Puerto Plata

**Oakie** · 05-10-20 10:41

Entry into and out of PP is restricted to essential travel and is closely monitored with checkpoints.

My PP regular has been turned back twice in the last 2 weeks, trying to get to Sosua. The last time she was here, two weeks ago, she slipped through on a motoconcho. She was carrying sopa, she showed them, for a sick family member. That's dedication, LOL.

She gets down from the stifling hot barrio to the deserted beach almost every day with her kid, but soon gets warned off by the cops. She doesn't mind, they are usually polite and she gets at least a half hour of fresh air, before they show up.

She's dying to get back to my place again, with the pool, fresh white sheets, unlimited showers, and a cold Corona at the small bar here, tended by her amiga.

She's likely to show up with that big smile on her face, bearing gifts, any day now. She'll text me in advance, and I'll say, "Si".

**SubCmdr** · 05-10-20 01:05

May 9, 2020 - Puerto Plata, DR.

"The confinement arranged by the government in this province, as a result of the massive concentration of people following the visit of the pilgrim of Villa Altagracia, Migdomio Adames, is carried out without a greater impact than the supervision of access at the east and west entrances of the city.

The movement of people and vehicles is carried out normally and this Friday there were ostensibly long lines of people to access the banks, supermarkets, and establishments that are operating here.

In the Banreservas main office, the line covered the entire Padre Castellanos street and a section of the Beller, after the intervention of police units and the Joint Task Force to avoid excessive crowds in front of a large number of clients of the bank branch.

On Beller Street itself, clients of Banco del Progreso, although in smaller numbers, lined up on the opposite sidewalk, seeking to protect themselves from the harsh sun and prevailing high temperatures.

Tourism and businesses affected.

Since the beginning of the quarantine, the businesses most impacted by the prohibition to open their doors are those related to tourism, restaurants, gift shops, and other establishments, with their doors closed, and the Plaza Independencia, usually full of tourists, completely desolate, to the extent that in full activity the city hall was the only space for mobility around the plaza. Some taxi units of the tourist union, which have seen their activities diminish, transport local clients who are currently requesting their services.

Some tour guides also wander around the square, so as not to lose the habit of being in their usual place of work. No vendors of water, coconuts, or hats for visitors are observed.

Numerous commercial establishments, clothing stores, sale of articles for cell phones, false hair, cosmetics, candy stores, beauty salons, and others closed for almost two months waiting for better times.

Along the streets, like Separaci and, it is devastating to see the row of closed businesses that abound in one of the main commercial arteries of the city.

Businesses closed due to noncompliance.

Last Thursday's session was one of the most intense for the Police and Joint Task Force units. Ten businesses were provisionally closed when it was found that they did not comply with the social distancing rules imposed by the health authorities. Grocery stores, colmados (local small markets), and other establishments were also closed, during the operation in which the most visible was the very busy Las Margaritas store, at the intersection between the calls Beller and San Felipe, in the same historical center of the city, the store that sells everything from cosmetics, groceries, and plastics, has little interior aisle space, and customers often accumulate with less than a half-meter distance from each other.

Irregular supplies.

The main supermarkets in the city, the two establishments of the Jos Luis Supermarket, La Sirena and Jumbo, maintain a fairly normal stock of groceries and other items, but in some cases, it is evident how at certain times there are scarce items, milk without lactose, wheat flour, regular yogurt in one-liter containers, prepackaged meats, are currently not on the shelves, certain usual brands of salamis, corn flakes, or imported butter, etc. One day they are there and another not.

While in the streets adjacent to the municipal market, vendors of groceries and vegetables from the vans or on the sidewalks offer their products to customers from before 6 in the morning until close to two in the afternoon when they pick up their merchandise.

In recent days, trucks selling bananas, pumpkins, watermelons, pineapples, and other products have proliferated, located on busy streets to offer their products to passers-by.

Checkpoints.

At the eastern entrance to the city next to the number two entrance to Playa Dorada, one-to-one checks are carried out on vehicles entering or leaving the city, in a friendly way, the police and military personnel stationed at the site inquire of the drivers their destinations, they ensure that there are no excess passengers and those motorcycle riders are properly equipped with a protective helmet and that they justify the reason why they are transiting from one place to another.

Lieutenant Fabiand explained to this reporter that in compliance with the instructions of the superiors, there is kindly advisement to ensure that only those people who, due to work commitments, have to drive. Trucks and other goods transport vehicles to markets and other establishments and people who go to medical check-ups, mainly constitute this group.

The events.

Malecon.

In the Malecon the activity has been drastically reduced equally, restaurants, bars and the traditional booths in the upper part are closed, in the morning some people are seen walking, running or cycling, the majority with masks in place or half in place and people who come out to sit and talk in the fresh air sitting at a safe distance.

The 4 o'clock time limit.

From 4 o'clock pm Is when the city really begins to feel the real respite, the circulation of vehicles drastically decreases, the motoconchos disappear and in general, the most active streets slow as the clock edges toward 5 pm When the movement of people, motorbikes, and other vehicles becomes almost non-existent".

https://dominicantoday.com/dr/north-...ment-measures/

**Darelax** · 05-04-20 15:17

I heard a few days ago from a friend of mine who lives in Puerto Plata that the virus is now so wide spread thanks to some religious meetings.

**Charles Pooter** · 04-26-20 14:41

Originally Posted by Yanqui69 [View Original Post]

A friend in Santiago says the stores won't let people in with masks.

Wonder if they suppose that such people are infected, or afraid of robbery. ?

