For the latest information on storm activity in the Cayman Islands, as well as information on how to prepare for hurricane season, visit Storm Centre.
With the Cayman Islands under a hurricane warning ahead of a storm expected to impact the islands Monday, schools and government offices closed early and a number of events are expected to be cancelled. The Compass will keep track of closures and update this article throughout the weekend.
Government schools to reopen Wednesday
The Ministry of Education has announced that government schools will remain closed on Tuesday, and will reopen to students on Wednesday.
This is facilitate post-storm checks of schools.
Teachers, however, are being asked to report for duty at 9.30am Tuesday.
Supermarkets and hardware stores
Supermarkets and hardware stores across Cayman are operating normal hours on Saturday.
Kirk Market, Hurley’s and Foster’s plan to remain closed Sunday and Monday, and expect to reopen on Tuesday.
A number of hardware stores, including AL Thompson’s, Cox Lumber, and Ace, will open on Sunday morning to enable customers to make last-minute hurricane-preparation purchases.
Airport closures
Courts in Cayman closed at 3pm Friday and will be closed on Monday, according to the Judicial Administration.
Summary and Grand Courts will reopen on a Tuesday morning.
Banking
Banks across all three islands will be closed on Monday, the Cayman Islands Bankers Association announced, stating that customers are advised to use electronic banking services where possible for bill payments, bank transfers and electronic funds transfers via their online banking, as well as make cash withdrawals and deposits at ATMs.
The closures apply to all retail members of CIBA: Butterfield Bank, Cayman National, CIBC FirstCaribbean, PROVEN (formerly Fidelity Bank), Scotiabank and RBC Royal Bank.
Hospitals and health clinics
The Health Services Authority has cancelled all elective surgeries and regularly scheduled outpatient clinics, including district health centres, general practice, specialist, therapy services, mental health, radiology, and dental and eye clinics for Monday. The COVID-19 drive-thru, urgent care ‘walk-in’ clinic, pharmacy and phlebotomy will be closed as well.
Therapy services at Bay Town House and the COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Family Life Centre will also be closed on Saturday, the HSA announced. All patients will be contacted directly to reschedule appointments affected by these clinic closures.
Pending the ‘all-clear’ from Hazard Management Cayman Islands, the clinics and the COVID-19 drive-thru clinic may reopen on Tuesday.
The Accident and Emergency Unit will still operate 24 hours, but the HSA is asking people to stay home unless it is a “true medical emergency”.
All scheduled and walk-in clinics at Faith Hospital will be closed on Monday, but its A&E will remain open for any emergencies.
Little Cayman Clinic will be open for emergencies only, and people going there should first call 244-7661.
The HSA also reminded the public that its facilities, including all hospitals and district health centres, “are not general hurricane shelters for the public. If you need shelter, please go to a district hurricane shelter.”
The HSA Smith Road Pharmacy closed at 3pm and the Cayman Islands Hospital Pharmacy closed at 4pm Friday. They will both be open from 9am to noon on Sunday, but will be closed on Monday.
Health City advised that outpatient departments at its East End hospital and its Camana Bay clinic will be closed on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.
Garbage collection
There will not be garbage collection Monday. The suspension of this service will affect the ordinary schedule, causing a delay by at least one day, according to the Department of Environmental Health.
The landfills’ operating hours on Saturday are 7am to 1pm in George Town and 8am to 3pm in the Sister Islands. All landfills will remain closed on Sunday and Monday.
Additionally and with immediate effect, derelict vehicles, scrap metals or used oil will not be accepted until further notice.
The DEH said garbage collection scheduled for this week will be completed by Sunday.
The DEH also advised that recyclable materials will not be able to be processed until further notice. However, recyclable materials currently deposited at the depots will be collected to ensure they do not become litter or a hazard.
As part of the Hurricane Preparedness Plan for the current hurricane season, temporary debris sites have been identified by the Initial Clearance and Debris Management Committee chaired by the DEH. The location of these temporary sites will be announced as it becomes necessary. Residents are asked to wait to dispose of any materials until a day or two after the all clear. This will help reduce congestion and waiting times at the landfills and the temporary sites.
For additional information, please contact the DEH at 949-6696, email [email protected], or visit the DEH’s website at www.deh.gov.ky.
Schools and government offices
All government primary and high schools, and a number of private ones, closed early today (Friday).
Government offices also closed at 3pm today.
All libraries closed early today, and will reopen once the all-clear has been given.
Post offices closing
The Cayman Islands Postal Service said post offices would close at 3pm Friday. Mail was withdrawn from post office boxes, so it could be secured to prevent damage.
The postal service also advised that the Bodden Town and Creek Post Offices, which normally open at 2pm, will not open today.
All post offices will remain closed on Saturday, and will reopen after the all-clear.
Importers advised to pick up cargo ASAP
Customs and Border Control Service issued a notification asking importers who have cargo at the Port Authority Warehouse and CBC’s Transit Shed to complete the import process and collect their cargo as soon as possible.
It said office hours “will resume as soon practicable after the all clear has been given”.
Turtle Centre closed over weekend
The Cayman Turtle Centre will close at 5pm Friday and stay closed over the weekend. The facility will open after the all-clear is given.
Christopher Jackson, the Turtle Centre’s acting chief executive officer, said in a statement, “Following today’s announcement of a Hurricane Alert by the Cayman Islands Government, our dedicated crew members have been busy putting our disaster preparedness plan into action and ensuring our animals will be safe while the Centre is closed to the public.”
He said all necessary precautions, including ensuring sufficient stocks of food for all animals, are in place, and the most vulnerable animals, such as the Cayman parrots and several other species of birds in the Caribbean Free Flight Aviary, as well as the peafowl of Peacock Island, will all be temporarily rehoused in secure enclosures until the storm has passed.
Water Authority
With the storm bearing down on the islands, Water Authority – Cayman has stated that customers who have been disconnected for non-payment have been reconnected.
Its Red Gate office in Grand Cayman closed to the public at 1:30pm today until further notice, to allow for hurricane preparations.
The Cayman Brac office will maintain normal office hours Friday, after which it will be closed to the public until further notice. Therefore, no emergency water delivery orders will be accepted on Sunday.
Alzheimer’s fundraiser
A tea party to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Association of the Cayman Islands at the John Gray Memorial Church Hall, which was due to be held on Saturday, 24 Sept., has been postponed to Saturday, 1 Oct.
Is your event being cancelled or postponed? Let us know by emailing [email protected].
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