07 Dec 2021 | 12:58 PM UTC
Puerto Rico: Authorities slightly tighten COVID-19-related international travel restrictions as of early December /update 33
Puerto Rico tightens COVID-19-related international travel restrictions as of early December. Other domestic restrictions remain in place.
Event
Authorities in Puerto Rico have issued orders slightly tightening the requirements for individuals entering the island as of Dec. 7 due to COVID-19. Regardless of vaccination status or the place they are traveling from, all travelers must complete a Travel Declaration Form before departure. The requirement used to be in place only for unvaccinated travelers.
International Travel Restrictions
Additionally, travelers must follow the federal requirements for travel from outside the US and US territories: most nonresident foreign nationals must be fully vaccinated to enter Puerto Rico and must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test, PCR or antigen, taken within 24 hours before the departure to Puerto Rico. Fully vaccinated individuals traveling from a US state or territory must not provide a COVID-19 test to enter Puerto Rico; however, unvaccinated travelers entering from another US state or territory do have to provide a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure to the island.
Travelers are not required to take an additional test upon arrival, but authorities at the airport randomly select 100 travelers daily to perform a COVID-19 test.
Domestic Measures
Officials require all individuals to wear a facemask in indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status. Wearing a facemask is also mandatory in outdoor public spaces where 50 or more people are present. Venues for mass events can open without capacity limits if all attendees are fully vaccinated; such venues can open at 50 percent capacity if they only require attendees to show proof of a negative result from a COVID-19 test.
Additionally, proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result is necessary for all individuals accessing services at gyms, casinos, spas, barbershops, restaurants, bars, theaters, and cinemas, as well as guests planning to stay in hotels or short-term rentals. Those who opt to provide a negative test result should do so using either a PCR or antigen test taken within 72 hours before entry/check-in. Proof of recovery from COVID-19 within the previous three-month period is also acceptable. All individuals attending events with 500 or more people must also present either proof of full vaccination or a negative result from a COVID-19 antigen test taken no earlier than 24 hours before the event starts.
Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.
Advice
Follow all official instructions. Reconfirm all travel arrangements and business appointments. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.
