Puerto Rico requiring boosters for public school students, workers in tourism, entertainment

Puerto Rico will require the COVID-19 booster shot for public school students above the age of 12 and those working in the tourism and entertainment industries as the island faces a spike in cases.

Gov. Pedro Pierluisi (D) unveiled the requirements, which will begin on Feb. 15, in a Thursday announcement, The Associated Press reported.

Only 40 percent of Puerto Ricans have received the booster, though more than 70 percent of people in the U.S. territory are fully vaccinated, according to the AP.

“We cannot let our guard down,” Pierluisi said.

The governor also announced other COVID-19 restrictions.

All public and private venues will only be allowed to be at 75 percent capacity, and most businesses will be required to be closed between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. for another two weeks, the AP reported. 

Businesses also won’t be allowed to sell alcohol during those hours if they are open.

Pierluisi previously announced that the reopening of public schools in the territory would be delayed for an additional two weeks and that booster shots would be required for those in the health and education industries, per the AP.

Cases spiked in Puerto Rico at the beginning of January after a superspreader concert caused 2,000 people in the territory to get COVID-19.