Puerto Rico is a relatively safe destination with a lower crime rate than many other areas of the United States. It is one of the safest Caribbean islands.

Most of the violent gun crime in Puerto Rico is related to drug trafficking and gang activity, which rarely affects visitors.

Check also: Best beaches in Puerto Rico for 2023

Related: – 50 Best Places to Travel Right Now in the U.S – Is Dominican Republic safe?

How safe is to visit Puerto Rico now – Latest Updates

February 8 – 3 American tourists were stabbed in Puerto Rico after being warned to stop filming in a popular neighborhood

After being instructed to cease filming in the La Perla neighborhood, three American tourists were attacked in Puerto Rico early on Monday, according to authorities.

The incident broke out in the well-known neighborhood where one of the tourists, Carlos Sanchez Brown, 39, of South Carolina, started filming a hamburger cart but was warned by some locals to stop and leave the area.

According to town commissioner José Juan Garcia, Brown was accompanied by Wallace Florence, 37, also from South Carolina, and Jackson Tremayne, 38, from Georgia.

A person with a knife attacked Brown in the left forearm as the victims approached Imperial Street near the Museum of Art and History. They then stabbed Tremayne six times, striking him in the left side of the chest, upper left part of the abdomen, left arm and back.

Ambulances were dispatched to transport Tremayne and Brown to a nearby hospital, but according to authorities, Florence refused medical attention. There was no immediate word on the victims’ condition.

Why visit Puerto Rico?

With its Caribbean average temperature of 80 degrees, alongside blue skies, beaches, and colorful landscapes, nobody would question traveling to Puerto Rico. Here are, 3 more reasons to do it.

1. Old San Juan

The colorful neighborhood paved with unique blue stones offers a myriad of restaurants, bars, and outdoor cafes amidst an area full of history and culture.

2. Santurce

The right place for those into music and art. Santurce is covered with murals, bars, and cafes. Best for people traveling on a budget.

3. Vieques

Home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, as well as the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge. Enjoy the beach while spotting semi-wild horses passing by.

Update archives

January 22 – Puerto Rico reports 42 deaths related to COVID-19 in a single day

Today, January 22, Puerto Rico has recorded 42 coronavirus-related deaths, according to a preliminary report conducted by the Department of Health. That’s the highest number of daily fatalities since the beginning of the pandemic.

16 of the cases were not vaccinated at all, 19 cases had received two courses of the vaccine, and 7 had received a booster shot. However, they had all suffered from underlying health conditions.

The good news is that hospitalizations have dropped down to 791, of which 103 are connected to artificial ventilation.

Up to date, the COVID-19 positivity rate in Puerto Rico is 27.01%, meaning that 27 of every 100 tests result positive.

Source: El Nuevo Día

December 14 – New restrictions for international travelers visiting Puerto Rico

Along with other countries around the world, Puerto Rico has tightened its entry restrictions due to the fear of the new Omicron variant.

As of December 6, all international visitors must present a negative test result taken no more than 24 hours before departure.

Also, at least 100 arriving passengers are tested randomly at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport every day. The number of random tests could vary depending on the positivity rate, the incidence of the virus, and the total number of daily arrivals.

Source: El Nuevo Día

November 8 – Puerto Rico to require vaccination from schoolchildren

Puerto Rico will require children aged 5 or older to get vaccinated to attend school, said the governor last week.

The coronavirus vaccine has just been approved for those aged between 5 and 11. There will be exceptions, of course. But the goal is to get at least 95% of this age group vaccinated.

The decision comes as Puerto Rico becomes the most vaccinated place in the whole of the U.S. and its territories. More than 80% of those aged 12 or older have received the full series of shots. Whereas 87% of 12-to 15-year-olds are already getting the vaccine.

Source: The Hill

September 24 – Puerto Rico removed from Chicago travel advisory list

Along with California, Puerto Rico has been removed from the Chicago travel advisory list. Therefore, travelers arriving from there are no longer recommended to get tested before and after their trip.

The states were taken off the list after daily new COVID-19 infections had dropped below 15 per 100,000 people for two consecutive weeks. On Tuesday, September 22, California reported 13.6 daily new cases, while Puerto Rico had only 9.4 daily new infections per 100,000 people.

At the moment, California and Puerto Rico are the only states which are not on the list, while Washington D.C. and Connecticut were added back to the travel advisory.

Source: Travel and Leisure

September 3 – CDC adds Puerto Rico to the ‘very high risk of COVID-19 list.’

On August 30, the CDC added 7 more countries to the ‘very high risk of COVID-19 list,’ including Puerto Rico. The CDC recommends avoiding visiting these countries, and anyone who must travel there should be fully vaccinated.

To help prevent the virus from spreading, Puerto Rico followed the announcement with further local restrictions. Since September 2, alcohol sales and drinking, celebrations, and public events are banned between midnight and 5 am.

A mask mandate had already been in place in all indoor spaces. But the new restrictions require face coverings also outside if there is a crowd of 50 people and more.

Source: CNN, Insider

Puerto Rico is not taking any chances regarding the safety of its visitors. Starting August 23, all hospitality workers will be obligated to bear a vaccine certificate to be allowed in the work area.

The new Executive Order (EO-2021-063) includes “all theaters, cinemas, coliseums, convention centers, activities centers, restaurants, and places where food or drinks are served such as bars, kiosks, sport bars, fast foods, food courts, and cafeterias.”

So far, the government has not announced that tourists or customers will also need to comply with the rule. Source: The National Law Review

All guests of hotels and short-term rentals in Puerto Rico will have to be vaccinated starting on Monday, August 16.

Hotel employees, government contractors, and health care workers will also need to be vaccinated. Those who don’t comply with the measures will be required to submit a negative COVID-19 test every week.

Violators of the regulations can face up to USD$ 5,000 fine or six months in jail.

Source: USA Today

Puerto Rico hit the 70% vaccination goal and even surpassed it by 5.6% on August 3, according to a report from the Department of Health (DS).

The DS also added that 66.2% of eligible people have already received two full series of a vaccine against COVID-19.

As of today, only 195 people are hospitalized. 24 of them, in critical condition.

Source: Swiss Info

The post Is It Safe To Travel To PUERTO RICO Right Now? (2023 Advisory) appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

-----------------------------
By: Maria Valencia
Title: Is It Safe To Travel To PUERTO RICO Right Now? (2023 Advisory)
Sourced From: www.travelinglifestyle.net/is-it-safe-to-visit-puerto-rico-during-covid-19/
Published Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2023 22:15:13 +0000

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