Governor expands virus executive order to include health and hotel workers, government contractors
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO -- Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia issued a new COVID-19 pandemic executive order on Thursday mandating vaccinations or negative tests for all government contractors who provide services in person, as well as all employees who work in the health sector, public or private, and hospitality industry workers effective Aug. 16.
“As I have said on other occasions, we are facing a global public health emergency and it is up to each of us to protect ourselves and therefore protect our community. We all have to row together in the same direction to defeat this virus,” the governor said at a press conference. “These vaccination strategies, as well as the actions of the Department of Health with testing throughout Puerto Rico, taking vaccines to remote areas and requiring masks in closed spaces or in places where there are crowds, are essential to combat COVID-19. We continue to monitor the progress of infections and do not rule out taking additional measures, such as limiting hours of public and commercial activities or reducing the capacity allowed in establishments. We all have to cooperate.”
The order establishes that every government contractor who works in person will have to present evidence of vaccination or a weekly negative test result. Those who are vaccinated must finish the process on or before Sept. 30.
As in the previous executive order against COVID-19, exceptions will be made for those with health conditions certified by a medical professional and those who decline vaccinations for religious reasons with an affidavit from the leader of their congregation or religious denomination. However, they must present negative COVID-19 test results or a medical recovery certificate in the case of positive tests.
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