Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands is currently following a "soft curfew" during the day from Monday to Saturday from 5am to 8pm followed by a "hard curfew" from 8pm to 5am daily and all day on Sunday, i.e. 8pm on Saturday evening through 5am the following Monday morning.

The soft curfew allows the population limited movement to conduct essential tasks and builds on previous meeting bans enacted by Government under the Public Health Law (2002 Revision).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all eager to carry on with our lives and livelihoods. Unfortunately we are not operating in a “business as usual” situation. There are special rules that apply to us all during this crisis. Some of those rules are embodied in the Public Health Regulations, which are intended to prevent, control and suppress the transmission of COVID-19. All violations are being strictly enforced by the RCIPS. To that end, only essential businesses are allowed to operate at this time.

If those businesses have applied for an exemption, and received a permit, they are allowed to operate - subject to the provisions of the regulations.

Employees of these essential businesses need to be issued with a letter from their employer, stating that they are an essential staff member.

Applications for exemption for an essential business will receive a response within 48 hours. All businesses applying for an exemption must also hold a trade and business license.

You may engage in outdoor exercise, which includes walking your pet. This may be done alone or together with one family member living at the same residence, for no more than an hour-and-a-half each day, between the hours of 5:15am and 7pm Monday to Saturday. You may not drive to your exercise location. Read more

All beaches are closed until 15th May. No activities of any kind will be allowed. Persons who live on property with beach access are not allowed beyond the high water mark of their property.

This restriction has been imposed by the Commissioner of Police and will be strictly enforced. Read more

Workforce Opportunities & Residency Cayman answers frequently asked questions on April 15. Read more

The Office of the Ombudsman is aware of concerns that individuals are seeking to identify, and even publicly expose, people who are infected with COVID-19. Aside from the moral, ethical and societal implications surrounding the stigma associated with naming and shaming another human being, there are legal implications if sensitive personal data is made public. Read more.

Homemade masks can be useful when acting as a partial barrier to stop droplet spread of the virus responsible for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). That said, we must be cautious when considering using them as protection against the transmission of COVID-19 cannot be guaranteed. Read more

If you have an urgent need to travel between the Cayman Islands and any other destination, please click here to submit your information using our new online tool. Alternatively, contact 244-3333 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm or email emergencytravel@gov.ky.

Stay home as much as possible and only leave for essential trips in accordance with restrictions on movement by curfew and by last name. Local supplies are not running short. Only essential trips by one member of the household should be considered and children should stay home. Read more

Even though we may be limited in our movements and practicing social distancing to stay safe, you can still stay connected to your Cayman Community. Learn about what's happening with your neighbours and the community at large. Also you can share your community ideas, activities and events by using #StayingHomeIsCaymanKind on your social posts.

Click to Join in Now!

Read more on the jingle open call results here.

Amendments to the National Pensions Law were passed in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, 23 April 2020 to provide for a pension holiday from 1 April to 30 September 2020 or such later date as may be appointed by Order made by the Cabinet. Qualifying pension plan members may also withdraw funds from their account subject to certain provisions. Read more.

Referred to as "Shelter in Place", the daytime "soft" curfew Monday to Saturday allows reasonable movement of persons between 5am and 8pm for essential activities such as access to supermarkets, pharmacies and banks.

Access to pharmacies and healthcare facilities are not restricted by last name. However, adults with the last name beginning in A through K will be allowed to conduct other essential travel to public places such as supermarkets and banks on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Adults with the last name beginning in L through Z will be allowed to conduct such essential travel on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and to banks on Fridays. These provisions are in place across all three Islands. Individuals with hyphenated or multiple surnames should use the first letter of the first surname.

Persons are also allowed to exercise outdoors - including walking a pet - for up to 90 minutes between 5:15am and 7pm either alone or with one other person who is a member of the same residence. You may not drive to your exercise location.

No activities of any kind will be allowed in the water, along the coastline up to the high water mark, or on any public beach. There is no exception for exercise, including swimming, walking, jogging, or line fishing from the shore or a dock.

Read more on Curfew & Social Distancing

Public transportation services are currently suspended and bus depots are closed.

Taxis are limited to no more than 2 passengers to ensure each passenger is able to distance himself or herself as far as possible from the other passenger and the driver.

In addition to Shelter in Place "soft" curfew regulations, the "hard" curfew remains in effect from 8pm in the evening until 5am in the morning each day and for 24 hours on Sundays, i.e. from 8pm on Saturday evening through 5am the following Monday morning.

Persons are required to remain in their homes and premises during these "hard" curfew hours unless the Commissioner of Police has exempted them from doing so in writing.

