Premier Wayne Panton, on Friday, is expected to announce new changes to the remaining COVID-19 regulations, a Government Information Services notice has said.
Though no indication has been given regarding what the changes will look like, some of the main regulations that are still in place include: requiring approval through Travel Cayman to enter the Cayman Islands, providing proof of vaccination status and requiring all persons who test positive for COVID-19 by lateral flow test to complete a PCR test to confirm their result and quarantine accordingly.
Panton, together with Health Minister Sabrina Turner, Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan and Interim Chief Medical Officer Dr. Autilia Newton will be holding a press briefing from 2pm Friday to “discuss the latest changes to the COVID-19 regulations and Public Health updates”.
Current rules
Under the current regulations, vaccinated travellers are required to complete a ‘Travel Declaration’ at least 72 hours prior to departing for the islands, while all unvaccinated travellers, including children, are required to apply to the Travel Cayman portal five days prior to departing for the islands.
This requirement does not apply to cruise travellers.
Vaccinated travellers are exempt from quarantine requirements, except if they test positive for COVID.
According to the rules in place at the moment, all unvaccinated persons are required to isolate for a period of not less than 7 days unless they are under the age of 12 and travelling with a vaccinated adult.
Unvaccinated children under the age of 12 years old assume the vaccination status of their adult travel companions.
Vaccinated individuals, who test positive for COVID, are required to isolate for a period of no less than 7 days, but there is no PCR exit testing requirement.
For unvaccinated persons, a period of no less than 9 days of isolation is required.
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 by lateral flow test must complete a PCR test to confirm their result.
Though there is no requirement to undergo a COVID-19 test prior to arriving or while in the Cayman Islands, the Medical Officer of Health has encouraged all travellers to complete daily lateral flow tests for their first seven (7) days post-arrival.
Government has removed the requirements to wear a mask in most public places, but owners and/or operators of establishments may require the use of a mask before entering their establishment and have the right to refuse entry to those who do not adhere to their requirement.
Projected increase in airlift
Meanwhile an airlift capacity report, produced by the Department of Tourism, has shown projections of an increase of 1,253 seats in the fourth quarter of this year.
According to the department, this represents a 1% increase in capacity over Q4 2019. The minister states this is a “welcome indication of recovery as we look ahead to the 2022 – 2023 season”.
The report was created by an internal department research unit that tracks flights to the Cayman Islands through Q1 2023 and compares capacity to 2019.
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