Topic: coronavirus
More reagents for COVID-19 tests headed to Cayman
A fresh batch of reagents has been dispatched to Cayman to supplement the current supply at the Health Services Authority for local COVID-19 testing, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee confirmed on Friday.
New rules for vehicle inspections
The Department of Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing is putting strict new guidelines in place for vehicle inspections, and has suspended all driving tests until further notice.
Gov’t mulls extending NAU support to impacted expat workers
Government has said it is considering extending one-off assistance to expatriate workers impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
Isolation now mandatory for returning residents
Anyone returning to the Cayman Islands this week is legally required to isolate under the Public Health Law, officials said Friday.
Two new coronavirus cases confirmed
Health officials confirmed two new cases of coronavirus in the Cayman Islands at a press briefing Thursday.
Premier: Air travel closure could go beyond 3 weeks
The ban on air travel in and out of Cayman could be extended beyond three weeks, Premier Alden McLaughlin acknowledged Thursday.
Q&A: Ask the Experts – COVID-19
Do you have any questions about COVID-19?
We’ll be joined by HSA CEO Lizzette Yearwood Chief Medical Director Dr. John Lee, and Hazard Management Cayman Islands Director Danielle Coleman.
Cleaning company set up to sanitise school buses
Drivers making their way along West Bay Road on Thursday may have wondered at the sight of a tent and people in hazmat suits on the plot of land between Coconut Joe’s and the entrance to Jasmine.
Top Stories 20 March
Here are this week's top headlines from the Cayman Compass.
Police prepping for spike in domestic violence reports
Police Commissioner Derek Byrne has assured that law and order remains stable in Cayman even as thousands are facing dwindling finances in the wake of the collapse of the tourism industry due to border closures.
Public transport grapples with COVID-19 plans
Some public bus drivers are sanitising their vehicles, while others are choosing not to continue driving buses. However, the drivers have not received any official word on procedures or approaches for operating their buses during the coronavirus crisis.
Business leaders seek solutions for crippled economy
Business leaders are exploring various solutions to keep people employed during the coronavirus crisis.
Cayman food banks need donations
Food pantries across Grand Cayman are in need of donations, as economic uncertainty sets in for many people affected by the coronavirus-control measures.
COVID-19 economic analysis: Just how bad might it get?
The global COVID-19 pandemic is posing serious challenges to economies everywhere and we should expect the same in the Cayman Islands. Guest columnist Paul Byles examines some of the potential impacts we may see in the coming months.
PTU drivers welcome incentive
“It’s very rough, it’s very hard.” This has been the refrain for many tour operators who are now feeling the pinch as the Cayman goes into lockdown mode in mere days.
Myths vs. facts about coronavirus
This is the first in an ongoing series the Cayman Compass will be running on debunking some of the myths surrounding COVID-19. Want us to check out a rumour or myth about the illness? Email us at [email protected].
Refunds uncertain for cancelled Cayman holidays
It was meant to be the holiday of a lifetime. After months of planning and saving, a trip to the Cayman Islands awaited.
UK commits to support Cayman, OTs’ COVID-19 efforts
UK Overseas Territories Minister Baroness Liz Sugg says the UK stands with its overseas territories as they continue to grapple with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Charity seeks support to help needy
Charity Acts of Random Kindness is mobilising to help support families in need during the coronavirus crisis.
Hotels to be used to isolate returning students
Hundreds of returning students will be temporarily housed in hotels in Cayman to allow them to isolate without impacting their families.
Scammers pose as government COVID workers
Government is warning the public not to be taken in by an apparent scam in which individuals are trying to gain access to homes by stating they are government workers sent to "spray" residences for COVID-19.
Court activates emergency plan
Island-wide coronavirus-containment measures have forced Cayman’s court system to enter ‘level 3 procedures’ of its emergency continuity plan.
Prison visits suspended
The prison service is implementing a ban on visits in an effort to protect local prisoners from COVID-19.
UPDATE: Governor’s Office: BA flight to London will operate
Confusion reigned among passengers booked for the final British Airways flight out of Grand Cayman on Sunday, before the island's airport closes for three weeks, when travellers received notifications Wednesday that flight BA252 was cancelled.
High-visibility patrols as Cayman prepares for lockdown
Cayman police are at full capacity and on high alert to deal with any and all offences as the island prepares to go on lockdown amid the global coronavirus crisis.
