Security Brief for Puerto Rico prepared on: Jul 12, 2021 8:42:05 PM UTC Security Assessment Rating Security Rating for Puerto 2 - Low Rico: Sub-Ratings 1 2 3 4 5 Crime 3 Overall Rating: Security Services 3 2 Civil Unrest 3 Low Terrorism 2 Kidnapping 1 Geopolitical 2 Security Overview : Overview of Puerto Rico Crime is high compared to US mainland averages but remains low-to-moderate by Latin American standards. Unrest, particularly in the form of labor strikes and political demonstrations, occurs frequently in Puerto Rico and can prove disruptive, though not physically dangerous. There is a residual risk of transnational terrorism due to the island's relationship with the US and also a low risk of domestic terrorism because of internal disagreements over said relationship. There is no notable conflict threat to Puerto Rico, nor is one expected to develop. No Current Security Alerts Other Alerts & Advisories Warning Alerts Entry/Exit: Puerto Rico to end most COVID-19 measures effective July 5, except those for unvaccinated individuals, as case numbers remain low. Incident: COVID-19 restrictions Location(s): Territorywide (map) Time Frame: Indefinite Impact: Lingering business and travel disruptions Summary Authorities in Puerto Rico will end most COVID-19-related restrictions due to low viral spread and progress in the territory's vaccination campaign. Effective July 5, businesses and other establishments will no longer need to abide by any capacity restrictions or curtailed hours of operation. Additionally, fully vaccinated individuals will no longer be required to wear facemasks except in specific circumstances, such as in healthcare settings. Persons not fully vaccinated will, however, still be required to wear facemasks. Furthermore, all individuals attending events of 500 persons or more will be obligated to present either proof of full vaccination or a negative result from a COVID-19 antigen test taken no earlier than 24 hours before the event begins. International Travel Restrictions Puerto Rico's borders have reopened to all travelers, save those prevented from entering the US due to ongoing COVID-19-related restrictions at the federal level. Arriving passengers must wear protective face coverings and are subject to enhanced health screenings and protocols. Travelers must present a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival or else prove that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Those arriving without such documentation can either be tested at the airport or within 48 hours after arrival; they must remain in quarantine at their own expense while awaiting the results. Travelers who test positive for COVID-19 will be subject to a quarantine period lasting a minimum of 10 days at their own expense. Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks. Advice Follow all official instructions. Reconfirm all travel arrangements and business appointments. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Resources WHO Coronavirus Knowledge Base Puerto Rico Health Department - COVID-19 Updates Alert begins: 07/02/2021 Health: COVID-19 activity continues across several Caribbean countries and territories as of June 24. Maintain basic health precautions. Incident: COVID-19 transmission Location(s): Caribbean (map) Date: May 2021-June 2021 Transmission: Respiratory (coughing, sneezing, speaking) Summary Several countries and territories continue to report COVID-19 transmission as of June 24. The following countries and territories have identified confirmed COVID-19 May 27-June 24. Countries are classified by risk of transmission according to the incidence rate over the past four weeks: Very high risk of transmission Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Martin Trinidad and Tobago High risk of transmission Aruba Bahamas Bonaire British Virgin Islands Cuba Dominican Republic Guadeloupe Martinique Saint-Barthelemy Sint Maarten Saint Vincent and the Grenadines US Virgin Islands Saint Lucia Moderate risk of transmission Jamaica Puerto Rico Low risk of transmission Antigua and Barbuda Barbados Bermuda Cayman Islands Curacao Dominica Haiti Turks and Caicos Islands Background and Analysis COVID-19 is a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Human-to-human transmission does occur, primarily through respiratory droplets from infected individuals or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Symptoms occur 1-14 days following exposure (average of 3-7 days). These symptoms typically include fever, fatigue, and dry cough; less common symptoms include headache, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, reddening of the eyes, skin rash, or discoloration of the fingers or toes. Symptoms may worsen to difficulty breathing, pneumonia, and organ failure - especially in those with underlying, chronic medical conditions. Some infected individuals display no symptoms. Multiple variants of COVID-19 have been identified globally, some of which spread more easily between people. COVID-19 vaccines are being distributed to frontline workers and the elderly in some countries, while other vaccines are in varying stages of development and clinical trials; more data is required to determine the efficacy of vaccines against COVID-19 variants. Older individuals and people of any age with chronic medical conditions or compromised immunity should consider postponing nonessential travel, including domestic travel, and take special precautions to avoid becoming ill, especially where sustained community transmission of COVID-19 is ongoing. All individuals should monitor their health and limit interactions with others for 14 days after returning from travel. Advice Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease; however, several COVID-19 vaccines have been made available and distributed in some countries. Monitor government vaccination schedules, and get a government-approved vaccine when eligible and when it is offered. All individuals, including vaccinated individuals, should prioritize basic health precautions as long-term immunity against COVID-19 is still being investigated. Resources WHO coronavirus knowledge base WHO: Public health considerations while resuming international travel US CDC: Guidance for Businesses and Workplaces US CDC: Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities Mental Health Considerations during COVID-19 Outbreak US CDC: Manage Anxiety and Stress New England Journal of Medicine: COVID Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions Alert begins: 06/24/2021 Security Intelligence SECURITY Armed Conflict: Armed Conflict - Puerto Rico Puerto Rico maintains generally friendly relations with all states in the Americas. Although its status as part of the US technically involves it in numerous conflicts abroad, such conflicts never reaches the US mainland, much less the island's shores. Internal conflict is also not an issue for Puerto Rico. Civil Unrest: Civil Unrest generally poses a low threat in Puerto Rico Puerto Rico often sees unrest due to the particularly difficult political and economic circumstances facing the island; strikes and organized marches are the most common forms of protest. Labor strikes, depending upon their duration, do have the potential to disrupt essential services for visitors and islanders alike, but such events are generally non-violent. Political unrest frequently revolves around corruption, debt-related issues, austerity measures, unemployment, social welfare programs, and the US' relationship with the island, including the existence of the fiscal oversight board. Most protest events on the island are small in nature and rarely gain national traction. However, in mid-2019, the arrests of former government officials as well as leaked chats between then-Governor Ricky Rossello and others that contained discriminatory language and potentially illegal information-sharing resulted in an unprecedented two-week-long protest movement culminating in Rossello's resignation. While protests were mostly peaceful, there were some violent clashes between protesters and security forces in Old San Juan. The movement was historic in terms of both its longevity, its appeal across demographics, and its success in ultimately securing Rossello's resignation, which in turn may encourage other such movements in the future when public outrage is at play. Crime: Crime generally poses a moderate threat in Puerto Rico Puerto Rico is known for experiencing crime rates higher than those of most US states, including violent crime. The bulk of criminal incidents are opportunistic in nature and non-violent, often occurring in crowded areas and venues as well as on beaches when items are left unattended. Armed muggings are less common, but do occur in isolated areas and/or at night, including on beaches as well as in socioeconomically poorer parts of municipalities such as San Juan, Bayamon, and Ponce. Smaller islands, including Vieques and particularly Culebra, have much lower crime rates than the main island. Violent crime is principally directed