Topic: Premier Alden McLaughlin
Premier: No pay cuts planned
Premier Alden McLaughlin has said Cayman is not considering following the moves of Bermudian legislators who are set to take a 12.5% salary cut and slash civil servants' pay by 10% to help address the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Turning Cayman’s tourism around in a COVID world
Department of Tourism Director Rosa Harris says she is confident in the Cayman's tourism industry’s resilience and ability to bounce back.
West Bay celebrates centenarian Florie Hulda Ebanks
The West Bay community came out to celebrate resident Florie Hulda Ebanks as she marked her 103rd birthday on Thursday.
Employers to foot bill for work-permit holders’ isolation
All work-permit holders returning to Cayman will be required to isolate for 14 day at government’s isolation facilities, but it will be on their employers’ dime, according to new conditions released on Friday.
Premier steadfast in holding off on border reopening
While some Caribbean countries like Aruba, Antigua and St Lucia are looking to reopen their borders to tourists in the coming weeks, even as early as next month, Cayman will not be going that route.
Law named after missing DEH worker Anna Evans
Missing mom Anna Evans has been etched into the law books of the Cayman Islands as legislators agreed Wednesday night to rename the Presumption of Death Law in her memory.
Miller renews call for clear timetable for LA meetings
North Side MLA Ezzard Miller has thrown his support behind the Opposition’s decision to walk out of the Legislative Assembly in protest Wednesday, saying they were right to do so.
Opposition walks out after motions omitted from LA meeting
Opposition Leader Arden McLean led a walkout at the Legislative Assembly Wednesday after he flagged concerns over the omission of opposition motions and questions from the order paper.
Premier: 1 Sept. border reopening unlikely
Cayman's borders could remain closed beyond 1 Sept., Premier Alden McLaughlin said on Tuesday.
Cayman mourns Olive Miller
Olive Hilda Miller passed away at The Pines Retirement Home on Tuesday, at the age of 98.
Shedden Road upgrades ongoing
Upgrades to Shedden Road in George Town are continuing, with asphalt from a portion of the road from the Thomas Russel Avenue intersection cleared in preparation for repairs and re-paving.
17 new COVID-19 cases reported as restrictions rolled back
Cayman's COVID-19 tally increases to 111 as 17 new positive results were reported Tuesday by Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee reported at government's coronavirus press conference.
School bus contractors warned to pay employees
Following complaints lodged by employees, Premier Alden McLaughlin has reminded school bus operators that they have a responsibility to pay their workers.
Phased reopening of construction industry begins next week
Government is pushing ahead with its plans to reopen Cayman’s construction industry through a phased approach beginning next week, Premier Alden McLaughlin has announced.
One new COVID-19 case reported
Cayman's COVID-19 cases have increased by one, according to statistics released by Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee Tuesday afternoon.
Premier: Testing Cabinet for COVID-19 not priority
Premier Alden McLaughlin has said that testing himself and his Cabinet for COVID-19 is "not a priority” right now.
Gradual reopening of economy on course, despite 3 new COVID cases
Government remains hopeful that the phased reopening of the economy can continue despite a handful of frontline workers testing positive for the coronavirus in the latest screening.
Premier: EU blacklist remains concern
Premier Alden McLaughlin has said the European Union’s blacklisting of the Cayman Islands remains “a source of major worry and concern” especially with the economy now heavily reliant on the Financial Services industry.
Cabinet confirms borders closed until at least September
Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell confirmed Thursday that Cayman’s borders will remain officially closed until 1 Sept. as he disclosed that cruise ships will not be allowed to call on local ports until the seaport is reopened.
Patience urged on pension withdrawals
Deputy Director of Pensions Amy Wolliston has called for patience as thousands of employees and employers seek to make withdrawals from private pension fund providers.
General Registry resumes limited services
Government's General Registry Department, which is in charge of issuing critical documentation for births and death, will resume issuing hard copies of those certificates on Wednesday.
Cabinet to consider extending border closure till September
Cayman’s borders could remain closed at least until September if Cabinet assents to a new paper heading its way.
138 overstayers leave Cayman using amnesty protection
A total of 138 overstayers have made use of the Customs and Border Control amnesty launched late last month.
