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Guide to Completing the Puerto Rico Travel Declaration Form

Updated: March 10, 2022

Following Governor Pedro Pierluisi’s executive order on March 7, all travelers — domestic and international — will no longer need to complete the travel declaration form. For updated information on the elimination of pandemic-era protocols in Puerto Rico, click here .

Puerto Rico was recently announced as the most vaccinated place in the U.S., so suffice it to say that it takes safety seriously amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In efforts to keep both travelers and locals safe, all passengers entering Puerto Rico are required to complete the Travel Declaration Form and present a negative test, regardless of vaccination status.

From February 2nd, vaccinated travelers arriving in Puerto Rico on domestic flights will no longer have to present a negative COVID-19 test on arrival. Unvaccinated visitors are still required to present a negative test, taken within 48 hours of landing, but they will only need to quarantine until they receive a negative test result. International travelers will need to take a COVID test within one day of departure. Note that unvaccinated travelers arriving from a domestic or international destination without a molecular or antigen test may incur a $300 fine, which can be waived if the person provides a negative test or proof of a test performed within 48 hours of arrival in Puerto Rico.

Steps to complete Puerto Rico’s online travel entry form

The form is available through the Puerto Rico Health Department’s online “TRAVELSAFE” portal , which details other important health-related information regarding travel to the U.S. territory. Click on the link to the form, log in or create a “TRAVELSAFE” account if you are filling out the form for the first time.

After registering, a written notice details Puerto Rico’s travel requirements and assures that the requested information will be kept confidential. In addition to all adults traveling to the U.S. territory completing the declaration form, dependent minors’ information must be entered in the same form as the adult(s) they are traveling with. 

For minors traveling without an adult, their supervising adult must complete the travel declaration form before they fly or board a ferry to Puerto Rico.

The Puerto Rico health department emphasized just how important travelers’ collaboration is to keep the island safe. 

Everything you need to register online 

Once you click “Continue,” you will be required to enter your name, gender, date of birth, contact information and language preference (Spanish or English). Come prepared with your passport or driver’s license to complete the next few steps of the process, which will also ask where you reside. 

Additionally, the registration will inquire whether you are vaccinated against COVID-19. If you received the inoculation, for this step you will need to provide proof of vaccination status when your profile is created.

When registration is complete, you enter your “TRAVELSAFE” account, which will give you options to “Add New Trip” or “Manage Trips.” 

The form for new trips will ask for the form of transportation (plane or ferry), arrival date, departure date (if applicable), purpose of visit, length of trip, place of stay, among other information.

Questions like “Do you have COVID-19 symptoms?” and “In the past 14 days, have you been in contact with a person that tested positive to COVID-19?” are also on the form. The form will prompt you to identify any symptoms such as fever, chills, cough or diarrhea. It will also ask for the exposure date if you came in contact with someone COVID-positive. Once you have completed the questionnaire, you can manage your trips in your “TRAVELSAFE” account. 

For vaccinated travelers

If you are fully vaccinated, then in the upper right corner in your “TRAVELSAFE” home page, you will see a drop-down menu that shows “Vaccine.” Here is where you will update your vaccine information, including type, 1st and 2nd COVID-19 dose, as well as an option to upload a copy of your vaccination card. JPEG or PDF file formats are accepted. 

According to the Puerto Rico health department, people are fully vaccinated when it has been at least two weeks after the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or sole dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. 

For unvaccinated travelers

As with all passengers, any person over two years old who is not fully vaccinated must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours prior to their arrival on the island. Passengers arriving in Puerto Rico without a COVID-19 test result will be issued a $300 fine. But if the traveler provides proof of a test within 48 hours of arrival, then the fine will be waived. Unvaccinated travelers will need to quarantine pending a negative COVID-19 test.

For a list of facilities that offer COVID-19 testing, visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website on community-based sites.

Most restaurants and activities on the island are now asking for proof of vaccination cards. 