Banks offer mortgage relief amid crisis
Butterfield, Cayman National and RBC Royal Bank are implementing measures to provide financial relief to clients impacted by the COVID-19 health crisis.
Relief and optimism despite hotel closures
The boss of Cayman’s biggest resort says he and his staff are “blown away” by the “unprecedented” gesture from owner Dart Enterprises to cover staff salaries through the expected duration of the coronoavirus crisis.
Cayman facing ‘humanitarian crisis’ with expats
Thousands of expatriate workers have lost their jobs and may be stuck in Cayman as many countries close off their gateways back home.
Police contingency plan: Volunteer force ready to deploy
A volunteer force of 40 special constables is on standby if police numbers are reduced during the coronavirus crisis.
$3M set aside for COVID-19 response
Government has tapped into the National Disaster Fund to the tune of $3 million as it readies to provide support for Caymanian workers facing the breadline due to the collapse of the tourism industry.
McLean urges gov’t, opposition effort in COVID-19 response
Opposition Leader Arden McLean has given his support to government’s ongoing efforts to suppress the spread of COVID-19.
Vase finals delayed
The on-field clash between Fidelity Cayman Storm and the John Doak Tradeview Markets Iguanas, scheduled for this weekend’s rugby Vase finals, has been cancelled...
COVID-19 ushers in season of uncertainty for Hyman
Caymanian sprinter Kemar Hyman continues to train in hopes of competing at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. Cayman’s 100-metre record holder, however,...
20 coronavirus tests come back negative
The Cayman Islands has no new cases of the coronavirus after 20 tests, including 19 from Health City staff came back negative
Hotels to close but continue paying staff
Cayman’s major hotels are shutting their doors, mirroring the three-week closure of the airport to passenger travel.
‘Flattening the curve’ saves lives
When individuals avoid social contact during pandemic situations, they also avoid being inadvertent carriers of disease. The idea is to ‘flatten the curve’.
International mail services suspended
Cayman Islands Postal Service has said it will be suspending all international mail services for three weeks.
Premier: Tourism industry has collapsed
Cayman’s closure of its borders has sent the tourism industry into “free fall,” according to Premier Alden McLaughlin, who said at a press conference Monday that it is now up to the financial services industry to see the country through the upcoming months.
George Town General Practice clinic halts appointments
The Health Services Authority is cancelling all non-essential appointments for George Town General Practice Clinic effective immediately to protect "patients and minimize potential transmission of COVID-19", the HSA announced Tuesday.
West Bay MLAs meet with residents over virus
As Cayman continues to ramp up its suppression efforts to keep the COVID-19 virus from spreading in the community, House Speaker McKeeva Bush and fellow MLA Captain Eugene Ebanks have urged West Bay residents to remain calm as the two politicians sought to allay fears and answer questions.
Gov’t clarifies why 6th sample not tested for COVID-19
A sample from a Cayman Islands patient that was sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency for COVID-19 testing did not meet CARPHA’s criteria for testing.
Government encourages use of online services
Commerce Minister Joey Hew is urging the public to use government’s e-services online platform, www.eservices.gov.ky, to conduct business with departments and agencies.
‘Lucky to be alive’
A cruise ship passenger who was transported to Health City Cayman Islands for emergency treatment early last week and was one of the four original people who tested negative for coronavirus, said he felt “lucky to be alive” before boarding a plane for the US on Monday.
Cayman to shut down air travel for 3 weeks
Air travel in and out of the Cayman Islands will be shut down for three weeks in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Tourism minister: Lives come first
Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell said the closure of Cayman’s borders to tourists was a difficult but necessary decision to keep the country safe.
Health City following ‘strict infection controls’
Health City Cayman Islands has issued assurances that patients are being monitored and strict protocols are being followed as the hospital lockdown continued
HSA cancels elective surgeries
The Health Services Authority has cancelled all elective surgeries and specialist services at the Cayman Islands Hospital and Faith Hospital
EDITORIAL: Government’s drastic COVID-19 response welcome
As the emerging, uncharted waters of the coronavirus pandemic stretch out before us, we applaud government for taking action.
