On April 7, 2020, the Governor of Puerto Rico, Wanda Vazquez Garced, issued Administrative Bulletin EO-2020-032 ordering certain exempted businesses under Executive Order EO-2020-029 to remain closed to the public from April 10 through April 12, 2020. This amendment was adopted as part of the Government of Puerto Rico’s effort to minimize non-essential social gatherings and prevent the spread of COVID-19 across the Island.
The following is a summary of EO-2020-032:
Certain businesses to remain closed during three-day weekend period
EO-2020-032 amends Section 5 of EO-2020-029 by requiring all businesses to remain closed to the public through a three-day period spanning from April 10, 2020 to April 12, 2020.
As an exception, the following businesses may remain open through this three-day period subject to specific restrictions stated below:
- Pharmacies – but only their prescription desk where medications and personal hygiene products may be sold;
- Gas Stations – but may only sell fuel and medications;
- Senior Care Centers;
- Organizations or groups that provide basic need services for economically disadvantaged persons, such as homeless shelters, food banks, etc.;
- Meal Services and Restaurants – but may only operate by drive-thru, carry-out or delivery
Markets, kiosks and supermarkets shall remain closed to the public through the three-day period, but may preform activities to clean, disinfect and manage merchandise.
Exempt businesses under previous Executive Orders 2020-023 and 2020-029 may continue to operate (i.e. hospitals, pharmaceuticals, national security, agriculture, and essential infrastructure related businesses.)
Businesses that distribute and supply products to exempted businesses under EO-2020-029 may continue operating during the three-day period, provided they engage only in the transportation, delivery and pickup of merchandise and goods.
Potential restart of certain commercial and labor activities
Section 2 of EO-2020-032 states that the Governor and the Government’s Medical and Economic Task Forces will consider the possibility of authorizing certain commercial and labor activities to resume their operations after April 12, 2020. This will most likely lead to the issuance of a new executive order sometime later this week. According to EO-2020-032, a determination on this matter will be timely notified so that relevant sectors may take the safety measures needed to control the virus’ spread.
The content of this McV Alert has been prepared for information purposes only. It is not intended as, and does not constitute, either legal advice or solicitation of any prospective client. An attorney-client relationship with McConnell Valdés LLC cannot be formed by reading or responding to this McV Alert. Such a relationship may be formed only by express agreement with McConnell Valdés LLC.