Other travel-related FAQs

If you need more information or have additional questions regarding Puerto Rico’s travel and entry requirements, the government’s travel help center can be reached by phone (939-592-5115) or email ( [email protected] ).

See our full guide on Puerto Rico’s travel protocols, safety restrictions and COVID-19 updates for further details ahead of your trip.

Final checklist

Whether you are travelling internationally or domestically, we have you covered. These infographic outline what you need to know and do ahead of arriving to Puerto Rico.

Domestic Travelers

Click for full view.

International Travelers

Click on either image to download a PDF version and find out more on how you can travel safely.

Before You Fly + Travel Updates

THE LATEST NEWS

Travel updates, us entry requirements per cdc, new entry requirements for air travel into the united states, starting on november 8, non-citizen, non-immigrant air travelers to the united states will be required to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of covid-19 vaccination status alongside their negative test result prior to boarding an airplane to fly to the u.s..

WHO DOES THIS AFFECT?

• Category 1: US Citizens, US Nationals, Lawful Permanent Residents, Immigrants
• Category 2: Non US-Citizens, Non-US Nations, Nonimmigrants

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW?

Category 1:

• Fully Vaccinated US Citizens, US Nationals, Lawful Permanent Residents, and Immigrants: need to produce a negative COVID-19 test result within three days of travel.
• Unvaccinated US Citizens, US Nationals, Lawful Permanent Residents, and Immigrants: will now need to produce a negative COVID-19 test result within one day of departure.

Category 2:

• Non-US-Citizens, Non-US Nations, Nonimmigrants: Need to provide proof of full vaccination status with an official document that was issued by an official source in the country where the vaccine was given and match the name and date of birth to the passenger. Also need to produce a negative COVID-19 test result within three days of travel.

WHAT QUALIFIES AS BEING FULLY VACCINATED?

You are considered fully vaccinated:

• 2 weeks (14 days) after an accepted single-dose vaccine
• 2 weeks (14 days) after your second dose of an accepted 2-dose series
• 2 weeks (14 days) after you received the full series of an active (not placebo) COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S.-based AstraZeneca or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine trials
• 2 weeks (14 days) after you received 2 doses of any “mix-and-match” combination of accepted COVID-19 vaccines administered at least 17 days apart*

Accepted COVID-19 Vaccines

• Janssen/J&J
• Pfizer-BioNTech
• AstraZeneca
• BIBP/Sinopharm

How the 14 days are calculated:

Your last dose must have been given a full 14 days before the day you board your flight to the United States.

You are considered fully vaccinated on the 14th day after the vaccination series was completed. For example, if your last dose was any time on October 1st, then October 15th would be the first day that you meet the 14-day requirement.

WHAT ARE THE TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS FOR CHILDREN?

Children under 18 are excepted from the vaccination requirement for foreign national travelers, given both the ineligibility of some younger children for vaccination, as well as the global variability in access to vaccination for older children who are eligible to be vaccinated.

Children between the ages of 2 and 17 are required to take a pre-departure test. If traveling with a fully vaccinated adult, an unvaccinated child can test three days prior to departure (consistent with the timeline for fully vaccinated adults). If an unvaccinated child is traveling alone or with unvaccinated adults, they will have to test within one day of departure.

WHY DO WE NEED YOUR DOCUMENTS?

The CDC is also issuing a Contact Tracing Order that requires all airlines flying into the United States to keep on hand – and promptly turn over to the CDC, when needed – contact information that will allow public health officials to follow up with inbound air travelers who are potentially infected or have been exposed to someone who is infected.

All air passengers to the United States will also be required to provide contact information to airlines before boarding flights to the United States. This strengthens a travel process already in place to rapidly identify and contact people in the U.S. who may have been exposed to a communicable disease, such as COVID-19. Access to travelers’ contact information will allow U.S. federal, state, and local health departments, and agencies to share appropriate health and public health information necessary to help keep the public safe.

• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/proof-of-vaccination.html#covid-vaccines
• https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/10/25/fact-sheet-biden-administration-releases-additional-detail-for-implementing-a-safer-more-stringent-international-air-travel-system/
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/noncitizens-US-air-travel.html

Last Update: November 3, 2021

THE BAHAMAS

The Government of The Bahamas has announced the entry procedures will change for those who have been vaccinated and waited two-weeks. Until this is in place and Travel.gov.bs are updated, we are urging all guests to get their PCR tests as before.

Effective May 1, 2021,  international visitors traveling to The Bahamas from  other countries  who are fully vaccinated  and  have passed the two-week immunity period   will be exempt from testing requirements for entry and inter-island travel.    

REQUIREMENTS FOR VACCINATED TRAVELERS Vaccinated t ravelers will still need to apply for the Bahamas  Travel Health Visa  and  will be required to  upload proof of vaccination  with their application.   They  will not need to provide  a  negative COVID-19  PCR  test prior to entry or submit to rapid testing mandates  during their  stay.   

REQUIREMENTS FOR  UN VACCINATED TRAVELERS Travelers who are not fully vaccinated will be required to follow  all  existing   entry testing requirements including  applying for a  Bahamas  Travel Health Visa, provid ing  proof of  negative PCR test taken no more than five (5) days prior to arrival, as well  as  conducting   rapid COVID-19 antigen test ing   if they are staying in The Bahamas for longer than four (4) nights and five (5) days .   

REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL TRAVELERS All travelers will be required to apply for the  Bahamas  Travel Health Visa and  complete the daily health questionnaire. All residents and visitors must adhere to health and safety protocols  on-island  such as mask wearing, social distancing and frequent hand washing among others. Health and safety remain our highest priority and we must continue to be vigilant.   

Due to the fluidity of COVID-19, the Government of The Bahamas will continue to monitor cases across the islands and loosen or tighten restrictions as needed. The Bahamas is an archipelago  with more than 700 islands and cays, spread over 100,000 square miles, which means   conditions and instances of the virus can be different on each of the 16 islands available to welcome visitors. Trave l ers should  continue to  check the status of their island destination before traveling ,  by visiting  Bahamas.com/travelupdates .   

Tropic Ocean Airways will continuously share updates on travel requirements for The Bahamas as they are announced. However, we recommend using the below resources for official updates on restrictions, protocols, and updates:

https://www.opm.gov.bs/

Contact  [email protected]  for any questions about current or future reservations.

We look forward to having you aboard!

Last Update: April 29, 2021

PUERTO RICO

TRAVEL GUIDELINES

Puerto Rico is enforcing  local measures  developed by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC), alongside U.S. Travel Association (USTA)  guidelines , such as social distancing, mandatory face coverings in public areas, and a variety of mandates for businesses – including, but not limited to, reduced capacities and high standards of cleanliness in accordance with CDC and EPA guidelines.

Travelers are required to fill out Travel Declaration Form through the Puerto Rico Health Department’s online portal , get a molecular COVID-19 test (nasal or throat swab) no more than 72 hours prior to visiting the Island, and show proof of a negative result or they must quarantine. A curfew on the Island is in effect from 9:00 PM – 5:00 AM, along with a 24-hour lockdown on Sundays, except for emergencies through January 7th.

ISLAND ARRIVAL

To further safeguard residents and visitors,  all arriving passengers  must comply with the following measures before arriving in Puerto Rico:

• Complete  an online Travel Declaration Form from the Puerto Rico Health Department, which can be accessed at www.travelsafe.pr.gov  or  www.viajaseguro.pr.gov . Kiosks at the airport are also available for travelers to fill out the form upon arrival, as it is a requirement to exit the airport.
• Demonstrate  a negative molecular COVID-19 test result  (which consists of a nasal or throat swab),  taken no more than 72 hours prior . Testing sites on the mainland U.S. can be found  here . It is highly recommended to get tested prior to arriving on the Island given limited resources.
• Obtain  Airport Exit Confirmation number  and  QR Code , which travelers will automatically receive when uploading their molecular test results to the Puerto Rico Health Department’s online portal.

