The governor of Puerto Rico has issued Executive Order No. OE-2023-012, ending the state of emergency declared in 2020 due to the pandemic caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and repealing multiple Executive Orders issued to adopt preventive measures because of COVID-19. OE-2023-012, signed on May 11, 2023, went into effect immediately.

Accordingly, employers are no longer required to provide to non-exempt employees who have or are suspected of having COVID-19 the five-day special paid leave due to emergencies declared by the Government of Puerto Rico, under Law No. 180-1987 as amended by Law No. 37-2020. Pursuant to Law No. 37-2020, in the event the Puerto Rico government or secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Health declares a state of emergency in the future related to a disease or illness, the special paid leave will be available.

Jackson Lewis attorneys are closely monitoring updates and changes to legal requirements and guidance and are available to help employers weed through the complexities.