Whilst many countries are seeing lower hospitalization rates of COVID 19 and even getting rid of mandatory COVID quarantines, there are still measures in place in most countries to avoid rapid transmission of the virus. This includes taking lateral flow tests at certain venues and precautionary measures at hotels and restaurants such as the Eclipse Restaurant Isabela.
If you’re traveling to Puerto Rico for business or for pleasure, there are a range of optional precautions you can take to protect yourself from COVID 19, especially if you’re someone who is immunocompromised. Travelers, of course, must take certain steps to protect themselves from tropical diseases and illnesses that are prevalent in certain countries. That being said, the seeming step back of COVID 19 reportage has meant that some travelers may still feel that it’s unclear what’s required of them regarding COVID 19. Whilst each hotel, venue or eatery such as the Eclipse Restaurant Isabela will have its own set of rules, air travel is another issue entirely and has recently been updated.
Whether you’re planning a business trip to Puerto Rico or a Villa Montana Beach Resort wedding, this blog will explore some of the measures that have been in place as of early February to help navigate the post-pandemic world when traveling by air.
Vaccinated Travelers And Air Travel
If you’re a vaccinated traveler planning on international air travel to Puerto Rico, make sure to upload your vaccination card via the Travel Declaration Form Portal. The definition of a fully vaccinated traveler is one who has completed all their vaccinations at least two weeks before travel. The booster is not required via the rules and a vaccination card should be the authorization relevant to your country. The declaration form portal requires you to upload your vaccination status and answer a few questions so that you can be recognised and filed as a visitor to Puerto Rico.
If you are a domestic traveler to the Villa Montana Beach Resort or other hotels on the island, you must also upload your vaccination card via the Travel Declaration Form. Though Puerto Rico is a territory of the US, it has a very different ecology and international footfall.
Unvaccinated Travelers And Air Travel
There are a variety of options for unvaccinated travelers, albeit a little more complicated than if you have been vaccinated. For unvaccinated domestic travelers, you must show a negative antigen or PCR test that has been taken within the last two days before your arrival and has been administered by an authorized healthcare provider. Alternatively, if you don’t want to take an antigen or PCR test, then you must instead quarantine upon arrival in Puerto Rico for 7 days or otherwise face a hefty fine. An alternative is to take one when you arrive in Puerto Rico and quarantine until the results come through. International travelers must present a negative PCR test from the last 24 hours instead of 48 for domestic travelers.
Testing Positive
If you have tested positive during your stay on the island, you may have to quarantine until you test negative from a PCR test. If you are symptomatic during your flight then you will have to report at the Puerto Rico airport and quarantine. Unfortunately, due to the scaling back of COVID relief, you will have to quarantine at your own expense until you test negative on a PCR or antigen.
Olivia's Travel Tips 