Puerto Rico: Authorities further ease COVID-19 restrictions from June 16 /update 2

Event

Puerto Rican authorities have introduced further relaxations on restrictions implemented to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), many of which came into effect on Tuesday, June 16. From Tuesday, the nightly curfew has been adjusted from 19:00-05:00 (local time) to 22:00-05:00. Cinemas, gyms, and most other businesses have been allowed to resume operating, including dine-in restaurants at 50 percent capacity. Beaches and churches have also fully reopened. However, social distancing rules and the requirement to wear masks in public will continue.

As of July 15, the country also fully plans to reopen to external tourism. On arrival, all travelers will still be subject to health screenings but authorities are working on relaxing current 14-day quarantine requirements for those with a negative COVID-19 test result. Further measures ensuring the safety of the resumption of tourism activities are expected to be announced before or on July 1.

As of Thursday, June 18, there have been 6111 reported cases of COVID-19 in Puerto Rico, with 147 associated deaths. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected over the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.