Topic: border reopening
Work permit challenges hamper tourism recovery
Recruitment challenges are impacting the recovery of the tourism industry as Cayman businesses attempt to bounce back from COVID-19. Premier Wayne Panton has promised a 'better balance' amid work permit processing delays.
Waterfront businesses unlock shutters, prepare for cruise return
Cayman's waterfront will be abuzz with activity Monday as the country welcomes the first cruise ship to the island in two years.
Bryan: Any cruise ship that poses risk to Cayman will be turned away
Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan has said community safety remains a top priority for government and if any approved cruise ship is found to pose a risk to Cayman it will be turned away.
Delta marks Cayman return with twice-weekly Atlanta flights
The arrival of Delta flight 1988 from Atlanta on Saturday heralded the return of another US-based carrier into the Cayman Islands.
Ships Ahoy: Gearing up for the return of cruise
On Monday, 21 March, the Disney Magic, with its iconic Mickey Mouse silhouette emblazoned on its funnels, is scheduled to sail into George Town Harbour, becoming the first ship to arrive here in two years.
21 ships to arrive in first month of cruise resumption
Within the first four weeks of cruise lines returning to the Cayman Islands, 21 ships carrying up to 74,208 passengers are scheduled to arrive, the Ministry of Tourism confirmed on Tuesday.
Car rental companies sell out as tourism ramps up
Finding a rental car in Cayman at the moment can be challenging, as the islands' border reopening brings in an influx of tourists who are snapping up vehicles.
Cayman eases Phase 5 COVID and travel regulations
The Cayman Islands Government announced the further relaxing of COVID-19 restrictions under Phase 5 of the islands reopening plan, effective Friday 18 Feb.
Cayman drops post-arrival COVID testing for vaccinated travellers
Fully vaccinated and securely verified travellers will no longer face multiple COVID tests in the Cayman Islands after government announced it was ditching the unpopular measure.
United Airlines resumes Cayman routes after two-year hiatus
On Saturday, four United Airlines aircraft arrived in Cayman for the first time since local borders were closed in 2020.
Cruise industry chief: Passengers want unique Cayman experience
Experiences that are quintessentially and uniquely Caymanian rather than simply sun, sea and sand are what cruise passengers will be looking for when ships return to Cayman’s shores, cruise industry leader Michele Paige says.
Cayman aims for 40% of 2019 record stayover tourism numbers
The Cayman Islands this year is aiming to reach up to 40% of 2019's stayover tourism levels, which equates to between 175,000 and 200,000 visitors, according the islands' director of tourism.
American Airlines ‘eager’ for Cayman return
American Airlines is set to touch down on local shores on 17 Feb., marking the formal return of the US carrier since borders were first closed in March 2020.
Cayman in talks to welcome back cruise passengers
Government officials have completed a day of meetings with cruise line chiefs, in a bid to work out details of how Cayman can begin safely receiving cruise ship tourists again.
Restrictions on travel for children lifted as Cayman moves to phase 5
Quarantine restrictions for children have been eased, paving the way for families to travel to the Cayman Islands.
CITA: Suspended Air Canada flights are another blow to tourism
Cayman Islands Tourism Association President Marc Langevin says Air Canada's decision to suspend its Toronto-Grand Cayman route is yet another blow to the islands' tourism industry, which is still reeling from almost two years of border closures.
Air Canada suspends Cayman and other Caribbean routes
Air Canada is suspending 14 of its Caribbean routes, including to Grand Cayman, until at least the end of April, in light of a surge in COVID-19 cases and associated government regulations in the region, the airline has announced.
Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman reopens after $50 million investment
“It’s good to be back.'" That was the message from The Ritz-Carlton resort in Grand Cayman on Wednesday as the luxury hotel threw open its doors once more after a $50 million renovation.
Study: ‘Quiet’ oceans without cruise ships leading to fish resurgence
During the almost four months of lockdown in the Cayman Islands, while the local waters were devoid not just of cruise ships, but also of jetskis, fishing vessels and dive boats, the much-quieter environment led to a significant increase in fish populations, according to an ongoing Central Caribbean Marine Institute study.
Tourism job fair set for Thursday
A tourism job fair offering more than 200 positions for Caymanians and permanent residents will be held on Thursday afternoon, 9 Dec.
Tourism chiefs say not enough Caymanians to fill hospitality jobs
Even with every Caymanian who has expressed an interest in working in restaurants and hotels taking up a position, there will still be 600-700 jobs that need to be filled in those fields as the industry gears up to receive growing numbers of visitors, tourism chiefs say.
Pop-up COVID testing centres open at hotels
Pop-up Covid testing centres are being established in hotels across Grand Cayman to make it easier for tourists to be screened for the virus.
Travel authorisation delays causing headaches
With Travel Cayman dealing with 600-800 new travel applications a day, travellers are complaining of stress and frustration as they await last-minute approvals.
