Puerto Rico updates its rules
As from Thursday, September 2, Puerto Rico’s new rules call for masks to be worn in all indoor and enclosed spaces, and outdoors where there is a gathering of more than 50 people. It should be noted that this rule applies to everyone, regardless of vaccination status.
As for businesses, they are required to close between midnight and 5 am, seven days a week. However, 24-hour pharmacies can remain open and restaurants in hotels are allowed to continue to operate within those hours.
The latest executive order builds onto existing health and safety measures introduced in Puerto Rico, designed to manage the pandemic and keep both visitors and locals safe.
Rules applying to accommodation
From August 17, it has been required that guests staying in paid accommodation across the island, including hotels, paradores, guest houses and short-term rentals like Vrbo and Airbnb, must provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result, taken within three days of checking in.
Any guests staying for longer than seven days are requested to present negative test results on a weekly basis. Those who refuse to comply with the new rules could potentially face a $5,000 fine or six months behind bars.
Visiting restaurants and bars
Puerto Rico now seeks proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result from people who wish to dine or drink indoors. That new ruling also started in August and applies to restaurants, bars, cafés and other enclosed spaces serving food and drinks. Any businesses that don’t check patrons’ COVID-19 status at the door are required to reduce their indoor capacity to 50 percent of the norm.
Other public spaces
The same rule applies to other enclosed public spaces, including theaters, cinemas, museums and convention centers.
Delta variant is a game changer
In May this year, the US territory had removed its testing requirements for fully vaccinated US travelers and had reduced local restrictions, in order to boost tourism on the Caribbean island. However, the Delta variant has led to a spike in infections, which has prompted the government to increase its vaccination requirements as a first line of defense against COVID-19.
What is required of Americans visiting Puerto Rico?
When planning on flying to Puerto Rico, fully vaccinated US travelers are required to upload their COVID-19 vaccination card to the Puerto Rico Health Department’s online portal prior to boarding their flight. They will then receive a QR code, to be scanned on arrival at the airport.
Unvaccinated travelers must provide proof of a negative PCR or antigen test, taken within 3 days of travel.
International travelers
Other international travelers, whether vaccinated or not, are also required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test. Incoming and outgoing passengers can get PCR tests at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport for around $110 per test. Discover Puerto Rico reports that unvaccinated travelers also have the option of receiving the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine in Terminal B at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport.
Meanwhile, all travelers, wherever they are coming from, are required to complete the Traveler Declaration form.
Current CDC status of Puerto Rico
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently has Puerto Rico listed as Level 4: Very High Level of COVID-19. The CDC recommends that travelers avoid non-essential travel to the US territory.
Readers can find more information about Puerto Rico’s travel guidelines on the Discover Puerto Rico official website.
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