AIRPORT PROCESS

• The Puerto Rico National Guard is assisting with enhanced health screenings of all arriving passengers at the  Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport  in San Juan, where all passenger flights are currently being diverted. Face masks are mandatory.
• All arriving travelers will be pre-screened via thermographic cameras to monitor temperatures, and enhanced protocols will take place at baggage claim before exiting the airport.

For more information, visit:

https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/info/travel-guidelines 

https://app.travelsafe.pr.gov/

Last Update: December 21, 2020

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

• Negative COVID-19 PCR test 5 days prior to flight
• Tests must be submitted to 24 hours prior to flight
• A completed travel certificate

Travellers must  BEGIN their application no later than 48 hours before travel.

Applications on the BVI Gateway portal must be  COMPLETED  at least  24 hours before travel date and time.

All applicants in  PENDING  status, who have not completed their necessary requirements 24 hours prior to travelling, will be  DENIED.

For Tech Support or Questions: Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: 284-496-6129  (messages only)

https://bvigateway.bviaa.com/ 

US VIRGIN ISLANDS

• Negative COVID-19 test 5 days prior to flight
• Completed travel screen certificate

https://usvitravelportal.com 

– AVISO IMPORTANTE –

Información al viajero 2021.

• NUEVAS RESTRICCIONES IMPUESTAS PARA VIAJES DE EE.UU. A CUBA
• Guía actualizada para empresas de turismo y viajeros para la implementación de la Orden Ejecutiva 2020-052 (Inglés Solamente)
• Si usted tiene una emergencia en el extranjero contacte a la Embajada Estadounidense más cercana o llame al 1-888-407-4747 (Estados Unidos y Canadá) o al + 1-202-501-4444 (internacional)
• Oprima aquí para más información
• Columnas del Secretario de Estado sobre Viajes al Exterior

El Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) es un servicio gratuito que le permite a ciudadanos y residentes de Estados Unidos viajando al exterior registrar su viaje ante la embajada o consulado estadounidense más cercano.

El Departamento de Estado federal provee información y consejos de seguridad sobre cada país del mundo para ayudarle a evaluar los riesgos de viaje. Cada página de información contiene avisos de viajes, alertas y otra información específica del país a visitar que pudiera afectarle.

Accesa a Alertas y Advertencias para ayudar a planificar su viaje al exterior. En esta página usted podrá ver las alertas de viaje vigentes del destino a visitar.

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Calle San José Esq. San Francisco Viejo San Juan

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PO Box 9023271 San Juan, PR 00902-3271

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• San Juan, PR

Puerto Rico eases travel entry requirements

By Aviator of the Seas , January 28, 2022 in San Juan, PR

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Aviator of the Seas

Where the thorn since December had been that the Puerto Rico government required both vaccination proof AND a 48 hour Covid test for entry to avoid quarantine, effective February 2, 2022:

• Inbound travelers need to present proof of vaccination OR a 48 hour Covid test prior to entry by air on domestic U.S. flights or by sea. Either/or. Not both.
• All travelers must complete a travel declaration at travelsafe.pr.gov and obtain a green QR code to avoid delays in exiting baggage claim at the airport or disembarking at the cruise ship piers.
• Inbound air travelers on international flights (from outside the U.S.), the U.S. still requires both vaccines and tests.

IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that once you obtain your Puerto Rico green QR code for entry, that you print it out or keep a screenshot of it on your phone/iPad/tablet. The thing is, the only domestic U.S. cell carrier available in Puerto Rico is now Sprint/T-Mobile, and those on other networks might have issues accessing the internet and their cloud documents from their phones once on the island.

That's it. Happy Easter/Spring Break!

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Great news. Where did you source this info?  Not on travelsafe website yet.  Thanks!

1 hour ago, hank1065 said: Great news. Where did you source this info?  Not on travelsafe website yet.  Thanks!

