 26th. It would not be accepted for flights to Canada as I understand. Of course a negative result on either the PCR or the antigen test is needed.

The antibody test is for testing whether you have had Covid, and are presumably immune. On that a positive result would be an indication of probable immunity, but this is not acceptable for travel anywhere. It is also known as serology test.

Moral of the story. If you have had Covid and recovered you will still need a test with a negative result for having Covid. Before you fly to Canada or US.

[Tempoecorto]

There should be other alternatives available for the test.

The Canadian Consulate sent me this morning a response to my query. I am only including those valid for the North Coast. By the way, CMC in Sosua only does the Antigen test. Not valid for flying.

Good day,

Thank you for contacting the Canadian Consulate in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

We understand you have enquiries regarding the mandatory requirement for a pre-departure COVID-19 testing and negative results to be required for all air travellers coming to Canada.

Effective midnight on January 7, 2021 (00:00 EST or 05:00 UCT), regardless of citizenship, all travellers five years of age or older must provide proof of a negative laboratory test result for COVID-19 to the airline prior to boarding a flight to Canada.

Acceptable tests.

The test must be performed using one of two types of COVID-19 testseither a molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) and must be conducted within 96 hours of the traveller's scheduled departure to Canada.

Proof to board a flight.

All travellers coming to Canada must present proof of a negative laboratory test result for COVID-19 at the time of boarding. Failure to do so will mean an automatic denial of boarding by the airline operating the flight to Canada.

Clinics and labs for covid-19 tests.

Puerto Plata.

Centro medico bournigal.

Calle antera mota 138, Puerto Plata 57000, Dominican republic.

Hours: open 24 hours.

Phone: +1 809-586-2342.

https://www.Centromedicobournigal.Com

No appointment needed. Person must go directly to the emergency room.

Pcr rd4,500.00 (cad100.00) results within 5 days.

Laboratorio referencia.

Address: see / antera mota #70, plaza milano, regiand norte, Puerto Plata 57000.

Phone number: 809-261-8181.

https://www.Labreferencia.Com/covid/

Cost: 4,500 dop.

Time required: results are in after 48 h call for appointment.

Or by whatsapp, must send id, insurance card, doctors prescription.

Santiago.

Referencia.

Address: plaza el jardand, av. 27 de febrero esq, Santiago de los caballeros 51000.

Phone number: 809-221-5545.

https://www.Labreferencia.Com/covid/

Cost: 4,500 dop.

Time required: results are in after 48 h call for appointment.

Or by whatsapp, must send id, insurance card, doctors prescription.

Laboratorio amadita.

Address: av. Bartolom coland esq. Av. Texas, plaza comercial texas jardines metropolitanos.

Phone number: (809) 724-1665/ (809) 682-5414 / (809) 621-5414.

Cost: 4,300 dop / free with insurance.

Time required: 48 to 72 h. Appointments can be made through the website.

https://covid19.Amadita.Com/

Appointments are available online after 7 am everyday.

[Tempoecorto]

Thanks for that. Another friend of mine told me about a place, close to La Pola (or is it Super pola? Called Clinica Centro Medico, I believe. I have been trying now to find out if they do the PCR test which is the nose swab thing and acceptable to the airline / CDC. The whole thing is relatively easy, at least in my home town. I did it two times last year, sitting in my car and the results got sent over by secure web access within 24 hours. I am however curious as to what happens in the DR. In terms of the process.

I had written to this Hospital / Clinic of Sosua yesterday by email. They confirmed earlier today that they do only Antigen / Antibody tests and not the PCR test. This means I and all others will now will have to figure out where around Sosua the test is available and soon as the CDC directive would be effective 26th onwards. The Canadians are already impacted by such a rule for return.

[Oakie]

Thanks for that. Another friend of mine told me about a place, close to La Pola (or is it Super pola? Called Clinica Centro Medico, I believe. I have been trying now to find out if they do the PCR test..........

That would be our local emergency hospital, locally referred to as the "carniceria". Mainly occupied with moto casualties. Stay away from there if you can.

I was there for 3 days last year with a severe bladder infection, and they wanted to cut me up. If my regular had not took charge got me out of there, I might still be there, LOL.

There should be other alternatives available for the test.

[Zeos1]

There was a recent order from the CDC (USA) requiring all passengers have a COVID test 3 days prior to departure to USA.

I'm not sure if it applies to US citizens. Also not sure what date this requirement expires.

