Cayman Islands: Authorities update COVID-19 measures June 7 /update 4

Event

Authorities announce additional measures and updates to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) measures for the Cayman Islands on Sunday, June 7, which will continue until at least Monday, June 22. On Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac, a "hard" curfew is in effect between 22:00 and 04:30 (local time). All movement is restricted during these hours, except for persons considered to be essential staff. There is currently no hard curfew in place on Little Cayman. An additional shelter-in-place "soft" curfew has been implemented on Grand Cayman between 04:30 and 22:00 whereby individuals are permitted to limited movement to conduct essential tasks only.

On Grand Cayman, there is a ban on public gatherings and meetings of six people or more until further notice, excluding at hospitals, pharmacies, and supermarkets. Individuals found to be violating the ban may be fined up to CI$1000 or face six months imprisonment. On Cayman Brac, authorities announced that leisure, recreational, faith, service club, community, and civic organizations will be permitted to host meetings with no more than 25 persons. Further, sporting events, concerts, parades, conventions, conferences, graduations, and fundraisers may also be held with no more than 25 persons. Processions and festive ceremonies remain prohibited until further notice on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac. As of Monday, June 1, there is no restriction on processions, festive ceremonies, or public gatherings on Little Cayman.

Social distancing measures should be observed at all times; individuals are required to remain at least 2m (6ft) from any other persons indoors and in public spaces, including workplaces (unless from the same household). Some workplaces have reopened including retail shops and building sites. All educational facilities are closed and will remain closed for the rest of the academic year.

Individuals are required to wear face masks in public places, including indoors in places such as supermarkets, banks, gas stations, and retail businesses. They should also be worn when providing or using taxi services, public transport services, or while within an enclosed or semi-enclosed waiting area for the transport service. Bus services are allowed to operate at a 50 percent capacity and taxi services may operate with a two-passenger limit. 

Restaurants and bars are permitted to operate for outdoor dining with table service only and limited capacity; tables are required to be 2.5m (8ft) apart for a maximum of six people. Establishments including spas, gyms, hairdressers, and public swimming pools remain closed. Strata pools and tennis courts are allowed to operate, as long as social distancing measures and hygiene measures are obeyed.

Inter-island travel between Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman by air and sea continues for essential purposes only, i.e. to provide essential services or for medical emergency purposes. Individuals traveling to Grand Cayman from the Sister Islands will be required to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine period at a government facility. Reports indicate that all boats are limited to up to six people. Further in Grand Cayman, hiring or travelling on a boat sailing between the islands is only permitted to transport freight, import and distribute seafood, or transport persons carrying out essential services.

All airports in the Cayman Islands are closed until further notice to all inbound and outbound international passenger flights, as of April 15. Couriers, cargo flights, and air ambulance services are exempt and continue to operate. 

As of June 12, there are 187 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and one associated fatality in the Cayman Islands. Further international spread of the virus is expected over the coming days and weeks.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.