President Luis Abinader made the announcement in an address to the nation, carried by all government social media channels.

Abinader said the onus would now be on individuals to take care and responsibility for themselves and others without restrictions.

He added that after a "long battle", the country and its people would now embark on a journey to "recover their freedom".

Key changes include scrapping any remaining mask mandates, easing social distancing rules and ending vaccine pass requirements.

Abinader, though, said the government would continue to monitor and observe the situation, and stressed the country’s health system was equipped to deal with any resurgence in Covid.

The Foreign Office acknowledged the changes in an update to its travel advice for the country on Thursday (17 February).

"Dominican authorities [have] announced that, with immediate effect, all Covid-19 measures are suspended, including mask wearing, social distancing and proof of vaccination for public spaces and private spaces for public use," said the FCDO.

UK travellers fully vaccinated against Covid-19 with at least two doses of vaccine, providing the latter is administered at least two weeks prior to travel, are exempt from having to test negative up to 72 hours prior to arrival.

Those not fully vaccinated must continue to test negative prior to travel – both PCR and antigen tests are acceptable. Passengers under the age of seven are exempt from the testing rules.

All arrivals will have their temperature taken, while a small randomly selected proportion of travellers will be asked to take a rapid diagnostic breath test.