Cayman’s updated COVID-19 regulations are now in effect, including the introduction of a potential $10,000 fine for anyone arriving into the jurisdiction who fails to comply with lateral flow testing as required on days two, five and 10.

They also re-introduce ticketable offences for not wearing masks and social distancing.

The Control of COVID-19 (Travel) Regulations 2021 and the Control and Management of COVID-19 (NO. 2) Regulations 2021 outline requirements for testing, compliance with the Medical Officer of Health, social distancing and mask wearing rules among other protocols.

The new regulations, which were published late Friday, continue the ban on the use of hookah, shisha pipes or water pipes at places of business – breach of which, on summary conviction, carries a fine of $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term of two years, or both.

The new rules will remain in force until 15 Jan., 2022.

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Regulations sets out Phase 4 rules

There are seven new ticketable offences under the travel regulations, with fines ranging between $500 and $1,000.

These include entering the Islands without a medical certificate showing the person had a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test ($1,000 fine) and failing to complete and submit a travel declaration prior to traveling to the Islands ($1,000 fine.)

Separately, the travel regulations also outline requirements for travel authorisations/proof of vaccination, lateral flow testing rules and quarantining requirements if positive results are returned from those tests.

It outlines accompanying fines of $10,000 and jail terms of up to two years for any breaches of the stipulated rules.

Under the Control and Management of COVID-19 regulations, which Premier Wayne Panton said Thursday would still include restrictions on indoor sporting activities, exemptions have been granted for public gatherings in venues with sufficiently large spaces.

Police have been empowered through the control and management regulations to issue tickets for offences, such as failing to wear masks and social distancing, which also extends to operators of bars and restaurants.

The fines for the now ticketable offences range from $250 to $1,000.

Tickets can now be issued when the owner or operator of a relevant public place fails to restrict the number of persons so that customers or congregants are able to social distance (fine $1,000,) or a person is not maintaining at least six feet from every other person in a restaurant or bar when not seated at a table or counter (fine $250.)

Visiting a patient who has tested positive for the virus in a health care facility without the written permission of the Medical Officer of Health now carries a $500 fine as a ticketable offence.

These offences are among some 31 ticketable offences outlined in the regulations which can be found under Schedule 3 of the Control and Management of COVID-19 (NO. 2) rules.

Anyone who is served with a ticket and wishes to enter a “not guilty” plea can request a trial by ticking the box for requesting a trial in the ticket and delivering it to the Clerk of the Court within 28 days of being served.

Following this a trial date will be set.

A person who is convicted of an offence in a requested trial, or in a trial as a result of a failure to pay their ticket, is liable on summary conviction for a fine of $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term of two years, or both, under the amended regulations.

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8 COMMENTS

  1. I’m sure things will change but we are already concerned about returning to Cayman. We are having to use precious vacation to visit my terminally ill mother in law in Uk At the moment we will have to do LFTS on day 2, 5 and 10. We have no problem with this but the prebookable time slots for these tests are at very limited times often in the middle of the day. If you are a visitor it is merely an inconvenience in your vacation but if you work here it will be very difficult for my husband to leave meetings on day 2, 5 and 10 during work hours

  3. Cayman is not really open. What they are claiming is open is a joke. Look at Turks and Caicos. They really are open and have been for months. What they are doing works and you don’t feel like you are in prison while on vacation. We will spend our time and money there.

  4. The OCD paranoia continues.

    Here’s what I would like to know. On Nov. 20 700 people arrived. So let’s say that by Jan. 1,000 people a day arrive. That would mean in 2 days 1,000 will need to get a LFT (lateral flow test) within I would guess an 8-10 hour window? But absolutely within a 24 hour window or be fined.

    Now follow me here. on day 5 you will have 2,000 people who need to secure an LFT. On day 10 3,000 people will need an LFT within 24 hours.

    And lets say each test (paying for it – taking it – certifying it) takes only 10 minuets. Only 3,000 people at 10 minuets each is 30,000 minuets – or 500 man hours – or 62 people working a solid 8 hour day. No bathroom break or food.

    Will some visitors be set up for failure? Asking for a friend.

  5. Cayman has been our favorite island We’ve traveled there for years even celebrated our daughter’s wedding there. Love everything about cayman people, even looked into investing in a property there. I will say that we will return someday God willing, but with all the restrictions in place we are looking into other islands for now.
    Fully vaccinated
    Coach