As one of the most widely observed religious and recreational periods in the region approaches, the Dominican Ministry of the Interior and Police (MIP) has rolled out a comprehensive suite of security regulations designed to protect public safety across high-traffic tourist and leisure hubs during Holy Week 2026.
Through official Resolution MIP-RR-0001-2026, the MIP has enacted targeted restrictions on large-scale gatherings and high-risk activities that are common during the week-long holiday. The regulatory framework covers a range of crowd-focused activities, setting clear rules for sound amplification equipment use, temporary public structure installation, and group alcohol consumption in public spaces.
The most notable restriction imposed by the resolution is a full ban on all mass gatherings for parties, whether publicly organized or private, across coastal beaches, rivers, streams, and surrounding resort areas. The temporary structure ban also applies to these same zones, and both restrictions will remain in effect from March 29 through April 5, 2026, covering the full span of Holy Week celebrations.
Additional rules include a complete prohibition on the sale of alcoholic beverages across the country on Good Friday, a key solemn day of reflection for observant believers. To guarantee full compliance with the new resolution, MIP has formally directed two specialized state bodies—the Dominican National Police and the Directorate for the Control of Alcohol Sales (COBA)—to carry out regular patrols and enforcement actions throughout the holiday period.
In an official statement justifying the new measures, MIP emphasized that unregulated large parties held in open public spaces often create avoidable risks to community safety. These events, which typically feature loud music, large crowds, and widespread alcohol consumption, frequently disrupt public order, impede local transportation and mobility, and erode peaceful citizen coexistence in popular recreational areas. The new regulatory package is crafted to mitigate these risks, balancing the public’s desire for holiday leisure with the need to maintain safety and order for residents and visitors alike.