The Health Department has been unable to specify how many rapid tests it has conducted nor their results. Mistakes, delays, overpaying, questionable interventions, bureaucracy and deals between officials and suppliers with political ties have characterized the government’s procurement efforts to confront the epidemic. The latter adds to an already difficult situation in which Puerto Rico […]
Professional services firm Aon revealed the results of a recent study about labor practices during the COVID-19 emergency, which revealed new challenges related to employee management and labor practices to ensure business continuity in response to the crisis. According to the report, 56% of companies expect to resume normal operations between April and May, while […]
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic affecting Puerto Rico, financial institution FirstBank launched its newest campaign, entitled “The Call,” to show appreciation for members of the general public who “are doing their best, day in and day out, to meet the basic needs of our people as we undergo Puerto Rico’s worst health crisis.” […]
Distance education company Self Learning Solutions Tech announced it has begun offering free orientation courses on COVID-19 aimed at health professionals, service industry, restaurants, hotels and businesses in general. Courses are available anytime, from anywhere. “Within the pandemic we’re experiencing, it’s more important than ever to adapt and take advantage of online courses that will […]
Preventive measures such as constant handwashing and social distancing between people to stop the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) should be coupled with maintaining a healthy work environment to protect staff and guarantee business continuity, an expert on indoor environment quality and sanitation said. Overall, it is essential that employers practice disinfecting high-contact surfaces, said […]
Responding to suggestions from the Medical Task Force she appointed, Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vázquez announced over the weekend the signing of a new Executive Order establishing an extension to the lockdown and 24/7 curfew through May 3. Executive Order 2020-33 eliminates license plates restrictions and extends the period during the day during which authorized […]
As part of its efforts to continue offering services to the public during the COVID-19 emergency, the Wilma N. Vázquez in Vega Baja Hospital has invested some $500,000 to establish the COVID SE Unit, separate from the institution’s emergency room, hospital officials said. Hospital Board Chairman José Orlando Pabón, said “the goal of this strategy […]
Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vázquez sent a letter to Congressional leadership urging them to include and treat Puerto Rico equal to U.S. mainland jurisdictions in the stimulus package currently being drafted in response to the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak. The letter outlined several government priorities to be able to continue responding to the global COVID-19 pandemic. In […]
Seeking to add “greater visibility and access” to detailed information on the behavior of COVID-19 on the island, the Puerto Rico Health Secretary Lorenzo González, unveiled the agency’s digital dashboard that presents the official figures and behavior of the virus on the island. This tool promotes the development of the capacities needed to increase the […]
Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation San Juan Field Office, Rafael A. Riviere-Vázquez, is asking citizens to report fraud and scams related to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re facing an unprecedented event in Puerto Rico and in the United States. We know the anxiety and uncertainty this provokes, and we know it, […]
New car sales in Puerto Rico reflected a 66% year-over-year drop in March, slammed by the strict emergency measures in place to contain the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19 virus, industry officials confirmed. The United Automobile Importers Group, known as GUIA in Spanish, confirmed that 3,154 units were sold in March, compared to 9,309 new […]
Given with the challenge that employers in Puerto Rico are facing due to the health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Economic Development and Commerce is earmarking $8 million in federal funds to reimburse up to 160 employers for certain expenses. Economic Development Secretary Manuel A. Laboy Rivera said the funding will […]
The Puerto Rico Public Health Trust, a program created by the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust, announced a request for proposals for local researchers working address the public health challenges in the face of the COVID-19 epidemic, among other issues of public health relevance that affect local communities. The call closes April 24 […]
JetBlue announced it will temporarily consolidate operations in five major metropolitan areas in the U.S between April 15 and June 10. The revised schedules are aimed at reducing excess flying during a time of unprecedented low demand for air travel while maintaining a critical level of service across the airline’s network for those who absolutely […]
Puerto Rico’s economy will experience a net direct impact of some $4.8 billion through the end of 2020 as a result of the measures taken to fight the spread of the COVID-19 virus — which could have been as high as $8.2 billion, had the blow not been softened by local and federal relief packages. […]
A Dow Jones/Factiva content provider since 2014
Subscribe to our Dollars & Sense podcast!
NIMB ON SOCIAL MEDIA