Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vázquez confirmed she will extend Puerto Rico’s lockdown — which calls for the closure of most businesses — and will make changes to the previously established curfew in Executive Order 2020-023 to add two more hours. The lockdown will be extended until April 12, stepping up government efforts to curb the […]
The Estudios Técnicos analysis firm estimated that based on the information it had as of Wednesday, sectors of Puerto Rico’s economy directly affected by the lockdown in place to fight the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19 will suffer a loss of $2.7 billion in direct economic activity during the remainder of 2020. That may in […]
A survey conducted by A&Answers this week revealed that, among other things, 80% of Puerto Rico residents are very worried about the spread of the COVID-19 virus and only 53% feels prepared to protect themselves against the disease. The conclusions were part of the “How does Puerto Rico feel about the current coronavirus situation?” which […]
The Federal Communications Commission’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau granted “special temporary authority” to carrier AT&T to use additional spectrum to serve Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands during the coronavirus pandemic. The FCC is granting AT&T access to the AWS-4 spectrum, currently licensed to DISH, for 60 days to expand its network capacity to meet expected […]
Two local grocers — SuperMax and Ralph’s — announced they will be outfitting their cash registers with protective acrylic panes to try to curb the coronavirus COVID-19 contagion between employees and clients. SuperMax will install their panes today at five registers per store to start, as well as the customer service desk, with plans to […]
Puerto Rico-based financial institution, Oriental, announced that starting Mar. 30, it will only offer service at 41 branches that are operating during special hours, to customers who request an appointment through its website. Services will be offered until 1 p.m., the bank said. “For Oriental, the most important thing right now is the health of […]
The U.S. Census Bureau published the most recent data from the Annual Population Estimates for municipalities in Puerto Rico, which shows that from April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2019, seven towns lost at least 20% of its residents. According to the percentage change in the estimates, the seven municipalities that reflected this level of […]
Puerto Rico’s already-battered economy stands to lose between $3 billion and $3.9 billion during a month-long lockdown and as much as $10.1 billion if the period stretches to three months, according to a study released by ABEXUS Analytics. The local startup that specializes in using analytics-related technology to help businesses connect data and the performance […]
The College of Engineers and Surveyors of Puerto Rico offered the government Task Force assistance to treat and contain the effects of COVID-19 by helping to provide medical facilities quickly to meet the expected increased demand for hospital services, which has been the global challenge to deal with the virus. “It’s evident that the countries […]
Employment in Puerto Rico’s only large county, the municipality of San Juan, increased 1.7% from September 2018 to September 2019, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics confirmed. Large counties are defined as those with 2018 annual average employment of 75,000 or more. Chief Regional Economist Martin Kohli noted that in September 2019, San Juan’s employment […]
Triple-S Salud announced the launch of “Triple-S at Home,” a platform that allows members of its commercial and Medicare Advantage plans to order, manage and schedule home delivery of their prescription drugs through a mobile application. The launch moved ahead of schedule in response to the COVID-19 outbreak to give members an additional option to […]
Puerto Rico-based nonprofit organization Solo Por Hoy Inc. has received a $125,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as part of a $40 million assignment from the agency to fair housing organizations working to confront violations of the nation’s landmark Fair Housing Act and help end housing discrimination. The grants are […]
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking applications for grants to make housing repairs for low- and very-low-income rural residents. The grants are being provided through USDA’s Housing Preservation Grant program. Last year, Puerto Rico received $599,846.81 through the program, which benefited the towns of Barceloneta, Juncos, Patillas, Las Marías, Moca, Jayuya and San Sebastián, USDA […]
Looking to boost growing local businesses, the Fundación Mochileando 100×35, sister organization to Puerto Rico’s most far-reaching travel blog, Mochileando, launched the “Despega tus sueños” (“Let your dreams soar”) initiative, to award $5,000 to two budding entrepreneurs. Wilson Santiago, travel blogger and president of the nonprofit organization, explained that this program is relevant right now, […]
International Hospitality Enterprises confirmed the temporary lay-off of “a great part of its team,” estimated at about 1,600 people. IHE President José M. Suárez said, “In the face of the global crisis caused by the coronavirus, and the economic impact and uncertainty that it generates for the tourism and hospitality industry in Puerto Rico, we […]
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