Puerto Rico's beaches, casinos, gyms and theaters will reopen Sept. 12, according to an executive order signed by Gov. Wanda Vazquez.
The order is in place until Oct. 2 when the situation will be re-evaluated.
The reopenings follow a recent drop in Covid-19 cases and deaths, according to the governor.
Visitors to public beaches and nature preserves must follow social distancing guidelines and masks must be worn when not in the water. However, competitive games such as volleyball and other sports activities are not allowed on the beaches.
Museums will operate at 50% capacity; hotel pools will be open at 25% capacity, and malls, retail stores and restaurants are limited to 50% capacity.
Bars, cafes and discos remain closed, although theaters, casinos and gyms can open at 25% capacity.
An island-wide curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. remains in effect, although the lockdown will be lifted on Sundays.
Visitors to Puerto Rico must complete an online travel declaration (www.travelsafe.pr.gov), produce results of a negative Covid test taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure and self-quarantine at their own expense upon arrival for 14 days or the length of the visit, whichever is shorter.
Dr. Jose Rodriguez Orengo with the Puerto Rico Public Health Trust told the Associated Press that the situation had recently improved. "It's all going to depend on people's behavior to maintain that," he said.
According to the AP report, Vazquez said there were about 3,900 fewer Covid-19 cases since Aug. 22, compared with the nearly four weeks prior.
Many business owners applauded the changes, the report said. But some of the changes worried independent health experts, who are concerned about future Covid spikes.
The country paused its reopening strategy in late July after Covid cases rose.