Dominica Update: Balancing Tourism Reopening with Safety

Dominica, the Caribbean’s “Nature Island,” has been welcoming tourists since Aug. 7 with strict guidelines in place, “all of this is in an attempt to make sure you’re safe and sound,” said Colin Piper, the CEO and Director of Tourism of Discover Dominica Authority, during a recent webinar.

“We need to keep our borders open and allowing visitors to enjoy Dominica while providing much needed guess for our doors industry country,” Piper said. “So know that any visiting to Dominica in time is truly precious to us and we will do everything in our power to keep them safe.”

Travelers are required to submit a health questionnaire online at least 24 hours prior to arrival and to upload a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival.

Upon arrival, passengers will undergo a health assessment including temperature check and a rapid diagnostic test, which takes about 20-30 minutes.

Countries are divided by categorization of risk, which will be reviewed on a weekly basis.

Canadians are under the Medium Risk segment. Upon clearance at the airport, there will be ongoing monitoring for up to 14 days at a place of residence or take a PCR tests on day five, which would cost $40. If the result is negative, there will no further monitoring.

For those arriving from the U.S., which are deemed High Risk, negative travelers will be transported to a mandatory quarantine at a government operated quarantine facility or government certified private property. The first night in quarantine will cost $150 USD, and each additional night will cost $90. Payments need to be made upon arrival.

Dominica is currently redefining the list of government certified down private properties, Piper said.

High-rick guests will have to be there for minimum for five days, and on day five will be administered a PCR test for $40. If they are medically cleared, then guests will be allowed to experience and discover the island. If that result is positive, they will be admitted to a COVID isolation unit.

“You can choose to consider kind of working from your hotel room, you know, during that period while we're making sure that you are safe and sound from a health standpoint and looking at it as some downtime, kind of a change of scenery,” Piper said.

Dominica has recorded 19 confirmed cases and no deaths.