The Governor's new Executive Orders just came out this morning. You can find them here in their original Spanish language form. The English versions come out a couple of days later, usually.

https://www.estado.pr.gov/es/ordenes-ejecutivas/

The one related to travel is OE-2022-005.

GrammieCruising

It’s out on AP news as well 🌞

Does someone have the link in English. We'll be arriving at SJU on March 18th for a cruise on the 20th. We'll have our vaccination card. So we can fill out the Travel Declaration and print out before flying there. We have AT&T so now I'm concerned about internet connection to do our online covid test before boarding the ship. Thoughts please !! 

Also looking for official confirmation link

Is it thought that NCL will provide this update in their Covid mandate info?

18 hours ago, Ashland said: Does someone have the link in English. We'll be arriving at SJU on March 18th for a cruise on the 20th. We'll have our vaccination card. So we can fill out the Travel Declaration and print out before flying there. We have AT&T so now I'm concerned about internet connection to do our online covid test before boarding the ship. Thoughts please !! 

AT&T sold its Puerto Rico network to the local cable TV company. So, if I were you I would print out and/or screenshoot my green travelsafe.pr.gov QR code to avoid delays at the airport.

18 minutes ago, Aviator of the Seas said: AT&T sold its Puerto Rico network to the local cable TV company. So, if I were you I would print out and/or screenshoot my green travelsafe.pr.gov QR code to avoid delays at the airport.

What's the timeframe for filling out this form if I'm arriving on a flight March 18th...how soon can I do it ?

On 1/29/2022 at 10:32 PM, Ashland said: What's the timeframe for filling out this form if I'm arriving on a flight March 18th...how soon can I do it ?

Not sure how early you can do it, but the the latest you should do it is while you wait to board your flight to the islands.

On 1/29/2022 at 8:07 AM, janroatan said: Also looking for official confirmation link Is it thought that NCL will provide this update in their Covid mandate info?

Here's the official word, attached.

2022-004 - Circular Letter All Cruise Lines - Passengers - Crew and Others-3.pdf

Great! thanks for posting this memorandum.

On 1/29/2022 at 1:44 AM, Ashland said: Does someone have the link in English. We'll be arriving at SJU on March 18th for a cruise on the 20th. We'll have our vaccination card. So we can fill out the Travel Declaration and print out before flying there. We have AT&T so now I'm concerned about internet connection to do our online covid test before boarding the ship. Thoughts please !! 

Just screen shot your QR code and save in your pictures.  We had to to the same for Spain last week and just showed it and flew through the airport.  I did print out paper copies of everything also just in case.

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Is travelsafe.pr.gov really updated correctly? - Puerto Rico Forum

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Is travelsafe.pr.gov really updated correctly?

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https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel-during-covid19.html

Is http://travelsafe.pr.gov really updated correctly? Seem strange that an official government website for such important information would not be.

3 replies to this topic

We travel from a european country though.

Then the CDC site is what you need to follow.

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Instructions for Travelers

Special instructions for travelers at the airport.

Upon your arrival in the San Juan International Airport (SJU), you will be required to present evidence of vaccination at the terminal exit in the baggage claim area.

In advance of your arrival , you may use your cell phone or notebook to register your proof of vaccination and details of your trip through the digital application found at:

https://1link.travelsafe.pr.gov

Once you complete the registration process you will receive confirmation with a QR code that will be your proof of vaccination which you will present as you exit the terminal. You will also be required to present your picture ID . The QR code is useful only for entry to Puerto Rico at the airport.

To access public establishments in San Juan, you will be required to present your CDC-issued vaccination card and a picture ID.

Special Instructions for Participants at the Conference

Wearing a face mask is required by an Executive Order issued by the Governor of Puerto Rico. Therefore, it is required by law whenever you are circulating in public areas (shopping, walking about) except while eating or drinking at an establishment, or while you are in the water at the hotel pool and beach areas. While you are at the conference, we will issue you a face shield at the registration desk and surgical masks at the entrances to the lecture rooms along with personal hand sanitizers that you can use for your protection while attending lectures and poster sessions.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation with these safety guidelines.

