On Jan.  27, 2026, the governor of Puerto Rico issued Executive Order 2026-005 (EO 2026-006), declaring a public health emergency and implementing an additional 5-day paid sick leave requirement for non-exempt employees due to an influenza outbreak on the Island.

Under 2026-005, non-exempt employees who have been diagnosed with or are suspected of having influenza are only entitled to the additional five paid working days of leave once accrued paid sick leave and any other paid leave entitlement (e.g. vacation) has been exhausted. 

A federal district court has postponed the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti pending further court action. TPS for Haiti would have expired effective Feb. 3, 2026.