COE extends the hours for the use of beaches and resorts to 7:00 p.m.

Santo Domingo — The director of the Emergency Operations Center (COE), General Juan Manuel Méndez, announced this Friday afternoon the extension of the hours for the use of beaches and spas allowed this Holy Week.

During a tour of the Boca Chica beach, Méndez informed that as of this Holy Saturday, bathers traveling in different parts of the country will be able to enjoy the various beaches and spas until 7:00 pm.

This measure would mean more work for the COE and the other relief agencies, however, these have been instructed by President Abinader to accompany the population that has decided to travel to spend the Holy Week holiday, said the official.

COE reports five deaths in first bulletin for Semana Santa
“Starting tomorrow Saturday, Saturday of glory, the hours on beaches and permitted spas will be extended until 7:00 at night, that is to say that the force engaged will have a little more of the work, but yes the population can be accompanied and cared for by all of us,” he said.

Closed bathing resorts
For this Easter Week, 266 bathing resorts and beaches were closed for representing a high risk for human life during Easter Week 2025.

Of the total number of resorts closed for the holiday, Santo Domingo province tops the list with 36, followed by San José de Ocoa with 24, La Altagracia with 21 and Santiago with 16.

The Operativo Conciencia por la Vida Semana Santa 2025 began on Holy Thursday with the displacement of almost 50 thousand members of 22 institutions that are part of the COE.

The COE has established a prevention and road safety device on the main roads and highways, as well as on beaches and permitted resorts, which will end on Easter Sunday at 6:00 pm.

The objective is to prevent drownings, traffic accidents and alcohol and food intoxication, as well as to assist the population in case of any emergency on the highways.

Deaths on the first day of the operation
The COE reported five deaths in its first bulletin of the Easter Week 2025 Operation, of which four died in traffic accidents and one by asphyxiation by immersion in a closed beach resort in the province of Montecristi.

In addition, there were 25 traffic accidents, which left 26 people affected.

22 accidents involved motorcycles
2 involved light vehicles
1 involved a pickup truck
These accidents occurred on 11 roads and 14 urban areas.