Puerto Rico INBRE Local Planning Committee

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Booster Mandates for Puerto Rico Employees and Additional COVID-19 Measures

As COVID-19 positivity rates continue to decrease, on February 13, 2022, Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi issued three news executive orders revising travelers’ declaration requirements, relaxing COVID-19 restrictions and providing for additional vaccine booster mandates for certain employees. The new executive orders are summarized as follows:  

Traveler Restrictions – EO 2022-09

Traveler Declaration Form – Any passenger over two years of age who arrives in Puerto Rico from a flight from any state or territory of the United States of America or from any international destination must complete the "Declaration of traveler, COVID-19 Alert" or the "Travel Declaration Form, COVID-19 alert” (Traveler Declarations). 1  Completing the Traveler Declarations includes, among other things, attaching a copy of the "COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card," the Vacu-ID or negative COVID-19 result. 2  In contrast, any passenger who has the Vacu-ID issued by the Government of Puerto Rico reflecting they were inoculated with the booster dose, will be exempt from having to complete the Traveler Declarations. Additionally, an adult with a Vacu-ID traveling with a child over two years of age must complete the Traveler Declarations for the minor.

Domestic Travelers – Any passenger over the age of two years who arrives in Puerto Rico from any state or territory of the United States of America must comply with the following: 

1) Vaccinated person: present evidence of being completely inoculated.

2) Unvaccinated person:

a.  Present a negative COVID-19 result from a qualified COVID-19 test that has been processed by a licensed healthcare professional (home tests not acceptable) and has been performed within two days prior to arrival, or

b. Present a positive COVID-19 result from the past three months together with documentation of recovery.

c. If the unvaccinated passenger does not present the result of the COVID-19 test at the time of arrival, they must undergo a qualified SARS-CoV2 viral test within 48 hours of arrival and must remain in quarantine while waiting for the result.

International Travelers – Passengers arriving from any international destination must adhere to the rules imposed by the U.S. government ("Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic") and by CDC orders applicable to Global Travel. In addition, every passenger over two years of age, except those excepted by the CDC, must present: (a) a negative COVID-19 result approved by a relevant national authority, carried out one day before boarding the aircraft, regardless of whether or not the person is vaccinated against COVID-19, or (b) a positive result to COVID-19 from the past 90 days before the flight, along with documentation of recovery.

Exceptions – Any member of the flight crew or aviation mechanic who does not remain in Puerto Rico for a period of more than 72 hours, federal agents, state agents, officials working in the extradition process, military personnel of the United States of America and any other personnel determined by the Department of Health shall be exempt from complying with the provisions of this executive order. Likewise, people who return to Puerto Rico from a trip of less than 48 hours’ duration will be exempt from complying with what is ordered here. They must present evidence of their flight departing from Puerto Rico. In all of the exceptional circumstances set forth above, the person must comply with showing either the Vacu-ID or Traveler Declaration Form.

Booster Requirements for Additional Industry Sectors – EO 2022-010

Beauty salons, barbershops, spas, gyms, childcare centers (including Head Start and Early Head Start) and casino employees who are already vaccinated against COVID-19 must receive their booster dose in order to be considered fully vaccinated. Employees will have until March 15, 2022, to comply. Non-eligible employees will have 30 days after they become eligible to receive the vaccine booster to comply with this requirement. Employees who do not comply with the booster mandate must either present a negative COVID-19 test every seven days or a positive test result from the previous three months, along with evidence of recovery and a letter from a healthcare provider certifying the individual is recovered. Employees who do not comply with any of the mentioned requirements cannot work in person and the employer may take whatever steps necessary. People who perform voluntary service in any of the mentioned places will also be considered an employee for purposes of the booster mandate.

Forum Maximum Capacity and Visitors – EO 2022-011

Restaurants, including fast foods, food courts, bars, sports bars, cinemas, theatres, coliseum, convention center, cafeterias, and any other establishment that sells food in a closed setting must limit their maximum occupancy to 75% (up from 50%). 

