Cayman Islands: Authorities likely to maintain COVID-19-related international travel restrictions through April /update 19

Event

Authorities in the Cayman Islands are likely to maintain the partial border closure through at least the end of April as part of the territory's ongoing COVID-19 response. Most nonresident foreign nationals remain banned from entry; only 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 are permitted to enter.

Most international travel protocols remain unchanged; however, effective March 22, officials will reduce the mandatory quarantine period to 10 days (instead of 14) for arrivals who have completed a valid vaccination program at least two weeks prior to traveling to the Cayman Islands.

Other existing entry requirements and quarantine measures included:

• All persons wishing to travel the Cayman Islands must apply for pre-approval using the Travel Cayman online portal.

• All travelers aged 10 years or older must provide proof of a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure for the Cayman Islands; this documentation must be submitted at the airport prior to boarding.

• All incoming passengers aged five years or older must take a COVID-19 test upon arrival at Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM).

• All incoming travelers without a valid vaccination must quarantine for at least 14 days; travelers will then need to take another COVID-19 PCR 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 to quarantine.

Domestically, most major pandemic-related restrictions have been lifted. Individuals must wear facemasks while riding public or private transportation, as well as when in certain indoor public spaces. Indoor public gatherings are limited to 500 people, while outdoor gatherings are limited to 1,000 people. Businesses can continue to operate without capacity limitations as long as they do not have more than 500 people simultaneously within their facilities.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, tighten, 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.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
Cayman Islands - COVID-19 Guidelines
TravelTime Applications