Washington – The President of the United States, Donald Trump, declared Puerto Rico a major disaster area because of the emergency caused by the coronavirus.
The legislation facilitates the Puerto Rico government’s access to funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for emergency measures. Trump’s statement indicates that the pandemic started on January 20, 2020.
Previously, it had signed a similar statement for 12 states.
Puerto Rico authorities have confirmed 79 cases of coronavirus on the island, and three deaths. Of a total of 932 virus detection tests, authorities are still waiting for 332 results.
Last Tuesday, Governor Vázquez Garced reported that she had submitted to FEMA a request to the federal government to obtain assistance for mental health services and unemployment assistance, due to the impact of the coronavirus.
Then, Vázquez Garced claimed that the application included a 100% grant for jobs under category B of the FEMA Public Assistance program, under the federal Stafford Act.
“Puerto Ricans, the island’s first responders, local officials, and volunteer organizations have done their best with long hours. Voluntary organizations, in particular, suffer from exhaustion and see little financial contribution that reaches them to assist citizens in their respective areas. Therefore, it is our priority to provide them with the necessary tools to overcome this emergency, ”said the governor.
Previously, Trump had declared the states of New York, California, Washington, New Jersey, Louisiana, Illinois, Maryland, Florida, Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, and South Carolina a major disaster area.
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