This EO also amends EO 2021-075 , allowing mass activities so long as participants over five years of age present one of the following: (1) a negative COVID-19 test result from a maximum of two days prior to the event; (2) proof of vaccination, including a vaccine booster for eligible individuals; or (3) evidence of a positive COVID-19 result from the past three months.

Additionally, all businesses within the certain sectors (restaurants, bars, cafeterias, theaters, cinemas, sports bars and activity centers, hotels, hostels, inns, beauty salons, barbershops, spa, gyms and casinos) must ensure that all of their visitors over five years of age provide, prior to entering their premises, proof of vaccination, a negative COVID-19 test result or a positive test result from the previous three months along with evidence of recovery and a letter from a healthcare provider certifying the individual is recovered. The establishment will be responsible for requesting this information before visitors enter the establishment. In the case of food establishments, individuals who exclusively acquire food via delivery or curbside pickup are exempt. Visitors who refuse to comply with these requirements will not be able to access the premises. If the individual is a guest of a hotel or inn including short-term rentals, they may not stay until they comply. Moreover, any beauty salon, barbershop, spa or gym that does not comply with these requirements will be obliged to limit their maximum capacity to 50%.

Finally, the EO requires all covered businesses to post in visible places a notice informing individuals of the confidential telephone number for COVID-19 reports created by the Department of Health. The poster must indicate whether the location inquires about visitors’ vaccination status or negative test results at its entrance. 3

See Footnotes

1  These can be accessed digitally prior to arrival at  https://1link.travelsafe.pr.gov/ .

2  Negative test results must be from a qualified SARS-CcA/2 viral test (nucleic acid amplification tests "NAAT" or antigen test). 

3  This poster or sign must contain the following contact information so that citizens can report breaches: a) Phone: (787) 522-6300, extensions 6899, 6840, 6824,6833 and 6893 b) Email:  [email protected]

Information contained in this publication is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or opinion, nor is it a substitute for the professional judgment of an attorney.

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Anabel Rodríguez-Alonso

Irene Viera Matta

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Puerto Rico: Booster Mandates For Puerto Rico Employees And Additional COVID-19 Measures

As COVID-19 positivity rates continue to decrease, on February 13, 2022, Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi issued three news executive orders revising travelers' declaration requirements, relaxing COVID-19 restrictions and providing for additional vaccine booster mandates for certain employees. The new executive orders are summarized as follows:

Traveler Restrictions - EO 2022-09

Traveler Declaration Form   -  Any passenger over two years of age who arrives in Puerto Rico from a flight from any state or territory of the United States of America or from any international destination must complete the "Declaration of traveler, COVID-19 Alert" or the "Travel Declaration Form, COVID-19 alert" (Traveler Declarations). 1  Completing the Traveler Declarations includes, among other things, attaching a copy of the "COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card," the Vacu-ID or negative COVID-19 result. 2  In contrast, any passenger who has the Vacu-ID issued by the Government of Puerto Rico reflecting they were inoculated with the booster dose, will be exempt from having to complete the Traveler Declarations. Additionally, an adult with a Vacu-ID traveling with a child over two years of age must complete the Traveler Declarations for the minor.

Domestic Travelers  -  Any passenger over the age of two years who arrives in Puerto Rico from any state or territory of the United States of America must comply with the following: 

1) Vaccinated person: present evidence of being completely inoculated.

2) Unvaccinated person:

a. Present a negative COVID-19 result from a qualified COVID-19 test that has been processed by a licensed healthcare professional (home tests not acceptable) and has been performed within two days prior to arrival, or

b. Present a positive COVID-19 result from the past three months together with documentation of recovery.

c. If the unvaccinated passenger does not present the result of the COVID-19 test at the time of arrival, they must undergo a qualified SARS-CoV2 viral test within 48 hours of arrival and must remain in quarantine while waiting for the result.

