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       Puerto Rico Influenza Health Emergency Triggers Special Paid
       Sick Leave
   DIR By: Masked Man
       Date: February 3, 2026, 1:41 pm
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       Puerto Rico Influenza Health Emergency Triggers Special Paid
       Sick Leave
       February 03, 2026
       SUMMARY:
       On January 27, 2026, Puerto Rico Governor Jennifer González
       Colón issued Executive Order 2026-005 declaring a public health
       national emergency due to epidemic-level influenza cases,
       effective immediately. The national emergency declaration
       activates the special five-day paid sick leave requirements
       under Puerto Rico law (Act No. 37-2020, which amends Puerto Rico
       Law 180 of July 27, 1998).
       The executive order followed Administrative Order 2026-627
       issued by the Puerto Rico Department of Health declaring
       influenza an epidemic on the island.
       KEY PROVISIONS FOR PRIVATE EMPLOYERS
       Trigger: The emergency declaration triggers the special
       five-day paid leave requirements and remains in effect until the
       national emergency has ended.
       Coverage: Applies to employees covered by Law 180 who have
       influenza or are suspected of having influenza during the
       emergency.
       Leave Entitlement: After the covered employee exhausts
       accrued sick leave and other available leave, employers must
       provide up to five additional days of paid sick leave to
       employees who have influenza or are suspected of having
       influenza during the emergency.
       No Discipline Based on Leave: As with other protected sick
       leave, absences due to influenza or the special emergency leave
       should not be treated as grounds for discipline, such as
       suspensions or termination.
       LINK:
  HTML https://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2026/02/puerto-rico-influenza-health-emergency-triggers-special-paid-sick-leave
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