Twenty-four hours before the elections all public meetings and demonstrations of a political nature will be banned.

Cameras and phones are banned in the polling centers. There will be no cameras or cell phones permitted during the voting.

The sale of alcoholic beverages will be prohibited to ensure proper behavior of the voters. According to Law from 24 hours before the election and 3 hours after the end of the voting no one can dispense or distribute alcoholic beverages. So from Saturday at 9:00 am to Sunday at 9:00 pm parties are banned from selling alcoholic beverages. Voting will start at 6:00 am and conclude at 6:00 pm.

The military police assure all that all the polling stations nationwide will be safe and secure.

The JCE president reiterated that the results of voting would be announced the night of the civic event

Here in Dominican Republic the weekend of Easter is one of the biggest travel weekends. Most people leave the cities and go to the beaches, rivers or just get away and visit family. The roads are full. The hotels and resorts are full. The people are partying full force. Hospitals and Emergency stations are full. It can be a fun time but it can also be a little dangerous if you do not take precautions.

The Dominican Civil Defense/ Defensa Civil Republica Dominicana will be stationed throughout the country with the participation six thousand workers and more than eight thousand volunteers in over 1400 strategic locations. They will be watching beaches, rivers and highways to make sure the big weekend runs smoothly. When you see the orange jump suits they are there for your safety and protection. If you have any problems please go to one of these stations. They are there to help and assist.

Many of the more dangerous beaches and rivers will be closed for the holiday to ensure the publics safety. There will be 23 closings in the Province of Santo Domingo, 1 in the National District, 12 in Santiago de los Caballeros, 6 in the provincias Espaillat y Santiago Rodríguez, 3 in Montecristi, 23 in San Pedro de Macorís, 8 in the Valverde Mao providence, 4 in La Romana, 3 in Nagua, 8 in Samaná y Sánchez Ramírez, 11 in Monseñor Nouel, 14 in Peravia, 9 in San Cristóbal and Villa Altagracia, 13 in Monte Plata, 8 in Barahona, 4 in Azua and 7 in the Province of San Juan de la Maguana.

For a complete list of beach and other places of importance closings visit: www.defensacivil.gov.do – listado-de-puestos-playas-y-carreteras in PDF form.

Remember there are restrictions according to Resolution No. 96/2012.
*Jet Skis and Wave Runners, Motorized Boats, Horses, Motorbikes, and Motorized Vehicles are NOT permitted on the beaches in the entire country from Thursday April 5 to Sunday April 8.
*There will be NO boats used in
-Laguna Gri Gri in Rio San Juan
-The Sanoa Island
-Catalina Island
-Cayo Levantado Island

*Heavy equipment vehicles are prohibited to be on highways from 6AM Thursday until 6AM Monday.

*There will be a curfew of 5:45PM for swimmers to get out of the water daily on public beaches.

*Many places have a ban on loud music for the weekend. Inside businesses it is OK but the noise is not permitted to weft outside. This is not enforced like it used to be but it still happens in many locations.

Make sure to get your Habichuelas con Dulce/ Sweet Beans (one version of the recipe for Habichuelas con Dulce). This is the favorite Semana Santa treat. A little Colmado on Calle Duarte and Luperon in Colonial Zone usually sells it in plastic cups. You can also get the ice cream version at Helados Bon.

Remember the reason for all the celebration is to remember Holy Week known as Semana Santa in Dominican Republic. There are many things happening in the churches, whatever religion, country wide. Try and visit one during this time to remember why we celebrate this time.

This is a video I took on You Tube of one of the Prosessions during Semana Santa in Colonial Zone. It is dark but I tried to lighten it a little. The link will open in a new window.

The damage is not that severe and no deaths have been reported, thank God for this. But the different damage reports are still trickling in and after shocks are still happening.

Three schools have reported damages to their structures. These structural cracks will not cause a problem for the school children when school resumes after the holidays are over. They are repairing the cracks so all will be safe for the kids return to school.

There is news also reported that there are some cracks in the roads and some landslides which are causing some travel problems. The raods are still passable but people have to take turns using the one open lane to get past the problem areas.

The road between Bani and Ocoa.(A friend sent me this picture. I do not know where it came from. if there are any problems with this picture please email me credit information and I will be happy to post it.)

It is also believed that this terremoto was the end of the world. Even though the earthquake that happened about 50 years ago was stronger this one caused much fear. Now there are more tall buildings and more people. The buildings that were 2 stories or more suffered the most damage.

We had another Temblor del Terra at 6:02PM . It registered 4.6 in the Richter Scale/ Escala de Ritcher, and was at a depth of 37.7 miles (60.7 km ).
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0007gps.php

The The Emergency Operation Center/ Centro de Operaciones de Emergencias (COE) says that people in the area of the quakes need to keep vigilant as there will probably be more shaking coming.

I will post again in the morning unless something extraordinary happens, which I hope and pray nothing happens. I hope the earth decides to settle down and give all a rest after a very frightening and difficult day. Even though there was not much damage and people are all fine. It is very frightening when you are woken by shaking. If you ever were in an Earthquake you will know that the shaking is so unreal. After, even if you know you are safe, you still have a fear inside. I hope all those who are afraid can rest well this night.

Please, if this strike does happen, stay close to home this day just to be safe. Do not plan a road trip. Sometimes taxis, buses and many businesses close. Some to honor the strike and others because the employees cannot get to work.

They want some laws reformed and changed including
*Ley de Hidrocarburos/ Law of Hydrocarbons to reduce fuel prices and the electricity tariff increase.
*Allocation of 4% of national budget to go to the education sector.
*Delivery of 5% for the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD)and for it not to be privatized.
*A comprehensive plan to combat crime and insecurity.
*Pay more attention to the productive sectors of the country. *Cancel the countries contract Barrick Gold.
*Salary increase for the public and private sector.
*Lower the price of food and medications.

According to the Foro the strike is supported union groups, community organizations and the majority of the Dominican people.

http://www.ensegundos.net/2011/11/empleados-de-la-uasd-hacen-llamado-a-huelga-para-el-lunes-14-y-piden-aumento-salarial-de-un-60/

There will be between 250 to 300 police working around the clock in three 8 hour shifts. All will be getting special training. This new security team includes the Policía Nacional/ National Police, la Autoridad Metropolitana de Transporte (Amet)/ The Metropolitan Transport Authority, la Policía Turística/ the Tourist Police and la Policía Municipal/ the Municipal Police.

Mayor Salcedo said that “se aúnan esfuerzos para consolidar una estructura de seguridad que garantice, tanto al turista, como al visitante, que nada habrá de ocurrirle, que podrán transitar libremente”. / “joining forces to build a security structure that ensures both the tourist and visitors that nothing will happen, they can move freely.”

They also said that they will be repairing the lighting that is out of service, stop parking on sidewalks and where it is prohibited and limit access for heavy vehicles. They will be enforcing a plan to make the Colonial City safe for tourists and residents alike. After this new plan is implemented they are going to take this to other parts of the country as well. Trying to make the country safer for all.

Lets hope this happens fast and that the much needed security for the Zona Colonial is finally a real happening. That all can go out whether it be day or night and feel safe in this historic city.