Tourists diving back into Cayman
In the days after Cayman’s borders reopened on 20 Nov., a small number of tourists across the islands were taking giant strides off the back of dive boats or climbing down ladders to start shore dives.
Calls to axe exit test amid lengthy quarantine nightmares
Public health chiefs are facing calls to drop the “exit test” for people in isolation amid concerns that some Cayman residents are being confined to their homes for up to six weeks.
Government greenlights first cruise ship in 20 months
Although not officially part of Phase 4 of government's border reopening plan, cruise line Holland America has been given the nod to call on Grand Cayman on 28 Dec., making it the first cruise to touch local shores in almost 20 months.
Travellers encounter issues on first day of new COVID testing protocols
With some 700 people seeking COVID testing Monday at health facilities across the islands, there were a few teething problems as the first day of testing got under way, following the reopening of Cayman's borders this weekend.
Ticketable COVID breaches, $10K fines for testing non-compliance take effect
Cayman's updated COVID-19 regulations are now in effect and it comes with the introduction of a $10,000 fine for anyone failing to comply lateral flow testing as required on day two, five and ten.
Civil Service continuity plans in place, assures acting deputy governor
With Cayman now hours away from unlocking borders acting deputy Governor Gloria McField-Nixon has assured plans are in place to ensure continuity of business services within the civil service and the safety of its staff as well as the public.
CIAA boss welcomes return of bustling airport
Cayman Islands Airports Authority CEO Albert Anderson says his team has been preparing for the return of tourists and they are working to make the travel process smooth.
The long road to reopening Cayman’s borders
Twenty months after Cayman shuttered its borders to commercial travel, the island look ahead to welcoming tourists back to its shores. Here is a timeline of the long road to reopening.
Tears and cheers at airport as Cayman unlocks borders under phase 4
In what could be scenes straight out of the Hollywood classic Love Actually emotions of every kind erupted at the Owen Roberts International Airport Saturday afternoon as at long last Cayman's borders were unlocked under phase 4 of government's reopening plan.
Tourism returns with a trickle as Cayman prepares for border reopening
Hotel and condo operators have few bookings for "reopening day" in Cayman, but are happy to be back in business after 20 months without tourism.
Premier: ‘Cayman is ready to reopen’
Premier Wayne Panton insisted Thursday that Cayman is “ready” to reopen to tourism despite the surge in COVID-19 cases throughout the islands.
Six flights and 700 passengers expected on 20 Nov. for border reopening
As Cayman prepares to drop quarantine for verified vaccinated travellers on Saturday, effectively reopening the borders to international visitors, Customs and Border Control officials say they're ready to welcome travellers back to the Islands.
The new rules of travel: What we know and what we don’t
While some of the rules and guidelines around the reopening of Cayman's borders on Saturday remain to be revealed, some of the key questions have been answered. Here we try to outline what we know and what we don’t about the new rules of travel.
COVID contingency: Cayman’s field hospital ready ‘by Christmas time’
Cayman will recommission a field hospital, set up in May last year, to prepare for a potential increase in patients requiring care, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee has confirmed.
Tourism business still facing cancellations, survey shows
Cayman’s watersports businesses are still seeing more cancellations than new bookings, despite the announcement that the border will reopen next Saturday.
Premier: ‘Not bothered’ by CDC advisory, hospitalisations low despite COVID spike
Premier Wayne Panton has said while the US Centers for Disease Prevention and Control's advisory against Cayman is "regrettable" he is not worried that it will have a negative impact on visitors coming here when borders unlock next week.
Tourism Ministry: CDC advisory will not ‘negatively impact’ sector
The Tourism Ministry has called the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory against travelling to the Cayman Islands "regrettable", but says raising the jurisdiction to level 4 – very high risk of COVID-19 – does not mean the industry will be "negatively affected".
CDC moves Cayman to highest risk travel category
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has moved the Cayman Islands to the Level 4 list of countries with a very high level of COVID-19, and is advising against travel to the region.
Cayman’s day-to-day life under phase 3
As we await further details on what phase 4 of government's reopening plan will look like, those of you hoping to visit the Cayman Islands following the anticipated 20 Nov. border reopening may be wondering what day-to-day life is like right now in the islands.
Tourism workers look to rebuild lives and careers
After more than a year out of work, Caymanian tourism employees are hoping the skills they have built in the interim will help them build their careers.
Panton: Gov’t committed to reopening date, dismisses lockdown rumours
Although Cayman is experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases this week Premier Wayne Panton has said government will press on with plans to reopen on 20 November.
Light at the end of tunnel for beleaguered tourism industry
Tourism businesses are expecting a trickle rather than a flood when visitors start to return to the Cayman Islands from next month.
