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Puerto Rico relaxes entry requirements and expands dining capacity

Jan. 30, 2022
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3 min read
Sunet from the Coronado Ocean Club in San Juan, Puerto Rico May 2021. (Photo by Clint Henderson:The Points Guy)
Puerto Rico relaxes entry requirements and expands dining capacity
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Puerto Rico is further relaxing its rules around coronavirus in good news for the tourism business there.

Vaccinated travelers to Puerto Rico on domestic flights will no longer have to present a negative COVID-19 test on arrival starting Feb. 2. Unvaccinated visitors will still have to present a negative test that was taken no more than 48 hours before landing, but they can skip the mandatory seven-day quarantine.

Remember since PR is a U.S. territory, you don't have to have a negative test when you fly home.

If travelers arrive in Puerto Rico and did not take a COVID-19 test before departure, they have 48 hours to do so. They need to remain in quarantine until the results are available. If the COVID-19 test is positive, then they need to quarantine for 10 days. If negative, then they can be released from quarantine.

Restaurant capacity will also change on Feb. 2 from 50% to 75% for indoor dining, and outdoor dining areas will be able to operate at full capacity. Bars are still limited to 50% capacity. Large scale events can be held at 50% capacity, and there is no longer a limit of 250 guests. Masks are required indoors.

Current COVID-19 situation

Calle San Justo in Puerto Rico. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)

The relaxed entry requirements are due to a decline in the number of cases being reported on the island. The most recent 7-day average of positive cases in Puerto Rico was 22,690, according to the World Health Organization.

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Like many places, the rules to enter Puerto Rico have been changing as the virus peaked and surged. In May 2021, the island dropped its testing requirement for visitors who were vaccinated. But it was put back in place in December 2021 following the omicron surge.

COVID-19 rules for Puerto Rico

(Photo by Wyatt Smith/The Points Guy)

Passengers arriving in Puerto Rico are required to fill out a Travel Declaration Form and upload their vaccination record if they have one on the Puerto Rico Health Department's site. If you aren't vaccinated, you will need to upload a PCR molecular or antigen COVID-19 test. You will get a QR code that you present with ID to get through the airport. If you aren't vaccinated or don't have a negative test, you have two days to take a test.

Travelers arriving on international flights will still have to present a negative COVID test taken within one day of departure along with proof of vaccination. Non-U.S. citizens or long-term residents need to show proof of being fully vaccinated before traveling to the U.S. There are fines or penalties for not following requirements.

(Photo by Wyatt Smith/The Points Guy)
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.