Doctors Hospital on ‘war footing’
CTMH Doctors Hospital is on a “war footing” as it prepares to do its part to keep the Cayman Islands safe amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Businesses announce temporary closures
Multiple businesses closed or scaled back operations as the news began to break Monday that the Cayman Islands was closing its borders.
Restaurants restrict customers as public gathering ban bites
Restaurants across Grand Cayman are starting to restrict customers or shut up shop completely amid new restrictions on public gatherings.
EN ESPAÑOL: Caimán cerrará los aeropuertos durante 3 semanas
Los aeropuertos de las Islas Caimán cerrarán para los vuelos internacionales durante tres semanas en un esfuerzo para frenar la propagación del coronavirus. Los vuelos domésticos serán restringidos a viajes esenciales y con efecto inmediato, cualquier persona que llegue a las islas deberá aislarse durante 14 días.
Tourism industry in free fall as virus paralyses travel
The Cayman Islands’ tourism industry is facing a virtual shutdown as global travel grinds to a halt amid concerns over the spread of the coronavirus.
Health Services Authority bans visits
The Health Services Authority is banning visits by members of the public to patients at the Cayman Islands Hospital.
HSA to start local COVID-19 testing
Cayman will begin local testing for COVID-19 at the Health Services Authority forensic laboratory.
Cayman cancels cruises ahead of ban
Cayman has turned away three cruise ships one day before a government ban on the cruises was set to take effect to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Premier warns against breaking public spaces ban
Premier Alden McLaughlin has warned that anyone who breaches the 50 people in public spaces ban will face penalties for their actions.
LIVE: Coronavirus news and updates
Latest breaking news and updates on the coronavirus pandemic. Follow the Cayman Compass for factual and trusted news and stay informed.
EN ESPAÑOL: ¿Qué sucede en Islas Caimán con el coronavirus?
Mucho ha pasado en los últimos días en Caimán con el coronavirus, COVID-19, lo que ha fomentado la circulación de muchos rumores. Aquí resumimos la información oficial y las medidas que han anunciado el gobierno de Islas Caimán.
Schools close, cruise ships banned to prevent coronavirus spread
All Cayman’s schools will be closed and extensive travel restrictions put in place to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Officials confirm patient died of COVID-19 complications
The Italian cruise shipper confirmed as Cayman's first recorded COVID-19 positive patient has died.
Church services to continue with smaller congregations and online
Church services on Grand Cayman will go ahead tomorrow, but will be limited to congregations of 50 people. Services will also be broadcast live online, church leaders said.
Health City temporarily closes as staff are tested for coronavirus
Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee has said some members of staff at Health City Cayman Islands have fallen ill “what is presumed to be COVID-19.”
CAL passenger in coronavirus scare
A Cayman Airways passenger was taken from a plane by ambulance Friday afternoon as anxiety over the potential spread of the coronavirus deepened.
Insurance companies working with government on virus
Private insurance companies in Cayman say they are working with the Cayman Islands government on covering healthcare costs relating to the coronavirus.
First confirmed case of COVID-19 in Cayman
The first case of the coronavirus has been confirmed in the Cayman Islands, according to Premier Alden McLaughlin.
Shoppers panic buy as government urges calm
Residents were filling shopping carts and baskets with toilet tissue, cleaning products and cases of water at local stores Thursday after the World Health Organization designated the coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic, all this ahead of the government announcing later in the day that Cayman had its first confirmed case of coronavirus.
Could coronavirus trigger the next financial crisis?
The stock markets on Thursday reacted with significant losses to President Donald Trump’s decision to ban travel to the US from 26 EU countries in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19.
No truth to fake WhatsApp ‘breaking news’ message
A WhatsApp message purporting to be a breaking news alert from the Cayman Compass has started circulating locally and the public is advised not to click on the link as this is not a legitimate news item nor is its contents true.
Updated: Government urges public not to panic buy
To dispel rumours of supply shortages, Hazard Management Cayman Islands has confirmed that freight ships carrying food supplies and household products continue to arrive on island as normal.
Princess Cruises and Viking Cruises cancel calls
Princess Cruises and Viking Cruises have announced that they are cancelling their cruises in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
Education officials: No coronavirus at CIFEC
The Department of Education Services issued a statement Wednesday evening denying a rumour circulating through a WhatsApp message of a case of coronavirus being found at the Cayman Islands Further Education Centre (CIFEC).