International Travelers  -  Passengers arriving from any international destination must adhere to the rules imposed by the U.S. government ("Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic") and by CDC orders applicable to Global Travel. In addition, every passenger over two years of age, except those excepted by the CDC, must present: (a) a negative COVID-19 result approved by a relevant national authority, carried out one day before boarding the aircraft, regardless of whether or not the person is vaccinated against COVID-19, or (b) a positive result to COVID-19 from the past 90 days before the flight, along with documentation of recovery.

Exceptions   -  Any member of the flight crew or aviation mechanic who does not remain in Puerto Rico for a period of more than 72 hours, federal agents, state agents, officials working in the extradition process, military personnel of the United States of America and any other personnel determined by the Department of Health shall be exempt from complying with the provisions of this executive order. Likewise, people who return to Puerto Rico from a trip of less than 48 hours' duration will be exempt from complying with what is ordered here. They must present evidence of their flight departing from Puerto Rico. In all of the exceptional circumstances set forth above, the person must comply with showing either the Vacu-ID or Traveler Declaration Form.

Booster Requirements for Additional Industry Sectors - EO 2022-010

Beauty salons, barbershops, spas, gyms, childcare centers (including Head Start and Early Head Start) and casino employees who are already vaccinated against COVID-19 must receive their booster dose in order to be considered fully vaccinated. Employees will have until March 15, 2022, to comply. Non-eligible employees will have 30 days after they become eligible to receive the vaccine booster to comply with this requirement. Employees who do not comply with the booster mandate must either present a negative COVID-19 test every seven days or a positive test result from the previous three months, along with evidence of recovery and a letter from a healthcare provider certifying the individual is recovered. Employees who do not comply with any of the mentioned requirements cannot work in person and the employer may take whatever steps necessary. People who perform voluntary service in any of the mentioned places will also be considered an employee for purposes of the booster mandate.

Forum Maximum Capacity and Visitors - EO 2022-011

Restaurants, including fast foods, food courts, bars, sports bars, cinemas, theatres, coliseum, convention center, cafeterias, and any other establishment that sells food in a closed setting must limit their maximum occupancy to 75% (up from 50%). 

This EO also amends  EO 2021-075 , allowing mass activities so long as participants over five years of age present one of the following: (1) a negative COVID-19 test result from a maximum of two days prior to the event; (2) proof of vaccination, including a vaccine booster for eligible individuals; or (3) evidence of a positive COVID-19 result from the past three months.

Additionally, all businesses within the certain sectors (restaurants, bars, cafeterias, theaters, cinemas, sports bars and activity centers, hotels, hostels, inns, beauty salons, barbershops, spa, gyms and casinos) must ensure that all of their visitors over five years of age provide, prior to entering their premises, proof of vaccination, a negative COVID-19 test result or a positive test result from the previous three months along with evidence of recovery and a letter from a healthcare provider certifying the individual is recovered. The establishment will be responsible for requesting this information before visitors enter the establishment. In the case of food establishments, individuals who exclusively acquire food via delivery or curbside pickup are exempt. Visitors who refuse to comply with these requirements will not be able to access the premises. If the individual is a guest of a hotel or inn including short-term rentals, they may not stay until they comply. Moreover, any beauty salon, barbershop, spa or gym that does not comply with these requirements will be obliged to limit their maximum capacity to 50%.

Finally, the EO requires all covered businesses to post in visible places a notice informing individuals of the confidential telephone number for COVID-19 reports created by the Department of Health. The poster must indicate whether the location inquires about visitors' vaccination status or negative test results at its entrance. 3

1. These can be accessed digitally prior to arrival at  https://1link.travelsafe.pr.gov/ .

2. Negative test results must be from a qualified SARS-CcA/2 viral test (nucleic acid amplification tests "NAAT" or antigen test). 

3. This poster or sign must contain the following contact information so that citizens can report breaches: a) Phone: (787) 522-6300, extensions 6899, 6840, 6824,6833 and 6893 b) Email:  [email protected]

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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