Puerto Rico Adds Negative COVID-19 Travel Requirement
by Jessica Montevago /Puerto Rico will reopen for inbound tourism on July 15. Photo: Shutterstock.com.
Joining several other Caribbean destinations, Puerto Rico will require visitors to take a COVID-19 swab test prior to travel. The newly announced executive order comes as the U.S. territory readies to reopen for inbound tourism on July 15.
While Puerto Rico previously said arriving passengers at the airport would undergo free and voluntary COVID-19 testing, they now must complete a travel declaration form from the Puerto Rico Health Department with a negative molecular COVID-19 test from 72 hours prior.
If travelers arrive on the Island without the requested documentation, they will be offered a rapid COVID-19 test at the airport. Even if the test result is negative, it will be mandatory for the traveler to quarantine and cover their own medical expenses/possible extended stay.
The quarantine is mandated until the traveler provides proof of a negative molecular test result on island. If a negative molecular test is not provided, the traveler will be required to quarantine for 14 days, or the length of their stay.
All flights are currently being diverted the San Juan Airport, where the Puerto Rico National Guard will be assisting with enhanced health screenings of all arriving passengers. Face masks are mandatory and thermographic cameras remain operating to monitor temperatures.
Masks will be mandatory when in public, or individuals face a fine.
Restaurants, spas, museums, theaters are open and operating at 75% capacity. Casinos opened as of July 1 at 75% capacity, with wellness checkpoints at points of entry which will consist of temperature checks and hand sanitation
The curfew on the Island, in effect from 10 pm to 5 am, has been extended through July 22.
