Despite warnings from authorities, December saw an increase in the number of passengers arriving on the island

Traveling to Puerto Rico remains at risk of COVID-19 contamination under federal government parameters, which keep the island at alert level 4, the highest number of warnings for travelers.

“Travelers should avoid all trips to Puerto Rico. Travel increases the risk of obtaining and sending COVID-19 ”, warns the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the notification it issued on Dec. 2 that it will remain active.

However, about 11,000 daily passengers have arrived in Puerto Rico in the past two weeks, said José Reyes, general assistant of the National Guard.

As part of the measures taken as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency, 260 members of the National Guard are stationed at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, in Isla Verde, for the protocol of medical screening of travelers, assured Reyes.

Also, he said, personnel are stationed at Aguadilla and Ponce airports to screen workers on cargo flights, as well as at Isla Grande airport for private flights. According to him, there are also screening for flights from Ceiba to Vieques and Culebra, and at the Ceiba boat terminal for boat trips to the municipal islands. In total, he said, 1,500,000 medical examinations have been conducted at these facilities.

Miriam Ramos Colón, epidemiologist in charge of the epidemiological surveillance system at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, warned that, given the current picture of viral infections on the island, the removal of the travel warning to the island is not expected for the time being.

Meanwhile, he noted that during the pandemic this year, about 1.1 million travelers have arrived on the island.

During Thanksgiving week, he said, there was an increase in the traffic of people entering the country, although it later dropped back to about 5,000 a day.

However, the epidemiologist noted that in the month of December a further increase was noted, from about 9,000 to 11,000 daily travelers.

This epidemiological system followed 81,263 travelers until last week.

According to Ramos Colón, 60% of the travelers in the system answer the follow-up reports they make, mainly electronically or by phone. Most of those who test positive for the virus, he said, are asymptomatic.

On the other hand, the official noted that ten people could not get on the plane because they were infected with this virus. In addition, six other cases from other jurisdictions were identified that warned travelers who were infected with this disease and should not be allowed to travel.

“There has been an increase in non-residents (trips to the island). Many come to spend time with family members, ”said Ramos Colón, noting that 60% of travelers who have been tested positive for the virus report that they are at home with relatives who are recovering while visiting the island.

Ramos Colón stressed that while the admonition is not to take trips to the island, those still traveling should undergo the virus test (molecular or antigen) 72 hours before the trip to ensure they are negative.

As reported by Reyes, this is one of three options travelers have. Also, he said, they can go to a local lab to run the molecular or antigen test to certify whether or not the traveler is, in fact, infected. Otherwise, he indicated, the traveler would have to remain in quarantine for 14 days.

Through Sara Alert’s electronic system, Reyes explained, they will receive a message daily until they present a negative test for the virus.

“We depend on the discipline of the people. We appeal to the conscience of the people, ”he said.