An Update of Puerto Rico’s Status During the COVID-19 Pandemic
by: Jorge Marín
Puerto Rico has been steadily returning to normal since the COVID-19 pandemic began, although the journey has been bumpy due to a few spikes of infections happening throughout the year. The biggest spike of the year was in April with 1,091 cases, then it started going down, until it peaked again in August with 992 cases. The steady decline was helped in part by the strict COVID-19 mask mandates. Puerto Rico has mandated the requirement of face masks indoors and in public schools, no matter the person’s vaccination status.[1] (The New York TImes, 2021) and as of mid-October, the monthly average of deaths dropped down to around 10 deaths a week.[2] (John Hopkins University & Medicine, N.D.)
In turn, hospitalizations due to COVID-19 infections are going down as well. Municipalities in Puerto Rico have taken steps to enforce safety protocols in public spaces. People attending public organized events must show evidence of vaccination in order to have 100% capacity. Restaurants and movie theaters are also asking for evidence of vaccination, otherwise customers will not be allowed to enter their establishments. And although there have been situations with a few people who are against the mandates, most people are generally following the rules, which has helped bring down the spread of the infection on the island. All businesses must be closed as well from midnight to 5am, with gas stations and pharmacies being excluded from this rule.[3] (Discover Puerto Rico, N.D.)
It is recommended that people interested in visiting the island of Puerto Rico be fully vaccinated before arriving. Those that are not vaccinated when arriving to the island will have to follow additional procedures. They will have to get tested 1 to 3 days before their trip to the island and provide evidence of testing. Those that arrive on the island without testing will need to take an Antigen or PCR Molecular COVID-19 test on the island within 48 hours, otherwise they will be fined $300. The visitor must then be quarantined until the results of their testing arrive. These travel restrictions may have helped curb the infection on the island.[4] (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021)
Although some restaurants and stores are opening using special work hours and implementing COVID-19 Protocols, most places are back to status quo and fully open for business. Our center, Seafarers House San Juan, has had the pleasure of reopening our doors to visiting seafarers after over a year being in hiatus, albeit at a limited capacity until things fully return to normal. A more positive update on the conditions that Puerto Rico is in might be in our future if the safety rules continue to be implemented and the people keep following the mandates.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, N.D. N.D.). COVID-19 in Puerto Rico. Retrieved from CDC Center for Disease Control and Prevention: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/covid-4/coronavirus-puerto-rico, searched on October 15, 2021.
Discover Puerto Rico. (N.D., N.D. N.D.). Travel Guidelines. Retrieved from Discover Puerto Rico: https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/info/travel-guidelines, searched on October 15, 2021.
John Hopkins University & Medicine. (N.D., N.D. N.D.). Puerto Rico State Overview Coronavirus Resource Center. Retrieved from John Hopkins University & Medicine, searched on October 15, 2021: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/region/us/puerto-rico
The New York TImes. (2021, October 12). Tracking Coronavirus in Puerto Rico: Latest Map and Case Count. Retrieved from The New York Times on October 15, 2021: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/puerto-rico-covid-cases.html
[1] Tracking Coronavirus in Puerto Rico: Latest Map and Case Count
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/puerto-rico-covid-cases.html
[2] Puerto Rico State Overview: Coronavirus Resource Center
https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/region/us/puerto-rico
[3] Travel Guidelines
https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/info/travel-guidelines
[4] COVID-19 In Puerto Rico
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/covid-4/coronavirus-puerto-rico