Cayman Islands: Authorities likely to maintain current coronavirus disease-related restrictions until at least mid-January /update 16

Health officials in the Cayman Islands likely to maintain existing coronavirus disease-related restrictions until at least mid-January.

Event

Health officials will likely maintain existing restrictions until at least mid-January as part of ongoing efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Travel Restrictions
Travelers permitted to enter the Cayman Islands include Caymanian citizens and permanent residents, work permit holders, residential property owners, student visa holders, persons with close family ties to residents or work permit holders, and other individuals with approval from authorities.

Additional entry requirements and quarantine measures are being enforced for approved travelers, as of Jan. 4:

All persons wishing to enter the Cayman Islands are required to apply to TravelTime for pre-approval by completing an online form.
All arriving passengers aged five years and older will be subject to COVID-19 testing at the airport.
All incoming travelers must quarantine for at least 14 days; travelers will then need to take another polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test on day 15 and receive a negative result and approval from health authorities to end their quarantine.
Travelers may quarantine at home or in a hotel, wearing a geofencing monitoring device, or agree to isolation in a government facility. Persons can travel between Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac islands without the need to get tested or quarantine.

Domestic restrictions
Individuals must wear facemasks while riding public or private transportation, as well as when in certain indoor public spaces. Public gatherings are limited to 250 people, and processions and festive ceremonies remain canceled. Businesses can operate without capacity limitations as long as they do not have more than 250 people simultaneously within their facilities.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.