Puerto Rico expands booster shot requirements

Catch up quick: The new measures follow other recent steps taken by the governor to stymie the spread of COVID-19, including delaying the opening of public schools by two weeks and requiring boosters for those in the food, health and education sectors, per AP.

The big picture: While more than 70% of Puerto Rico's total population has been fully vaccinated against the virus, only about 40% of people have received their booster shots, per AP.

• The booster shot requirement will apply to people who work in hotels, cinemas, and convention centers, among other sectors, Pierluisi tweeted.
• The requirement will also apply to college and technical degree students. Those with medical or religious exemptions will be required to be tested every week, he added.
• "I trust our people and I know they will respond to this call to continue to protect us," he concluded.

Worth noting: Pierluisi also ordered the extension of current public health restrictions for another two weeks on Thursday.

• Until Feb. 2 most businesses will be ordered to close from midnight to 5am, and those that remain open will be prohibited from selling alcohol.
• Businesses serving food or drinks indoors must maintain a 50% capacity, and beginning Jan. 17, public venues like supermarkets and shopping malls will be limited to 75% capacity.