Yep, effective on the 26th. For everyone flying into the US, expiry of this would be when the pandemic subsides, in other words your guess is as good as anyones. Best to check with CDC website, info may be more reliable than a monger board.

[Tempoecorto]

Well when I got chosen randomly at the airport I only had to blow into an empty plastic tube then they went in the back to run the tests on it.

Ah OK. I am speaking of the lab report to fly back home. CDC requires a RT-PCR test and I have a feeling that, it is not so common in the DR, also because the antibody / antigen tests are a lot cheaper, from what I am hearing.

[Mr Enternational]

I am however curious as to what happens in the DR. In terms of the process.

Well when I got chosen randomly at the airport I only had to blow into an empty plastic tube then they went in the back to run the tests on it.

[TravelingMan3]

Where is this hotel and bar?

I think he means Anhvee.

[Sammon]

Hotel ibex (out whatever it's called is open is very nice with multiple bars and there has to have been 100 girls there, $500 President to get in, not sure what girls pay.

Where is this hotel and bar?

[Tempoecorto]

When I was there for Christmas there was a guy that had just gotten a covid test done. I asked him where he went and he said there is a place close to the superpollo supermarket that he went to. I don't remember all the details but the way he was talking it seemed like a cheap quick easy process.

Thanks for that. Another friend of mine told me about a place, close to La Pola (or is it Super pola? Called Clinica Centro Medico, I believe. I have been trying now to find out if they do the PCR test which is the nose swab thing and acceptable to the airline / CDC. The whole thing is relatively easy, at least in my home town. I did it two times last year, sitting in my car and the results got sent over by secure web access within 24 hours. I am however curious as to what happens in the DR. In terms of the process.

[Chris Bigdog]

Flew in from JFK to POP Thursday am, had planned to leave Sunday am.

Decided to leave a day earlier, not bc I had a bad time, but I bore easily.

Stayed at Casa Valeria. Not high end and expensive for what it is but convenient. I will say their food is excellent.

American breakfast, a nice sautéed fish with garlic and the goat dish with rice all top notch. Bar open as late as you want; but average looking girls. I think the girls are ok looking at best in general, but that's just me. After about 22 they start to gain weight and get hardened looking. Tough life; I feel for them. With the exception of a few taller Dominicanas, but they know it and are much less enthusiastic in bed. My Spanish is fairly non-existent, so Google translate works but isn't great for pillow talk. So I stuck with nice bodied Haitianas.

Lots of girls on the street and plenty at the hotel Inez or whatever it's called. Curfew is the real deal with all businesses closed. A few stragglers on the street but I definitely did not feel comfortable walking around a deserted street after curfew hours, not for safety reasons but I don't want trouble with police. But a taxi is fine and you can go wherever in what at pretty much anytime.

I think you will find it a worthwhile trip.

Hotel ibex (out whatever it's called is open is very nice with multiple bars and there has to have been 100 girls there, $500 President to get in, not sure what girls pay.

[SamWebster]

When I was there for Christmas there was a guy that had just gotten a covid test done. I asked him where he went and he said there is a place close to the superpollo supermarket that he went to. I don't remember all the details but the way he was talking it seemed like a cheap quick easy process.

[Tempoecorto]

It will be very helpful to know what the labs answers are. On the other hand, I discovered that to attract international tourists during this pandemic period, the DR is offering free medical coverage plus charges for any change to return flight dates due to illness, including Covid 19 while in the DR,

Yes, I too have read what you and others have but it has no relevance for me. I do not go to AI and am not going to bet on what the DR government is or is not going to do. I have to find out what I can get done locally in the POP area and will decide accordingly if I want to undertake the trip. If it is easy, efficient and does not cost an arm and a leg, I may try for my short week long trip.

Sure, I will post any eventual answers from these two labs. So far this morning nothing. Not too surprising, that!

[Cestme]

Thanks. I sent both labs a whatsapp message asking those questions, especially in view of the fact that the website shows they want a doctor's requisition as well as an insurance card, which a tourist would not have. Let's see what if any, the response is.

Thanks again.

Tempoecorto. It will be very helpful to know what the labs answers are. On the other hand, I discovered that to attract international tourists during this pandemic period, the DR is offering free medical coverage plus charges for any change to return flight dates due to illness, including Covid 19 while in the DR, from now until March 31st. To be a beneficiary, you will have to fly into the DR and check-in a hotel where there is an insurance form to be completed for the coverage. I assume that this also covers the Covid 19 test, for departure from the DR. For more details, google: Travel Assistance Certificate Safe Tourism DR.