Read more on Curfew & Social Distancing

No more than 2 persons who are not members of the same household are allowed to gather in public for any reason. Private parties which include any person from outside of the immediate household are banned and private strata pools, strata gyms and playgrounds are to be closed.

Health care facilities, supermarkets, convenience stores and mini-marts, pharmacies, retail banks, building societies, credit unions and gas stations are exempt from the ban on public gatherings. However, the owner or operator must restrict the number of customers in order to maintain social distancing. No matter the size, convenience stores and mini-marts are limited to no more than 6 customers at any time.

Weddings are not to include 10 or more people other than the bride, groom, official witnesses and the marriage officer. Funerals are only allowed to be attended by up to 10 members of the immediate family, 6 pallbearers, at least 1 officiant, and essential mortuary staff.

While workplaces are not considered public places, only essential operations are open and even essential staff must work remotely at home if they are able.

Read more on Public Gathering Bans & School Closures

Only essential establishments, institutions, businesses, organisations and offices are allowed to be open and hours are restricted. Non-exempt operations must also comply with the ban on gatherings of more than 2 people (not including staff).

Restaurants are only to provide drive-through services, take out, delivery, or curb side collection of food. Food may only be collected from restaurants until 7pm. Delivery services are only allowed to operate until 10 pm.

There are no exceptions to the requirement to maintain a distance of at least six feet (two metres) between individuals who are not members of the same household while in a public place. Essential establishments, institutions, businesses, organisations and offices that remain open must also provide for social distancing.

Supermarkets, convenience stores, mini-marts, pharmacies and gas or refilling stations are only allowed to operate between the hours of 6am and 7pm. Retail banks, building societies and credit unions are only allowed to operate between the hours of 9am and 4pm. Health care facilities are not restricted in their hours of operation.

Construction sites and works are banned apart from urgent home plumbing, electrical or roof repairs.

It is not permitted to visit a person who is in quarantine or isolation, a detainee in a prison or place of detention, a patient in a health care facility, or a residential home care facility.

Read more on Curfew & Social Distancing

Airports are closed to international passengers, all cruise ships and private yachts are banned, and travel to the Sister Islands is restricted to residents and essential personnel. Read more.

In addition to the establishment of the Cayman Islands Centre for Business Development, Government has implemented a number of measures to support local business and commerce. These include financial assistance for small and medium businesses and the transport industry, temporary waiver of Trade & Business Licensing fees, extension of the temporary layoff period for most industries, virtual conduct of notarial acts, and others. Read more.

As of May 4, the soft curfew runs from 5am-8pm. Essential outings by last name continue. Read more.

Beach curfew extended. All beaches, including private property up to the high water mark, are closed until 15th May. No activities of any kind will be allowed at any time. Read more.

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Essential businesses may apply for an exemption to soft curfew online. Fill out our form today. Applicants will receive a response within 48 hours & must also hold a trade and business license.

As of May 4, Money Remittance Services may open from 6:00 am and 7:00 pm. Read more.

Post Office Hours

One post office location on each of the Cayman Islands is now open for domestic mail, sale of stamps, post box rental payment, and utility bill payments. Read more.

Travel Helpline

If you need help leaving Cayman or returning home to Cayman submit your information using our online tool. Read more.

Help is available for Caymanians and non-Caymanians. Read more

Six Feet to Save Lives

Stay at least 6 feet away from any other person, no matter where you are. Social distancing is legally required in all public places. Read more

When to wear a mask

Social distancing & measures like washing hands should always be priority for reducing COVID-19 transmission. However, here's why and when to wear a mask. Read more

Answers to your questions about COVID-19, including the most common symptoms, how to protect yourself, and Government's response. Read More

Government Policies

A number of important policies are in place to prevent, control and suppress COVID-19 in the Cayman Islands. Read more

Get the latest news and updates from the Cayman Islands Government on COVID-19, including major press releases and announcements. Read more

What is COVID-19?

The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus, which was first identified in Wuhan City, China in 2019. The COVID-19 virus (which is called SARS-CoV-2) is a member of the coronavirus family (a group of viruses) that has never been encountered before.

What Are the Symptoms?

The virus most commonly causes:

coughing
fever
tiredness
breathing difficulties

These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually but commonly occur within 1-10 days after a person has been exposed.

Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don't feel unwell. Around 1 out of every 6 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing.

How Do I Get More Information?

This official Cayman Islands Government website includes a lot of helpful information that is constantly being updated, including a detailed explanation of the Daytime "Soft" Curfew and Nighttime "Hard" Curfew that are in place, answers to Frequently Asked Questions and details of Policies in Action. We also have a list of helplines for critical services.

