Dominica

Governance and the Rule of Law

• India donated 500,000 doses of the Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine to the Caribbean. Dominica was one of the first countries to receive doses from India. The country received 70,000 doses of the vaccine, enough to administer one dose to every inhabitant.
• Dominica is also receiving vaccines through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access program, led by the World Health Organization and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. 
• Vaccinations began on February 12. The first groups to receive vaccines are frontline workers, senior citizens, and members of Cabinet and Parliament.
• Public turnout for the vaccination has been high, with approximately 16,000 people vaccinated within the first two months of the campaign. Health Minister Dr. Irving McIntyre credits the turnout to education on the importance of the vaccine by the country’s government.
• Dominica was singled out as the top performer in COVID-19 recoveries in the Americas region. With only one public hospital and a small number of ICU beds, Dominica’s health officials moved swiftly to stop the spread of COVID-19. 
• One month before the first COVID-19 case, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) organized a training to help develop Dominica’s capacity to identify and respond to the virus. 
• The PAHO has since praised Dominica’s response to the pandemic, particularly the Ministry of Health and the general public, who are collaborating with health guidelines.
• Dominica’s public schools reopened in early September, with Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit urging that all guidelines be followed to ensure safety. 
• Dominica reopened its borders to tourism in August 2020. The majority of COVID-19 cases in the country have been imported from other countries.
• All travelers are required to submit a negative test result 24 to 72 hours before entry and take a Rapid Diagnostic Test upon arrival. Travelers from medium and high-risk countries must then quarantine for at least five days.
• Failure to adhere to a mandatory quarantine order can result in a penalty of EC$5,000 or six months imprisonment, while providing false information on a health questionnaire can result in a penalty of EC $1,000 or three months imprisonment.

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Growth and Innovation

• Dominica is heavily dependent on tourism. Though borders have reopened, it is expected that it could take another two years for tourism in the Caribbean to return to pre-crisis levels. 
• The island reported 4,000 visitors from July to December 2020 — around half of what they would receive in a typical month prior to the start of the pandemic. 
• Dominica received a $25 million credit from the World Bank through the First COVID-19 Response and Recovery Development Policy Credit. Prime Minister Skerrit has commented that the funds will be used to preserve jobs and strengthen fiscal policies. The credit is tied to reforms in public financial management and debt transparency.
• The Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce encouraged members of the private sector to continue abiding by the government guidelines, which they believe are key to returning to economic prosperity.
• Prime Minister Skerrit has launched talks with cruise line owners and the Ministry of Tourism to explore the reopening of the cruise industry in Dominica. 
• Dominica is phasing tourism back in through the “Safe in Nature” certification program. Sixty-five properties are certified under the program, which allows them to accept foreign visitors for a managed tourism experience that includes limited outdoor excursions.
• The World Bank approved an additional $16.4 million to help Dominica in areas of agriculture and infrastructure for climate resilience and economic recovery from COVID-19. 
• The Caribbean Tourism Task Force was formed by different agencies and organizations in the Caribbean to build initiatives and prepare countries like Dominica to reopen to tourism. 
• Despite the current decline in tourism, plans for construction of a new international airport are proceeding as planned. 

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Social and Cultural Inclusion

• Dominican bus drivers have successfully negotiated a sector-specific stimulus package with the government. The deal followed protests about the lack of COVID-19 stimulus money available to drivers, particularly in the face of a recent rise in gasoline prices. 
• Two Dominican businessmen donated $5000 worth of personal protective equipment and critical health supplies to the Ministry of Education after hearing reports that some families could not afford masks. The Ministry has indicated that they will distribute the equipment to schools based on need. 
• The president of the Dominica Community Tourism Association indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the importance of community-based tourism, which strives toward building stronger community groups and developing sustainable tourism products. 
• Women farmers in Dominica lost their point of sale as measures were taken to stop the spread of COVID-19.
• UN Women is connecting farmers to new domestic market opportunities as COVID-19 interrupts the global supply chain and poses a major risk to their income. 
• The government of Dominica has addressed violence against women multiple times during the pandemic. This includes an information campaign and the National Psychosocial Support Hotline, which can provide support for victims of gender-based violence. 
• Dominica was approved for a $28 million loan from the World Bank as a part of the Caribbean Digital Transformation Project. The money will go towards supporting development of a digital economy, supporting the development of digital skills amongst business, and increasing internet penetration from 69% to 90%. 
• CARICOM’s Implementation Agency for Crime and Security, with the help of the British High Commission, delivered COVID-19 related supplies to Dominica to help prevent and minimize the risk of virus transmission inside prisons. 

