The Government of Puerto Rico reported this Wednesday that it sent to the cruise lines that count San Juan as their base port some protocol alternatives that allow them to operate without affecting public health policy against covid-19.
The Department of Health and the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (CTPR) detailed these alternatives in a proposal that they hope will be approved soon, the executive director of the Puerto Rico Ports Authority, Joel A. Maybe
At least, the cruise lines with a base port in San Juan will continue to operate with the existing health protocols until January 16, 2022, said Pizá.
Among the alternatives that the Government of Puerto Rico has proposed to cruise lines is dividing passengers into three categories.
The first category is for residents of Puerto Rico, who upon disembarking will have to complete the traveler’s declaration and take a covid-19 test on the island in or before 48 hours.
The second category is aimed at non-residents who disembark and then take a flight that same day outside of Puerto Rico.
These passengers, however, may disembark without any restriction or requirement for molecular or antigen testing.
The third category is non-residents of Puerto Rico, but who decide to stay for one or more days on the island.
These visitors must have a negative PCR or antigen test performed on or before 48 hours upon arrival in Puerto Rico.
Pizá said that the cruise lines received the proposal this week and that the Government is at the "awaits to receive your impressions and recommendations so that the protocols already established can be amended in a coordinated manner".
For his part, the Secretary of Health, Carlos Mellado, stated that "the measures are necessary to safeguard the safety of the population at a time when cases and hospitalizations continue to increase".
"We have a responsibility to continue with the necessary efforts to prevent and stop the spread of covid-19", he claimed.
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