PUERTO RICO REOPENS BEACHES, POOLS, AND MARINAS

Eased restrictions welcome travelers to the island

Jan 07, 2021

Beaches, marinas and pools are now open Photo Credit Marriott Resorts

Puerto Rico’s new governor announced he will reopen beaches, marinas, and pools, eliminate a Sunday lockdown, and shorten a curfew that has been in place since the pandemic began to control the number of COVID-19 cases. Gov. Pedro Pierluisi stressed alcohol will be banned at beaches and other places, and that social distancing is required between people who are not family members, with no large groups allowed to gather. Meanwhile, the new curfew will run from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. and face masks remain mandatory. He said the new measures go into effect Thursday and will be in place for 30 days but can be amended any time. “Our goal has to be to be able to return to a new normal,” Pierluisi said. “We have to keep taking preventive measures in the meantime.”

The announcement was cheered by many across Puerto Rico who have long sought to visit the U.S. territory’s beaches that had remained off-limits to all except those doing exercise. It’s quality of life,” Pierluisi said. He also ordered Puerto Rico’s Treasury Department to use federal funds and create economic incentives to help tens of thousands of small and medium businesses hard hit by strict closures that have been in place since March. The announcement comes the same day that health experts began receiving the second COVID-19 vaccine dose, with some 60,000 people vaccinated so far and an expected 90,000 by the end of the week. Those scheduled to be vaccinated soon include teachers, with Pierluisi saying in-person classes could resume by March on a gradual scale. Carlos Mellado, Puerto Rico’s designated health secretary, said he expects 40,000 vaccine doses to arrive on the island every week.

Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort Credit Wyndham Hotels and Resorts

For more information, visit www.discoverpuertorico.com/

For official documents, visit www.estado.pr.gov/en/executive-orders/

For the travel advisory, visit www.discoverpuertorico.com/info/travel-guidelines

Sunsets and serenity Photo Credit Discover Puerto Rico