Puerto Rico extends vaccination requirement to hotel guests

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(CNN Spanish) -

The governor of Puerto Rico, Pedro Pierluisi, signed a decree this Thursday in which he orders that guests and employees of hotels, inns, inns and short-term rentals be vaccinated against covid-19 or present a test with negative result.

The decree, which will take effect on August 16, also extends vaccination requirements to government contractors and employees in the public or private health sector.

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The measure establishes that every government contractor who works in person will have to present evidence of vaccination or test with a negative result weekly.

Those who get vaccinated must complete the process by September 30.

Exceptions

People who have a medical condition whose health could be harmed will be exempt from vaccination, but they must present a medical certificate issued by a health professional.

Likewise, those who for religious reasons decide not to be vaccinated must have an affidavit from the leader of their congregation or religious denomination.

In addition, they must present negative evidence of covid-19 or positive with a medical certificate of recovery.

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In the case of health facilities, vaccination or a weekly negative test will also be required.

This includes hospitals, clinical laboratories, medical offices, health and therapy centers, blood banks, and pharmacies.

The requirement is extended to all those who work in day or long-term care centers for the elderly.

Requirements for tourists

In the case of the tourism industry, guests of hotels, inns, inns and short-term rentals through platforms such as Airbnb, Vrbo, Join a Join, among others, will also have to present evidence of vaccination or negative proof of covid-19.

In the case of tourists who arrive in Puerto Rico with a negative test for covid-19 and their stay extends for more than a week, they will have to take another test.

Each agency or company will be responsible for complying with the decree.

If they fail to do so, they face a fine of up to US $ 5,000 or a sentence of up to six months in jail, both at the discretion of the Court.

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Government Employee Vaccination

A week ago, the governor announced the signing of a decree that also ordered mandatory vaccination for all government employees whose work was in person.

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Pierluisi urged private companies, the Legislative Assembly and the Judiciary to adopt the government's position on mandatory vaccination.

For these branches, inoculation is not mandatory.

Likewise, he recommended that businesses and private entities require that everyone who enters their facilities a vaccination certificate or proof that they are not a carrier of the virus.