Puerto Rico Government Issues Three New Executive Orders In Relation To COVID-19

Published date02 February 2022
Subject MatterEmployment and HR, Coronavirus (COVID-19), Health & Safety, Government Measures, Employment and Workforce Wellbeing, Operational Impacts and Strategy
Law FirmLittler Mendelson
AuthorMr Alberto Tabales-Maldonado

On January 28, 2022, Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi issued three additional executive orders in connection to COVID-19. These executive orders span a wide range of sectors, from travelers to private-sector employers and students. The most important aspects of each executive order (EO) are summarized below:

EO 2022-005 - Requirements for Travelers Who Come to Puerto Rico

EO 2022-005 establishes the requirements for domestic and international travelers who arrive in Puerto Rico. This EO will be effective from Wednesday, February 2, 2022, onwards. EO 2022-005 establishes that all travelers must fill out the "Travel Declaration Form, COVID-19 Alert" on or before entering Puerto Rico. With this form, the traveler must attach a copy of their vaccination card or a negative COVID-19 test result.

For domestic travelers who are age two or older, the requirement will be contingent on their vaccination status. If the traveler is vaccinated, they must have evidence of having completed the vaccination series. Unvaccinated travelers, on the other hand, must provide a negative COVID-19 test result within 48 hours prior to their arrival, or a positive result for COVID-19 from three months prior to the flight accompanied by a letter from their healthcare provider stating they have recovered from the virus.

International travelers must comply with U.S. government requirements. Accordingly, travelers ages two years or older must provide proof of being completely vaccinated and must have a negative COVID-19 test result one day before boarding the flight or a positive COVID-19 test result from the past three months.

EO 2022-006 - Expands Vaccine Booster Mandate for Public-Sector Employees and Government Contractors, Among Other Measures

EO 2022-006 expands the vaccine booster mandate to all public-sector employees. This includes Puerto Rico government employees, public corporation employees and contractors who work on-site or visit government offices. These individuals will have until February 28, 2022, to get the booster shot. Those who are not able to get the vaccine booster either for medical or other reasons, must then comply with the requirements of EO 2021-075.

Likewise, EO 2022-006 amended Section 8...

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