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Select resources for Dominica:

Governance and the Rule of Law:

The Caribbean Community. (2020, July 13). Caribbean Community Successfully Keeps Low COVID-19 Infection Rates. https://caricom.org/news-feature-caribbean-community-successfully-keeps-low-COVID-19-infection-rates/.

Caribbean National Weekly. (2020, September 7). Dominica Schools Reopen with PM Urging Stakeholders to Follow Guidelines. https://www.caribbeannationalweekly.com/caribbean-breaking-news-featured/dominica-schools-reopen-with-pm-urging-stakeholders-to-follow-guidelines/.

————. (2021, February 1). Dominica Prime Minister Says COVID-19 Vaccine Will Not Be Mandatory. https://www.caribbeannationalweekly.com/caribbean-breaking-news-featured/dominica-prime-minister-says-covid-19-vaccine-will-not-be-mandatory/.

Caribbean News Now. (2021, January 18). PAHO Director Commends Dominica For Its COVID-19 Response. https://thecaribbeannewsnow.com/paho-director-commends-dominica-for-its-covid-19-response/.

Caricom Today. (2021, February 12). India donating 500,000 COVID-19 vaccines to Caribbean. https://today.caricom.org/2021/02/09/india-donating-500000-covid-19-vaccines-to-caribbean/.

————. (2021, February 15). Dominica PM says receipt of COVID-19 vaccine signals start of fightback. https://today.caricom.org/2021/02/10/dominica-pm-says-receipt-of-covid-19-vaccine-signals-start-of-fightback/.

Dominica News Online. (2021, March 2). Dominica’s health minister ‘pleased’ with public turnout for COVID vaccination. https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/covid-19/dominicas-health-minister-pleased-with-public-turnout-for-covid-vaccination/.

Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica. (n.d.). Commonwealth of Dominica Coronavirus COVID-19 Report. http://dominica.gov.dm/corona.

Hoffman, B. (2021, March 31). The Caribbean’s skilful vaccine diplomacy. International Politics and Society. https://www.ips-journal.eu/topics/foreign-and-security-policy/the-caribbeans-skilful-vaccine-diplomacy-5084/.

Loop News. (2021, February 11). Dominica ramps up its fight against COVID with vaccines from India. https://www.loopnewscaribbean.com/content/dominica-ramps-its-fight-against-covid-vaccines-india.

Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries. (2021, March 29). PAHO update: 32 countries and territories in the Americas have detected infection by one of three ‘variants of concern.’ Pan American Health Organization. https://www.paho.org/en/documents/ecc-covid-19-situation-update-126-29-march-2021.

Organization of Eastern Caribbean States. (2020, June 21).  Statement by the OECS on the Recent Escalation of United States Action Toward the Republic of Cuba. https://pressroom.oecs.org/statement-by-the-organisation-of-eastern-caribbean-states-oecs-on-the-recent-escalation-of-united-states-action-toward-the-republic-of-cuba.

U.S. Embassy in Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean, and the OECS. (14 de abril de 2021). Eastern Caribbean COVID-19 Status: Dominica. Department of State. Western Hemisphere Affairs. https://bb.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/covid-19-information/.

World Health Organization. (2021, February 18). WHO and donors continue to provide critical support to countries fighting COVID-19. https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/who-and-donors-continue-to-provide-critical-support-to-countries-fighting-covid-19.

Growth and Innovation:

Caribbean National Weekly. (2020, October 19). Dominica PM Pleased with Progress on Plans for International Airport. https://www.caribbeannationalweekly.com/caribbean-breaking-news-featured/dominica-pm-pleased-with-progress-on-plans-for-international-airport/.