More flights for Cayman as WestJet confirms December return
Canadian airline WestJet has confirmed it will be making a December return to local skies as Cayman moves closer to government's planned 20 Nov. reopening date.
Border reopening: Flights to Grand Cayman
Looking for a flight to the Cayman Islands? Here's a list of airlines offering flights to Grand Cayman, with service from Miami, Tampa, Kingston, Le Ceiba, London, New York, Boston, Toronto, Fort Lauderdale and Atlanta.
Cayman’s changing culinary scene
In the approximately 18 months since Cayman closed its borders to cruise and commercial air traffic, the culinary and bar scene has shifted. Some...
Opposition asks for more information on gov’t reopening plan
Opposition leader Roy McTaggart has called on the government to release more details of its border-reopening plan.
Tourism, business sectors welcome border-reopening announcement
Premier Wayne Panton's announcement that Cayman's borders will reopen on 20 Nov. was cautiously welcomed on Friday by tourism and business industry leaders, as well as members of the public and tourists hoping to visit the Islands.
Cayman border reopening set for 20 November
The Cayman Islands border will reopen on 20 Nov, Premier Wayne Panton announced Friday afternoon.
Time to forge ahead and reopen
Adversity is not a concept unfamiliar to the Cayman Islands. In fact, in many ways, it has been the catalyst for our success.
The financial...
Lift the border restrictions
I hear people say, “If it saves a single life then border restrictions are worth it.” But that same logic could be used to...
Business leaders call for November reopening
Business leaders across multiple industries are calling for Cayman's borders to reopen on November 22.
Air Canada to make December return
Air Canada plans to resume flights to Grand Cayman starting the first week in December through its Air Canada Rouge service, media relations officials have confirmed.
Opposition hits out at ‘vague’ reopening plans
Government needs to outline a clear plan for how and when it will reopen the island’s borders, Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart has said.
Cayman welcomes first US commercial flight in 18 months
The Cayman Islands welcomed its first international commercial passenger flight from the American market on Saturday 16 Oct., after closing its borders nearly 18 months ago.
JetBlue to make Cayman return
JetBlue Airways will officially touch down at the Owen Roberts International Airport Saturday making it the first commercial flight returning to local shores since borders were locked last March, Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan announced Wednesday night.
Government weighs removing verifiable vaccination requirement for Cayman arrivals
The requirement to present a QR code in order to demonstrate an arriving passenger has been verifiably vaccinated could soon be off the table for those travelling to Cayman, according to Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan.
Bryan: Gov’t working towards border reopening
Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan has said government is working towards unlocking borders before Christmas and he was hopeful American Airlines could resume flights to Grand Cayman at that time.
Premier: Gov’t to give month’s notice before reopening borders
Before it opens the borders, the Cayman Islands government will give a month's notice of its plans, Premier Wayne Panton said Tuesday.
Saunders: November reopening remains a possibility
Deputy Premier Chris Saunders has said the reopening of local borders could be possible from November, as he reiterated government’s position is to revisit the amended end-of-year timeline, as it works to contain local COVID cases.
Closed border is hurting Caymanians
We miss visiting . Our annual two-week trip was cancelled last year, and it looks like this year will also provide no joy. Our...
COVID outbreak in check after 10,000 negative tests
More than 10,000 people have been screened for COVID-19 and tested negative in the past two weeks, health officials revealed Thursday.
Popular hot spots feel the pinch as reopening pause hits home
As new regulations aimed at curbing the spread of COVID come into effect, popular hot spots like Rum Point are winding down operations as the planned reopening of borders shifts to next year.
Cayman’s doctors ‘ready’ for COVID impact
Cayman's medical fraternity is ready for a potential increase in cases of COVID-19, should that situation arise as a result of opening Cayman's borders.
What is the risk to Cayman from a COVID outbreak?
Once the borders reopen to vaccinated travellers, Cayman Islands leaders are anticipating that some degree of exposure to COVID-19 is inevitable. But what exactly is the risk from COVID at this point?
Tourism businesses: ‘We are casualties, not villains’
Tourism business owners are contemplating whether to shut their doors in the face of continued uncertainty over the future of the industry.
Editorial: It’s time to take the reopening leap
Cayman has done an exemplary job at every stage of this pandemic, but the days of prevention are now gone. COVID-19 is in our community, even with the borders closed. Handling the reopening is the final hurdle. We must have the courage to take that leap.
Opposition continues calls for cooperation despite chilly response
Opposition legislators have renewed their offer of assistance to Premier Wayne Panton and his administration as Cayman navigates the reemergence of COVID-19.
Poll: Do you agree with the halted border reopening?
Do you support government's decision to delay the reopening of the border?
Cayman’s tourism leaders condemn delay in reopening
Tourism business leaders have condemned government’s decision to delay the reopening of the border, claiming it is not based on scientific evidence and threatens the livelihoods of thousands of Caymanians.
