Puerto Rico Eases COVID-19 Entry Requirements and Mandates

If you’re looking for a getaway to warn weather and sunny beaches, there’s good news coming out of Puerto Rico. The island’s governor announced this week that he is ending most COVID-19 entry requirements and regulations.

Domestic travelers no longer need to present proof of vaccination or a negative coronavirus test or fill out a previously required form. Masks are no longer required either for most indoor or outdoor venues. The change takes effect today, Thursday, with a few exceptions. Face masks will still be required in health facilities and nursing homes. Gov. Pedro Pierluisi also will lift all capacity restrictions at public and private businesses and said proof of vaccination to enter will no longer be required.

Officials still recommend that people continue to wear masks indoors when the vaccination status of others is unknown. Travelers will also still need to wear a mask on their flight to Puerto Rico because the U.S. federal mask mandate is in effect until at least March 18.

The U.S. territory of 3.2 million people has reported a 4% positivity rate over the last week. That a huge drop from 40% reported during the holiday season. Puerto Rico also has a high vaccination rate when compared to the US average. More than 95% of people have received a first vaccine dose, 86% are fully vaccinated, and more than 50% have received a booster shot.

So far, Puerto Rico has more than 267,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 4,000 COVID-19 fatalities.