As COVID-19 cases continue to drop in Puerto Rico, Governor Pierluisi announced new updates for entry and on-island requirements, starting Wednesday, Feb. 2nd.
To understand list of what’s in place locally in Puerto Rico, below you will find what measures are changing and which ones are still in effect, for easy reference.
Entry requirements for passengers arriving on domestic flights:
Current: All passengers must present proof of vaccination and a negative test from the last 48 hours. Unvaccinated travelers, must, in addition to testing, quarantine for 7 days.
What’s changing on Feb. 2nd: Vaccinated passengers will not need to present a negative test to enter the destination. Unvaccinated travelers who present a negative test from the 2 days prior will not be required to quarantine.
Passengers who arrive on domestic flights without a test:
Current: All passengers, regardless of vaccination status, have 48 hours to take a test, or be subject to fines. Passengers must quarantine while they wait for the test results. If the test comes back negative, vaccinated passengers can stop quarantining, and unvaccinated passengers must continue to do so for 7 days after their arrival. If the test comes back positive, passengers must be isolated for 10 days.
What’s changing on Feb. 2nd: Vaccinated passengers will not need to take a test. Unvaccinated passengers will have 48 hours to take a test, or be subject to fines. Passengers must quarantine while they wait for the test results. If the test comes back negative, unvaccinated passengers can stop quarantining immediately. If the test comes back positive, passengers must be isolated for 10 days. Those who do not test within the 48-hour window must quarantine for 7 days.
On-Island Business Closures:
Current: All business will close between midnight and 5 a.m. Alcohol sale is also prohibited between midnight and 5 a.m.
What’s changing on Feb. 2nd: There will be no mandatory closures or restrictions on alcohol sales.
On-Island Business Capacity Restrictions
Current: All restaurants, bars, theaters, and other establishments that serve food and drinks can operate at a 50 percent capacity for indoor operations and at 75 percent capacity for outdoor operations.
What’s changing on Feb. 2nd: Establishments whose primary business is to serve food will operate at 75 percent capacity for indoor operations and at full capacity for outdoor operations. Bars and venues that primarily serve alcohol will operate at 50 percent capacity.
Large Scale Events:
Current: All mass events, both indoor and outdoor, will have a capacity of 250 people as long as this is equal or lower to 50 percent capacity if indoors or 75 percent if outdoors.
What’s changing on Feb. 2nd: Venues for mass events will limit capacity to 50 percent but will no longer be required to stay under 250 attendees.
Other measures still in effect and not modified:
- All travelers arriving on international flights must present a negative COVID-19 test (either antigen or PCR) taken within one day prior to departure along with proof of vaccination.
- All establishments serving food or drinks must require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test (either antigen or PCR performed by an authorized health provider) taken 48 hours prior to arrival.
- Those attending large-scale events (both indoors and outdoors) will be required to present proof of vaccination or a negative test taken 2 days prior to the event.
- Those entering any of the island’s three open airports, whether on commercial or private aircraft, are required to fill out a Travel Declaration Form on the Puerto Rico Health Department’s online portal, which produces a QR code to proceed.
For more information, visit discoverpuertorico.com/info/travel-guidelines.
The Turks & Caicos has also updated their entry requirements, as has England, Spain, The Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis.
