Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia on the new executive order: “I sought a fine balance”

this order will be in effect until February 7th, Although Pierluisi has indicated that he will be able to make changes if he deems it necessary. Especially if the response capacity of the hospitals is compromised, which as of yesterday had 425 COVID-19 patients hospitalized, of which 69 were in intensive care and 74, with respirator.

Pierluisi admitted that there were different pressures, as “the commercial sector called for major changes.” In fact, the executive director of the Association of Restaurants (ASORE), Gadiel Lebrón, expressed to this newspaper that he was hopeful that the changes in the executive order that Pierluisi would make were greater than those he finally announced. “We expected it to have given us a 50% capacity. This would have been more flexible because the required six feet of distance reduces the accommodation space by half or less in most restaurants,” he argued.

Lebrón acknowledged that the changes announced by Pierluisi may help improve revenue in the sector, but they are not enough for restaurants to recover from the blow they received in December. Therefore, he is confident that the governor will continue to make the restrictions more flexible.

The Scientific Coalition, which Pierluisi appointed in November, recommended that it not promote “major changes” because the positivity rate of tests conducted in Puerto Rico remains at 10%, which is twice the level recommended by the World Health Organization.

In its report, the coalition also warned that the festivities have significantly reduced the number of tests performed, which in turn is a limitation on the ability to analyze the situation.

In its daily status report, Health 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 be strengthening the system of data on positive cases, and will try to expedite the distribution of vaccines. .

Asked by the newspaper, Health Secretary-General Carlos Mellado said they hope to meet the projection that vaccination will be open to the entire population in March, “as long as vaccines continue to arrive.” .

Of the first phase, which applies to health professionals, approximately 50% of the vaccination has been completed, Mellado said. Vaccination of first responders, such as police, firefighters and emergency medical workers, as well as adults over the age of 65, will begin next week. “Within this phase (the 1B), the possibility of vaccinating teachers and non-teaching staff is being envisioned,” Mellado added.

On the return to classes, Pierluisi mentioned that they continue to plan the gradual reopening of school grounds for March, but it will depend on “we have all teachers vaccinated,” as well as teaching staff. “When they are all vaccinated, I am sure we will be in a (open) position,” he replied to the press.

For his part, Mellado mentioned that Salut sent letters to some laboratories demanding that they improve the transmission of data, in order to have the information of the rate of positivity in real time.

The Department of Health issued a report yesterday in which they recommended maintaining the maximum capacity of people visiting malls, retail stores and department stores by 30% and that restaurants can sit “families with less than six people per table “, while bars and chinchorros can only offer takeaway food and drink.

With regard to recreation, Salut recommended opening the beaches and allowing the use of boats to the extent that crowds of people from different families are prohibited. On the beaches, a limit of six people per group is requested. He recommended keeping cinemas, theaters, casinos, public libraries, museums and gaming centers closed.

The Scientific Coalition speaks

On the other hand, the president of the Scientific Coalition, Daniel Colom Ramos, assured that they delivered to the governor consensus recommendations for future executive orders. This coalition was appointed by Pierluisi on November 23, with the goal of making decisions based on data and scientific analysis.

“Our main observation is the recognition that the situation remains very serious in Puerto Rico and globally,” Colom Ramos expressed in written statements. Although the coalition’s suggestion was that the order not change substantially, they made recommendations to reopen leisure spaces, such as beaches and parks, in recognition of the impact these restrictions have had on mental health.

financial assistance

On the other hand, through the executive order, Pierluisi ordered the Secretary of Finance, Francisco Parés Alicea, to present in 10 days a plan for the distribution of financial assistance to businesses that have had losses since March 15 from last year. “Particular emphasis will be given to bars and restaurants that have had to keep closed during the pandemic,” the chief executive said.

The designated Secretary of Economic Development and Trade, Manuel Cidre, mentioned that, in all probability, it will be possible to impact the first 15,000 small businesses that apply for the aid.

“There must be some conditions that are important: number one, that they are businesses inserted in the formal economy. A person who does not comply with the IVU and regulations, unfortunately does not qualify. The second is that there is a commitment “It’s not just about taking the money and migrating, it’s about taking the money, paying your rent for a time in which this happens to reopen the business,” Cider said.

The economic subsidy plan will be developed with part of the surplus of $ 417 million of federal funds allocated to Puerto Rico through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (Cares, in English). The U.S. Congress has allocated $ 787 million to Puerto Rico in the package of support measures for the coronavirus emergency.