Thanks for your good wishes which I reciprocate.

I think there must be a miscommunication with your friend. In Puerto Plata, standard practice for supermarkets, utilities offices, banks and all "branded" establishments is to ban entry to anyone not wearing a mask. Colmados are not so strict, but still most staff and customers wear masks. I cannot believe Santiago would be much different.

**Yanqui69** · 04-25-20 14:32

Originally Posted by CharlesPooter [View Original Post]

30 confirmed cases in Puerto Plata province (not just in the city) and no deaths. The real figures are likely to be considerably higher because of lack of testing and poor communications, but will still be way better than a lot of places. So far. Who knows what the nest two weeks will bring?

The locals are trying really hard to conform to recommendations with their social distancing and face-masks. I am quite impressed. I did not think Dominicans and Haitians could be that disciplined. But they do not really understand the nature of the threat. For example, I saw two middle-aged men wearing face-masks enthusiastically shaking hands on meeting today. Most locals think the virus is floating around in the air. They do not realize the greater threat comes from touching people, animals, and objects.

Glad to see that you are well, Sir Charles.

Curious what you comment about the masks.

A friend in Santiago says the stores won't let people in with masks.

Wonder if they suppose that such people are infected, or afraid of robbery. ?

**Darelax** · 04-06-20 15:54

Originally Posted by CharlesPooter [View Original Post]

30 confirmed cases in Puerto Plata province (not just in the city) and no deaths. The real figures are likely to be considerably higher because of lack of testing and poor communications, but will still be way better than a lot of places. So far. Who knows what the nest two weeks will bring?

The locals are trying really hard to conform to recommendations with their social distancing and face-masks. I am quite impressed. I did not think Dominicans and Haitians could be that disciplined. But they do not really understand the nature of the threat. For example, I saw two middle-aged men wearing face-masks enthusiastically shaking hands on meeting today. Most locals think the virus is floating around in the air. They do not realize the greater threat comes from touching people, animals, and objects.

On the one hand you are giving good news, but on the other hand I not so good. I really hope that beautiful city and their people stay safe!

**FunMan13** · 04-05-20 03:57

Thank you Sir Charles & Sir Oakie for your PMs. No, I am not optimistic that the situation will be resolved by the end of July. However, the airlines are allowing free cancellations if we purchase tickets now. So there's nothing to lose. I am in no hurry to buy the tickets. I just want to work out the logistics on the ground.

**Wrx2005** · 04-04-20 21:24

The curfew currently in the Dominican Republic is 5 PM until 6 AM. Not 8 PM until 6 AM.

**Charles Pooter** · 04-04-20 17:00

Originally Posted by Darelax [View Original Post]

Just wondering how things are going in PP and surrounding areas? Has the virus spread much? Any news?

30 confirmed cases in Puerto Plata province (not just in the city) and no deaths. The real figures are likely to be considerably higher because of lack of testing and poor communications, but will still be way better than a lot of places. So far. Who knows what the nest two weeks will bring?

The locals are trying really hard to conform to recommendations with their social distancing and face-masks. I am quite impressed. I did not think Dominicans and Haitians could be that disciplined. But they do not really understand the nature of the threat. For example, I saw two middle-aged men wearing face-masks enthusiastically shaking hands on meeting today. Most locals think the virus is floating around in the air. They do not realize the greater threat comes from touching people, animals, and objects.

**Darelax** · 04-02-20 12:08

Just wondering how things are going in PP and surrounding areas? Has the virus spread much? Any news?

**FunMan13** · 03-29-20 00:55

Well, I guess it's for the best. Thanks Oakie & George3. Be safe.

**George03** · 03-28-20 17:51

Originally Posted by FunMan13 [View Original Post]

Oakie,

COVID-19 is not affecting the area? That's great.

Right now I am supposed to be in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand for a month. I had to rush back last weekend before the borders close. Now I am stuck home in Houston indefinitely and playing with myself!

Funman13.

Blackbeards is closed! I get a newsletter each month, closed until further notice!

**Oakie** · 03-28-20 10:00

Originally Posted by FunMan13 [View Original Post]

Oakie,

COVID-19 is not affecting the area? That's great.

Right now I am supposed to be in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand for a month. I had to rush back last weekend before the borders close. Now I am stuck home in Houston indefinitely and playing with myself!

Funman13.

The entire DR is virtually shut down now (since the 19th).

A general curfew exists between 8 pm and 6 am.

Blackbeards is closed, as are all bars. Restaurants are all closed except a few that provide take-out.

No public transportation, no flights in or out except a very few taking stranded tourists home.

(Make sure you disinfect your keyboard, LOL).

Stay safe!

**FunMan13** · 03-28-20 07:51

Oakie,

COVID-19 is not affecting the area? That's great.

Right now I am supposed to be in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand for a month. I had to rush back last weekend before the borders close. Now I am stuck home in Houston indefinitely and playing with myself!

Funman13.

**FunMan13** · 03-28-20 07:36

Many years ago, in every Mexican town along the border with Texas, there was always an RLD. They're called Boys Town. The chicas would rent little rooms in the complex. Most of them would have a small altar in the room with a picture of Jesus and a statue of the Virgin Mary in the form of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I could never session with these girls knowing that Jesus and His Mother are watching!

Originally Posted by CharlesPooter [View Original Post]

I do not know about Barba Negra, but there used to be a brothel on the outskirts of Pto Pta called La Choza. The girls maintained a shrine with many candles, flowers and images. It was santeria rather than Catholicism proper, though.