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Although Gov. Pedro Pierluisi planned to lift the curfew, he announced yesterday that in his decision the recommendations of the Scientific Coalition, which gives him advice on how to manage the COVID-19 epidemic, are in effect. most restrictions and use caution in making business operations more flexible.
In his first response to this epidemic since taking office, Pierluisi limited himself to extend opening hours until 10 p.m., also on Sundays, as well as the opening of outdoor recreation areas.
“Although I would like to be more flexible and do away with curfew, and have received complaints from the people and the commercial sector for that, I have struck a good balance,” said the CEO at the second press conference he has since held in La Fortaleza. has offered. that he swore in his position
As of this Friday, when the new executive decree takes effect, citizens will have just three changes in terms of restrictions on their social, commercial and recreational lives to avoid contamination and deaths from COVID-19: the touch of It continues to be shortened by two hours and is now from 11pm to 5am; the commercial closure of Sundays was eliminated; and the beaches, parks and common areas may be used without crowds or consumption of alcoholic beverages.
This order in effect until February 7, although Pierluisi indicated that he can make changes if he sees fit. Especially if the responsiveness of hospitals is compromised, where 425 COVID-19 patients had been hospitalized since yesterday, 69 of them in intensive care and 74 on a ventilator.
Pierluisi admitted there were different kinds of pressures, as “the commercial sector was calling for major changes”. In fact, the executive director of the Association of Restaurants (ASORE), Gadiel Lebrón, told this newspaper that he hoped the changes to the executive decision that Pierluisi would make would be greater than the ones he ultimately announced. “We hoped it would give us 50% capacity. That would have been more flexible, because the space requirement of six feet cuts seating space in half or less in most restaurants, ”he said.
Lebrón recognized that the changes announced by Pierluisi could help improve the sector’s income, but are not enough for restaurants to recover from the blow they took in December. Therefore, he is confident that the governor will continue to make restrictions more flexible.
The Scientific Coalition, which Pierluisi appointed in November, has recommended not promoting “big changes”, as the positivity rate of tests conducted in Puerto Rico remains at 10%, which is double the level recommended by the World Organization for Health.
In its report, the coalition also warned that the festivities have significantly reduced the number of tests performed, which in turn limits the ability to analyze the situation.
In his daily situation report, Salud yesterday reported 57 new confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 and seven deaths from the disease.
However, the governor was emphatic that the executive order and trade restrictions are not the solution to the pandemic, and that his administration will strengthen the data system on positive cases and seek to speed up the distribution of vaccines.
Responding to inquiries from this newspaper, designated Health Minister Carlos Mellado said they hope to fulfill the forecast that vaccination will open to the population in March, “as long as vaccines continue to arrive.”
In the first phase, which applies to health professionals, about 50% of the vaccination is complete, Mellado indicates. Vaccinations for first responders such as police, firefighters and medical workers, as well as adults 65 and older, will begin next week. “Within this phase (1B), the possibility of vaccinating teachers and non-teaching workers is emerging,” Mellado added.
As for returning to classes, Pierluisi said they are continuing to plan the gradual reopening of the schools in March, but it will depend on “vaccinating all teachers” as well as teaching staff. “When they are all vaccinated, I am sure we will be able to open,” he replied to the press.
For his part, Mellado said that Salud was sending letters to some labs demanding that they improve the transfer of data so that they have the positivity rate information in real time.
The Ministry of Health released a report yesterday recommending that the maximum capacity of people visiting malls, shops and department stores be kept at 30% and that restaurants can “set up family centers with less than six people per table,” while the bars and hammocks can only offer food and drinks.
Regarding recreation, Salud recommended opening the beaches and allowing the use of boats to the extent that crowds of people from different family centers are prohibited. A limit of six people per group is requested on the beaches. He recommended keeping cinemas, theaters, casinos, public libraries, museums, and gaming centers closed.
The Scientific Coalition speaks
On the other hand, the chairman of the Scientific Coalition, Daniel Colón Ramos, assured the governor of consensus recommendations for future executive decisions. This coalition was appointed by Pierluisi on 23 November with the aim of making decisions based on data and scientific analysis.
“Our main observation is the recognition that the situation in Puerto Rico and worldwide is still very serious,” Colón Ramos said in written statements. While the coalition suggested that the order would not change substantially, they made recommendations to reopen recreational areas, such as beaches and parks, in recognition of the impact these restrictions have had on mental health.
Economic aid
On the other hand, Pierluisi, through the executive order, instructed the Minister of Finance, Francisco Parés Alicea, to present within 10 days a plan for the distribution of economic aid to companies that have suffered losses since March 15 last year. “Particular emphasis will be placed on bars and restaurants that had to be closed during the pandemic,” said the general manager.
The designated Secretary of Economic Development and Trade, Manuel Cidre, said that, in all likelihood, the first 15,000 small businesses requesting the aid will be affected.
“There must be some conditions that are important: number one, that they are companies that are included in the formal economy. A person who does not comply with the SUT and the regulations is unfortunately not eligible. The second is that there is a commitment to open the business. It’s not just taking the money and migrating; It’s taking the money, paying your rent for a time when this is happening to reopen the business, ”said Cidre.
The economic grant plan will be drawn up with a portion of the remaining $ 417 million in federal funds allocated to Puerto Rico through the Coronavirus Relief, Relief and Economic Security Act (Cares). The United States Congress allocated $ 787 million to Puerto Rico in its support package of measures for the coronavirus emergency.