COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Puerto Rico (29 November Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and residents can enter.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes

• The borders are open for all travellers.

Is a test required on arrival?

• No with exceptions

• Travellers who arrive without a valid test certificate will be tested on arrival.

• Travellers who arrive displaying COVID-19 related symptoms will have a rapid COVID-19 test (finger prick blood test) performed at the airport by the Puerto Rico National Guard. They may also be subject to a PCR test to confirm a negative result at their own expense.

Is a test certificate allowed?

• Yes

• Test certificates issued outside of Puerto Rico will be accepted if they are presented in English or Spanish.

Test certificate required?

• Yes

• Travellers must present a certificate for a negative COVID-19 PCR test performed no more than 72 hours before arrival. People below 12 years of age are not required to show a negative test certificate.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes with exceptions

• Travellers who are asymptomatic but do not have a negative PCR test or are awaiting results will quarantine for 14-days at their own expense or until their test results are available. If the test is negative, they can leave the quarantine. If the test is positive, they must isolate and seek medical care.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• Travellers must complete the online Travel Declaration Form through the Puerto Rico Health Department’s online portal here: https://app.travelsafe.pr.gov/. Travellers will have the option to upload their negative COVID-19 test result.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• Travellers are recommended to use the “Rastrea el Virus” app for contact tracing.

Airline restrictions

• Minimal

• Airports in Puerto Rico are open. International and domestic commercial flights are operating. Most flights are scheduled in and out of San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• The borders are open for all travellers.

• Marinas are open for navigation between ports. Docking is prohibited.

• Cruise ships are now allowed in the United States territorial waters with a maximum of 250 passengers.

Curfew restrictions

• Moderate

• A night curfew from 22:00 to 05:00 (local time) is in place until at least 11 December. Essential services will not be affected.

Social distancing restrictions

• Moderate

• All unauthorized public gatherings are prohibited.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• Private taxis are available during non-curfew hours.

• The Puerto Rico Metropolitan Bus Authority (AMA) and Tren Urbano subway system has started operations.

• Tourists are allowed to use maritime transport to and from Culebra Island only.

• Only residents are allowed to use the ferry services to the islands of Vieques.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• Most businesses, including casinos, gyms, and movie theatres, are allowed to reopen with limited capacity.

• Retail stores are open with limited capacity and with public health restrictions.

• Most commercial, financial, and professional sectors have resumed services at reduced capacity.

• Government agencies are open.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Hotels are allowed to open.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants are allowed to open with a reduced capacity.

Bars and cafes open?

• No

• Bars, cafes, and nightclubs remained closed.

Beaches and tourism sites open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Beaches are allowed to reopen with limited capacity.

Museums and heritage sites open?

• Yes

• Museums are open with limited capacity.

Personal care services open?

• Yes

• Hair salons, barbershops and individual spas are open via appointment.

Places of worship open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Churches and other places of worship should hold services at reduced capacity, maintaining social distancing protocols.

Events allowed?

• Yes with exceptions

• A maximum of ten people may gather for funerals.

• Indoor and outdoor mass gatherings for any events are prohibited.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Face masks covering the nose and mouth are mandatory in public spaces.

Other

• Outdoor activities with children, such as cycling, jogging, running, and walking, are permitted with social distancing norms.

• The sale of alcohol is allowed until 22:00 (local time) every day.

• Professional sports events are allowed, excluding physical contact sports like boxing.

• The 911 emergency phone number has been indefinitely suspended after the recent confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the related call centres. Anyone in need of emergency may call the police (+1 787 3432020) or the State Agency for Emergency and Disaster Management (+1 787 7240124).

Tanácsadás

The COVID-19 epidemic is changing constantly worldwide. This information is subject to change as the situation evolves. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Some countries are beginning to remove some restrictions gradually. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country’s embassy for information on your specific travel plans.