Client Alert
Puerto Rico COVID-19 Update
Executive Order 2021-062 & Regulation 138-A
By: Angel Berberena, Esq.
August 6, 2021
On August 5, 2021, the Governor of Puerto Rico, Hon. Pedro R. Pierluisi, issued Executive Order 2021-062 (EO 2021-062) extending mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations to all government contractors that provide on-site services and to all employees working in the public or private health sector including hospitals, laboratories, emergency rooms, clinics, health centers, medical offices, therapy centers, blood banks, pharmacies, elder care facilities, medicinal cannabis dispensaries, and others.
The Order also mandates for all employees working at hotels, hostels, or inns to be vaccinated and for guests staying at any of said facilities (including short term rentals like Airbnb, VRBO, Join a Join, and others) to provide evidence of vaccination.
Health and religious exemptions are still available if adequate evidence, which require medical certifications or joint statements, and negative test results are timely provided.
On the same date, the Puerto Rico Department of Health (DOH) issued Regulation 138-A to amend the requirements for health care professionals to issue health certifications. Individuals seeking medical certifications are now required to provide evidence of COVID-19 vaccination (COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card) before a certificate is issued. Exempt persons must provide sufficient evidence to avoid this requirement.
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