Puerto Rico reopens tourism with safety measures

Saturday, July 18, 2020

Puerto Rico has finally opened up for tourism and welcomed back tourists on July 15 as a part of its four-phased reopening plan. However, all health and safety measures continue to remain in place and all tourists need to adhere to the same. Following the latest action, Puerto Rico will join the expanding list of Caribbean islands opening up for tourism.

Contrary to many countries across the globe, Rico never closed its borders to the citizens of the United States, or foreign nationals who had not been to Iran, China, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Brazil, or any of the European Schengen area in the previous 14 days. During all this time, a 14-day quarantine rule was applied on anyone who was flying into Puerto Rico, along with other stringent lockdown measures, which also signified that tourists were discouraged from visiting the island.

According to reports, Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vázquez recently announced that travellers who can show negative COVID-19 test results, which were obtained 72 hours prior to arrival, will not be required to undergo quarantine from now on. Anyone entering Puerto Rico on or after July 15 will be required to provide proof of negative molecular tests, obtained 72 hours prior to arrival. No other type of test will be accepted, including the antibody ones, which requires a blood drawn or a finger stick. In addition, travellers will also have to submit travel declaration form provided by the Puerto Rico Health Department.

Any individual who do not have test results available, or test positive, or refuse to submit to testing upon arrival, will be required to undergo quarantine for 14 days. They will also have to bear the expenses of their own medical and extended stay. Referring to this, Puerto Rico Health Secretary Lorenzo Gonzalez said that anyone who wishes to be released from quarantine will be required to undergo a molecular test and share the negative results with the government.

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