————. (2020, December 10). Dominica’s Tourism Officials Say Island Has Had 4,000 Visitors Since July. https://www.caribbeannationalweekly.com/caribbean-breaking-news-featured/dominicas-tourism-officials-say-island-has-had-4000-visitors-since-july/.

Cision PR Newswire. (2020, July 17). Dominica Welcomes Tourists from August 7 and Announces Entry Protocol. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dominica-welcomes-tourists-from-august-7-and-announces-entry-protocols-301095722.html.

Dominica News Online. (2021, March 16). Dominica’s ‘Safe in Nature’ program dubbed a success. https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/dominicas-safe-in-nature-program-dubbed-a-success/.

————. (2021, March 29). Dominica’s private sector encouraged to unite in combatting COVID-19; told there’s no one solution. https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/dominicas-private-encouraged-to-unite-in-combatting-covid-19-told-theres-no-one-solution/.

Dunkley-Malcolm, J. (2020, September 16). PM Skerrit to further engage stakeholders on reopening of Dominica for cruise travel. CARICOM Today. https://today.caricom.org/2020/09/16/pm-skerrit-to-further-engage-stakeholders-on-reopening-of-dominica-for-cruise-travel/.

Nagle Myers, G. (2020, September 15). Covid causes cancellation of more Caribbean festivals. Travel Weekly. https://www.travelweekly.com/Caribbean-Travel/Covid-causes-cancellation-of-more-Caribbean-events.

Organization of Eastern Caribbean States. (2020, July 7). World Bank Provides US $16.4 Million for Agricultural Livelihoods and Climate Resilience in Dominica. https://pressroom.oecs.org/world-bank-provides-us164-million-for-agricultural-livelihoods-and-climate-resilience-in-dominica.

————. (2020, July 10). Caribbean Unveils Initiatives to Support Reopening Tourism. https://pressroom.oecs.org/caribbean-unveils-initiatives-to-support-reopening-tourism.

World Bank. (2021, March 18). World Bank Approves US$25 Million Credit for Dominica’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2021/03/18/world-bank-approves-us-25-million-credit-for-dominica-s-covid-19-response-and-recovery.

Social and Cultural Inclusion:

The Caribbean Community. (2020, May 30). Fighting COVID-19 in Prisons: CARICOM IMPACS and the United Kingdom Partner to Support Dominica Prison. https://caricom.org/fighting-COVID-19-in-prisons-caricom-impacs-and-the-united-kingdom-partner-to-support-dominica-prison/.

Dominica News Online. (2021, March 1). New strategies for Community Tourism in light of COVID pandemic. https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/new-strategies-for-community-tourism-in-light-of-covid-pandemic/.

————. (2021, March 11). Free face masks and other COVID-19 supplies for schools thanks to two Dominican businessmen. https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/homepage-carousel/free-face-masks-and-other-covid-19-supplies-for-schools-thanks-to-two-dominican-businessmen/.

————. (2021, April 15). Bus drivers to receive stimulus package as fellow bus driver contemplates legal action. https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/bus-drivers-to-receive-stimulus-package-as-fellow-bus-driver-contemplates-legal-action/.

Nurse, M. (2020, June 29). First-Time Financing by World Bank for Digital Economy in Eastern Caribbean Approved for US$94M. CARICOM Today. https://today.caricom.org/2020/06/23/first-time-financing-by-world-bank-for-digital-economy-in-eastern-caribbean-approved-for-us94m/.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (2020, March 29). The Caribbean SIDS Determined Against COVID-19. UNESCO Cluster Office for the Caribbean. https://en.unesco.org/news/caribbean-sids-determined-against-COVID-19.

————. (n.d.). Education Response to COVID-19 in the Caribbean. UNESCO Cluster Office for the Caribbean.  https://en.unesco.org/node/324558.

United Nations Women. (2020, June 2). Cultivating Change: Women Farmers in Dominica Find New Paths to Market Amidst COVID-19 Shutdowns. https://reliefweb.int/report/dominica/cultivating-change-women-farmers-dominica-find-new-paths-market-amidst-COVID-19.

World Bank. (2020, September). Caribbean Digital Transformation Project. https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/document-detail/P171528.