The Puerto Rico Department of Consumer Affairs has issued a new set of rules that condominium residents must abide by during the COVID-19 lockdown and curfew, agency Secretary Carmen Salgado confirmed. The new conditions included in Order 2020-010 seek to respond to several complaints filed at the agency known as DACO about “extreme measures” adopted […]
The U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of Treasury announced the start of the $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program, to provide relief to millions of small businesses so they can sustain their businesses and keep their workers employed. “This unprecedented public-private partnership is going to assist small businesses with accessing capital quickly. Our […]
Following two weeks of producing and distributing high-proof alcohol as a preventive measure against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic on the island, Destilería Serrallés, Inc. has donated more than 55,000 gallons of this product to hospitals, clinics, healthcare providers, public safety and security personnel for disinfection and sanitization purposes. “Since Mar. 17, the distillery has processed hundreds of […]
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development announced that the agency has extended the deadline for ReConnect Pilot Program applications to April 15. “In light of the COVID-19 National Emergency, USDA is extending the application deadline for round two of ReConnect Pilot Program funding to give rural businesses, cooperatives, and communities extra time to apply […]
The Department of Economic Development and Commerce and the Treasury Department have reached an agreement so that those people who do business individually and have employees may receive an economic incentive of up to $1,500 — the same as a small and medium-sized company — to compensate for losses related to the COVID-19 emergency. The […]
Looking to support projects that facilitate knowledge about the development and control measures available for the COVID-19 virus, the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust has created the COVID-19 RAPID Grant, with a total of $500,000 through its Research Grants Program. The Science Trust expects to award five grants of $100,000 each, the entity […]
The management of Apple Caribe, operators of Puerto Rico’s seven Applebee’s restaurants announced the temporary closure of the eateries, affecting 465 employees. Lizmarie Medina, chief marketing officers of the company, said “we’re putting a pause on our operations. This unprecedented historical moment of constant changes forces us to make the decision to close temporarily.” The […]
Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vázquez signed a new executive order establishing an extended lockdown and curfew period through April 12, escalating the fight to contain the local spread of the coronavirus COVID-19. The new order, which goes into effect today, confirms who can be on the roads and when, and businesses that may partially open […]
Nilus, a startup that promotes health and sustainable food for low-income populations, confirmed it has been actively responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in Puerto Rico, where it has been delivering goods to nonprofits. Since establishing its project in Puerto Rico in November 2019, it has participated in several “rescue” missions, collecting surplus products, such as […]
Illinois-based drugstore chain Walgreens will be giving its employees in stores and distributions centers a one-time bonus payment in recognition of the role they are playing during the COVID-19 pandemic, and “for their ongoing commitment to customer care, the company announced a one-time bonus for these employees.” In Puerto Rico, that means some 4,000 Walgreens […]
The USDA Caribbean Climate Hub at the International Institute of Tropical Forestry, in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture, developed an online tool to visualize annual agricultural production data across Puerto Rico. Climate Hub Director William Gould explained that the data displayed by the Agricultural Statistics tool is an interactive platform which shows […]
Total Petroleum Puerto Rico will donate $30,000 in gasoline cards to hospitals in Puerto Rico so that their hospital staff may have access to gas during the emergency period caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. Total Petroleum Puerto Rico will donate $50 cards to 600 hospital staff, will be available while the assigned funds last, said Juan José Raga, general […]
Gov. Wanda Vázquez over the weekend signed off on an economic aid package for Puerto Rico’s individuals and businesses whose finances have been affected by a lockdown and 24/7 curfew in effect since Mar. 15, to contain the coronavirus COVID-19 spread. The first $500 million in assistance from the Emergency Measure Support Package that will […]
Based on continuing assessments of guidance from federal, state and local health authorities, the U.S. Census Bureau announced it is suspending 2020 Census field operations for two additional weeks to April 15, 2020. “The Census Bureau is taking this step to help protect the health and safety of the American public, Census Bureau employees, and […]
Two of Puerto Rico’s main banks unveiled different measures over the weekend to help customers whose finances have been affected by the lockdown and mandatory curfew in place since Mar. 15, offering moratoriums and online help. FirstBank announced automatic stays on loan payments, offering qualifying clients the benefit for the months of April, May and […]
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