Puerto Rico to Require All Hotel Guests to Be Vaccinated

• Puerto Rico is set for a major update to its travel requirements — requiring vaccinations for all guests of hotels, guest houses and short-term rentals on the island. Beginning Aug. 16, vaccinations will be required for both employees and guests of all such properties.  
• Those not vaccinated must present a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 72 hours of the beginning of their visit. For unvaccinated travelers staying longer than one week, they must continue to present negative tests on a weekly basis.  
• Unvaccinated travelers who arrive without a test must upload a PCR or antigen test taken within 48 hours after arriving on the island — or they will receive a $300 fine. 
• This could deter some tourists from visiting slowing down the recovery in the sector and the economy, which Fitch Solutions expects to contract further by 1.0%. A failure by the US federal government to provide timely and sufficient funds for ongoing hurricane reconstruction and COVID-19 response efforts could push back the timeline for a recovery in growth in Puerto Rico. The federal government has delayed aid in the past due to concerns about corruption, though this risk has diminished under the US President Joe Biden administration.

(Source: Caribbean Journal & NCBCM Research)