$1 million set aside for stipends for quarantining families

The government has approved $1 million to fund a stipend for Caymanians and permanent residents who have lost earnings while in quarantine as a result of the local outbreak of COVID-19.

Health Minister Sabrina Turner, speaking at a press briefing on Friday, said the money should serve to ease the financial burden on some of the families in isolation, and “reduce the stress and worry that I know a number of families have expressed to us”.

The stipend, which will be available through the end of this year, is being handled through the office of Minister for Border Control and Labour Chris Saunders.

In a statement issued Friday, Saunders said, “The Government is aware of the hardship COVID-19 isolation can take on households and particularly on those families with smaller trade and service-based employees who are not able to work remotely from their place of isolation. When these employees are placed into isolation, it is possible that some portion of that period will be unpaid.

“This situation is particularly difficult when a household has more than one breadwinner in isolation, and the loss of income is multiplied.”

To qualify for the ex-gratia stipend, potential recipients must meet the following criteria:

• Must have been in Public Health-directed isolation;
• Must be in non-traveller-related isolation/quarantine;
• Must attest to not receiving a salary from their employer or if self-employed must show they are not able to work from isolation;
• Must provide a declaration that they are not receiving holiday pay or similar compensation;
• Must not be an existing Tourism Displaced Worker stipend recipient;
• Must be Caymanian, permanent resident or married to a Caymanian with a Residency and Employment Rights Certificate.

Applications for the ex-gratia stipend can be submitted online and must include the following relevant documents:

• A copy of a Cayman Islands voter registration card, Caymanian Status Certificate or Right to be Caymanian Certificate;
• A copy of the last payslip or official job letter;
• Banking details (for electronic funds transfer); or
• Postal address (for delivery of a cheque);
• A copy of the letter from Public Health mandating isolation or quarantine.

To apply online and to view the requirements, visit https://www.gov.ky/labour/stipend, or email [email protected] for more information.