Governor Pedro R. Pierluisi announced today an amendment with new amendments to the current executive order to address the COVID-19 pandemic, in which he stated that he accepted the recommendations of the Scientific Coalition.
The amendments to the Executive Order will enter into force next Saturday, April 17, 2021 and will be in force until May 9, 2021.
Executive Order 2021-027 maintains left hours from 22:00 to 5:00 and closing shops and restaurants at 21:00 Persons participating in emergencies or health conditions, including those administering vaccines, those coming at any time to be vaccinated against COVID 19 and those accompanying a person to be vaccinated, among others, are excluded from the competition. .
In addition, it has established a greater restriction on occupancy in shops and restaurants.
Private operations serving the public in closed units can only operate with a maximum capacity of 30%.. This applies to restaurants, retail businesses, medical offices, funeral services, recreation, sports, horseback riding, film, financial, community, consumer services, professional, non-professional, college and post-secondary, care centers, religious, government agencies , among other analogues.
In the case of restaurants, the minimum required distance of six feet between tables must be guaranteed. While closed shopping centers will limit their capacity to one person for every 75 square meters per lane. With regard to private operations, such as non-public administrative offices, they must also operate at a capacity of 30% or guarantee a minimum physical distance of six feet between employees.
On the other hand, Puerto Rican government agencies will continue their work plans and service delivery, respecting the measures to prevent the spread of COVID and will guarantee the distance between employees of at least six feet. Remote work will continue to be considered a viable option, as determined by each head of the agency.
Mass activities in which there is no dispensation from the Ministry of Interior are strictly prohibited., which may require participants to test negative for COVID-19 from a qualified viral SARS-Cov2 test and antigen tests performed 72 hours in advance.
Similarly, It is not allowed to crowd on beaches, rivers, spas, marinas, swimming pools and other bodies of water, opening of coliseums, discos, activity centers or bars. Around the ports, it is forbidden to glue or tie several boats together as well anchoring on beaches, quays and islands less than 200 meters from the shore.
“In recent days we have seen an increase in COVID-19 infections, so, as we indicated, we are strengthening the integrated strategy against the pandemic. Vaccination continues to be essential to end this virus that affects us, and the Department of Health continues the process of vaccination without a break, affecting all sectors in Puerto Rico. In fact, as established by the Coalition, deaths in cases have dropped by half since vaccination began and at least 300 lives have been saved. “ expressed the governor.
The chief executive added that the secretary of health, Carlos Mellado, has already established agreements with the laboratories of several universities, which will be provided with reagents and will perform genomic sequence studies of cases of variants of the COVID-19 virus. In addition, the tests are grown throughout the island, both antigen and molecular. Likewise, the number of staff doubles to support the Department of Health’s investigative unit overseeing compliance with the new executive order. In addition, the presence of the police in public places will also continue to ensure compliance with the Order establishing greater restrictions. On the other hand, educational campaigns are expanding.
“We continue to seek the cooperation of all, so that they maintain preventive and precautionary measures, such as avoiding congestion, using a mask, physical distance and hand washing. The government is doing its part to have an integrated strategy against this virus, but we need everyone to do their part and not lower their guard, “said the governor.
Pierluisi asked all private units to register with the Municipal Health Investigation and Contact Tracking System (SMRIC) so that the government has more accurate case tracking data. Each unit must also comply with the protocols of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Health, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (PROSHA, for its acronym in English).
Regarding vaccination, federal government reports state that until yesterday, 1,858,586 vaccines were administered, of which 1,204,2259 correspond to the first dose and 648,894 completed doses.
The governor added that the requirement for molecular testing to reach Puerto Rico will be strengthened. All passengers arriving on the island through Luis Muñoz Marín (Carolina), Mercedita (Ponce) and Rafael Hernández (Aguadilla) International Airports in the United States or another destination must submit a molecular test, also known as a PCR, to the relevant authorities. must be done 72 hours before arriving in Puerto Rico. If they do not bring the negative result of the mentioned test, they will have 48 hours to perform it or they will be fined, because the voluntary quarantine option will be eliminated. The details of this measure will be established by an administrative order on which the Department of Health will work.
Finally, the governor asked the Puerto Rican Senate to complete the confirmation process for Health Secretary Carlos Mellado. “In Puerto Rico’s historic pandemic, it is inconceivable that Secretary Carlos Mellado, who has proven to be a first-rate professional and has an unquestionable commitment to Puerto Rico’s health, in this moment has not been confirmed. It is time for the Senate to act with the appointment of Secretary Mellado, the people’s doctor, “said the governor, who reiterated that these changes to the order could be changed at any time, depending on pandemic statistics.
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