COVID-19 IN THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

The Ministry Of Health recognises the potential benefits of homemade masks when acting as a physical barrier to stop some droplet spread of the novel coronavirus when in public spaces. However,  the Chief Medical Officer also advised to use caution when considering the use of homemade masks to protect against the transmission of COVID-19 as the level of protection cannot be guaranteed.

Here is further information on masks. Read more.

All Easter camping and hanging out socially on beaches and elsewhere are officially cancelled. People should celebrate Easter as a religious festival staying at homes and in a socially distant way. Read more.

A British Airways flight coming from the U.K. via Bermuda is scheduled to leave Grand Cayman on the afternoon of Tuesday, 7 April. Persons seeking to leave the Cayman Islands should call 244-3333 or email emergencytravel@gov.ky. The cost per ticket is £500. Existing BA ticketing cannot be transferred to this charter flight but may be given as vouchers. Read more.

All persons arriving into the Cayman Islands will be isolated in a Government-provided facility. Read more.

Emergency supplementary funding, recently approved by Cabinet, will provide temporary food assistance to non-Caymanians who qualify and are unable to leave the Cayman Islands or who find themselves out of work due to the impact of COVID-19.

Work permit holders who need urgent support may apply for a food voucher.

For matters relating to support from the Needs Assessment Unit (NAU), contact NAUInfo@gov.ky or 946-0024. Anyone seeking to access services from the NAU as first-time client should first complete this pre-assessment form.

For free confidential legal advice on matters pertaining to domestic violence, immigration, maintenance, and matrimonial property please phone Legal Brefrienders on Tuesdays including 31 March, 7 April, 14 April, 21 April and 28 April from 5:30-6:30pm on 945 8869. For future information call the Family Resource Centre 949 0006

For more hotlines and support click here.

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.

If you entered the Cayman Islands on or after Monday, 16 March, you are required to self-isolate along with all other members of your household for 14 full days.

Any person who displays symptoms of COVID-19 (coughing, fever, shortness of breath) or who has had contact with someone suspected to have COVID-19 should also self-isolate for 14 days along with their household.

Read more on self-isolation here.

During times of crisis you may find that your moods and feelings are affected. It's okay not to be okay. Read more.

Caring professionals are here for you. Call 1-800-534-6463 (MIND) Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm to talk to our Mental Health Hotline.

Find out how to get other assistance you may need here.

Avoid all but essential travel until there is a measurable change in the global situation.

Local airports and sea ports are currently closed to all international passengers. There is also heightened concern with inter-island travel due to the high percentage of elderly persons residing in the Sister Islands. Read more.

Referred to as "Shelter in Place", the daytime "soft" curfew Monday to Saturday allows reasonable movement of persons between 5am and 7pm for essential activities such as access to supermarkets, pharmacies and banks and to exercise outdoors, including walking a pet, alone or with one other person who is a member of the same residence for up to 90 minutes between 6am and 6pm. Read more.

The "hard" curfew remains in effect from 7pm in the evening until 5am in the morning each day and for 24 hours on Sundays. Persons are required to remain in their homes and premises during these hours unless the Commissioner of Police has exempted them from doing so in writing. Read more.

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. Read more.

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.

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

Supermarkets, convenience stores, mini-marts, pharmacies and gas or refilling stations are only allowed to operate between the hours of 6am and 6pm. Retail banks, building societies and credit unions are only allowed to operate between the hours of 9am and 1pm. 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.

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 6pm. Delivery services are only allowed to operate until 9pm. Read more.

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. Read more.

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.