If you have medical questions, many resources are available on this website and at www.hsa.ky/coronavirus. If you can't find what you're looking for or have a question about your specific situation, contact your General Practitioner or the 24-hour Flu Hotline on 1-800-534-8600 or 925-6327 (Flow) or 947-3077 (Digicel) or email flu@hsa.ky . If you have a medical emergency dial 911.

If you have a non-medical question and can't find the answer on this website, contact the National Emergency Operations Centre hotline on 1-800-534-6555 or email NEOC@gov.ky.

Cayman Islands Community & COVID-19

We may be limited in our physical movements by practicing social distancing to stay safe. What you can still do is stay connected to your Cayman Community. Learn about what's happening with your neighbours and the community at large here.

Regional Tracker & WHO Situation Reports

Get updates from the Pan American Health Organization here. Get global updates from the World Health Organization here.

COVID-19 Latest Live Update

COVID-19 FAQs

What is COVID-19?

The information and studies we are receiving on COVID-19 grow by the day, and so does the understanding. The advice from our Chief Medical Officer is that shared by national public health agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control in the USA, Public Health England and the World Health Organization. Read more.

What is Government doing to address COVID-19?

Here on our official website, you can find the most up to date news and information about Government's response to COVID-19. This includes Policies in Action to protect our community and save lives.

What should I do if I think I have COVID-19?

Unless you require emergency medical care, stay home. Call your General Practitioner or the 24-hour Flu Hotline on 1-800-534-8600 or 947-3077 for advice if you are not managing. Depending on your symptoms and travel history you will most likely be advised to self-isolate at home. A member of the Health Services Authority will visit you at your home. Read more.

What should businesses do?

The Cayman Islands Government issued advice on how businesses and commerce can prepare ahead of a potential community case. We are also keeping this website updated to reflect the latest policies, advice and Government relief measures for businesses. Read more

View all of our frequently asked questions on COVID-19 here.

Prevention Tips

The best way to protect yourself and others from the spread of COVID-19 is to practice these three tips:

Catch it. Catch a cough or sneeze in a tissue. If you have nothing to use, use your elbow and not your hands.
Bin it. Bin the tissues after use. Viruses can live for hours in tissues.
Kill it. By avoiding close contact with those suffering from acute respiratory illness, avoiding travel if you have flu-like symptoms (or a cough or a fever) we can help kill the virus.

Cayman Prepared

Hazard Management Cayman Islands has overall responsibility for the national Comprehensive Disaster Management programme, including preparedness, response, mitigation and recovery.

HMCI is responsible for the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), which is activated to direct and coordinate the response to national threats. Read more.

Press Room

► Thursday 7 May Government Update:Cayman Brac hard curfew is reduced, allowing both fishing and boating. Airports and seaports for cruise ships will remain shut until 1 September 2020. Two positive results and seventy four negative results were reported. Read more

► Wednesday 6 May Government Update: Two hundred and ninety-eight negative results and no positives were announced. 96% of Little Cayman has been tested and two more evacuation flights have been added; one to the Dominican Republic and one to Miami. Read more

► Tuesday, 5 May Government Update: Three positive results among 224 results announced, hard curfew lifted on Little Cayman, AL Thompsons and Kirk Home Centre open for drive-through collection, special hard curfew exemptions for Mother's Day, RFA Argus departs, landscapers wishing to dispose of green waste at the landfill must carry appropriate exemptions. Read more

► DEH Announces Landfill Rules. Read more

► RFA Argus Arrives. Read more

► Cayman Islands Postal Service Temporary Opening Hours. Read more

► Cayman Airways confirms repatriation flight to Costa Rica. Read more

► Monday, 4 May Government Update: One positive result among 600 results announced, restrictions on Sister Islands soon to be lifted, General Registry resumes issuing certificates, Royal Navy Task Force ship anchored off Seven Mile Beach, repatriation flights to Honduras and Costa Rica scheduled for 8 May. Read more

► Read all news

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How Does COVID-19 Testing Work?

Here's how testing for COVID-19 works in the Cayman Islands.

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Update Monday May 4: The Cayman Islands is now under a "soft curfew" during the day from Monday to Saturday from 5am - 8pm followed by a "hard curfew" from 8pm - 5am daily and all day on Sunday.

We understand how important Easter weekend is to the Cayman Islands, especially given the...

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When & Why To Wear A Mask In The Cayman Islands

Homemade masks can be useful when acting as a partial barrier to stop droplet spread of the virus responsible for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). That said, we must be cautious when considering using them as protection against the transmission of COVID-19 cannot be guaranteed.

Learn More >>