Premier appeals to civil servants to stop leaking information
Premier Alden McLaughlin called on civil servants to stop leaking information to the public before formal decisions are taken in Cayman’s COVID-19 crisis response.
Curfew extended until new regulations in place
Cayman's curfew and shelter in place restrictions are set to remain in place in the coming days until the new regulations kick in.
Traffic Law changes take effect
New changes to the Traffic Law to allow motorists to renew their vehicle licence without the need for a new certificate of roadworthiness is now in effect.
Premier says ‘radical rethink’ needed for pensions
Premier Alden McLaughlin has called for a “radical rethink” when it comes to how Cayman’s current private pensions system operates.
Premier addresses Seymour, CNS exchange
Premier Alden McLaughlin has apologised for what he described as the “unfortunate exchange” between Health Minister Dwayne Seymour and Cayman News Service journalist Wendy Ledger, saying it had set off an “absolute firestorm.”
Roper assents to pensions changes
Premier Alden McLaughlin said he expects changes to Pension Law to take effect this week.
Premier: Labour Law changes seek to reduce terminations
New Labour Law changes will now see employers continue to pay health insurance for dismissed employees for another 30 days while deferring severance packages for the same period.
Seniors get supermarket surprise
Seniors shopping on Wednesday and Thursday got a special supermarket surprise when the Caribbean Utilities Company picked up their tab at the counter.
McKeeva Bush charged with common assault, disorderly conduct
House Speaker McKeeva Bush has been charged with assault arising out of an incident at a West Bay Road bar.
Pension Law changes passed
Premier Alden McLaughlin has piloted Pension Law changes which will allow workers to access to their pension funds to ride out the current COVID-19 storm.
NAU records 165% increase in food voucher requests
The number of people seeking help to feed themselves and their families has jumped by 165 per cent, according to the latest data from the Needs Assessment Unit.
Legislative Assembly sittings planned for next week
Lawmakers are set to meet next week to discuss changes to local legislation which would allow private sector employees access to their pension funds.
UPDATED: 40 samples from George Town apartment complex negative for virus
The 40 samples taken from residents at a George Town apartment complex where a coronavirus patient was said to have failed to isolate all came back negative for the virus.
Requests for Cayman test kits grows
Premier Alden McLaughlin has said Cayman has fielded requests for test kits from at least six different countries within the region.
Frontline staff to be tested next week
Frontline staff across the Cayman Islands will undergo coronavirus testing "early next week", said Premier Alden McLaughlin as he addressed online criticism of his government's handling of the COVID-19 crisis.
Cayman sells 20,000 COVID test kits to Barbados
Cayman has sold 20,000 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test kits for COVID-19 to the Government of Barbados.
UPDATE: US authorities release Cayman medical supplies
Medical supplies purchased by the Health Services Authority have been confiscated by the United States Government, Premier Alden McLaughlin confirmed.
Money transfer services in limbo
Government has rejected one of two proposals for money transfer services to reopen during soft curfew hours.
Easter Bunny exempted from curfew restrictions
It’s official, the Easter Bunny has been declared an essential worker and is now exempted from Cayman’s curfew hours.
Airports likely to remain closed until at least 30 May
Cayman's borders are likely to stay closed until the end of May, Premier Alden McLaughlin said Tuesday.
4 students among 6 new virus cases
The Cayman Islands has six new cases of the coronavirus, including four students who had been quarantined at a local hotel, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee announced today at the daily COVID-19 briefing.
NAU applications on the rise
The demand for Needs Assessment Unit assistance by vulnerable Caymanians is increasing as some 136 new applications are set to be processed this week.
Premier apologises to governor on behalf of Cayman for ‘vile’ voice note
Premier Alden McLaughlin has apologised to Governor Martyn Roper following what he termed a “disgusting behaviour” in an audio note which was circulated on social media over the weekend.
Baby shops allowed to open
Local baby shops are now allowed to operate under the new ‘shelter in place’ rules, Premier Alden McLaughlin announced.
True COVID-19 picture unknown
Chief Medical Officer Dr John Lee has said the true picture of Cayman’s COVID-19 spread remains unknown as testing has been limited by World Health Organisation protocols, but he intends to widen testing locally when supplies increase.
Premier: Supermarkets assure Cayman’s food supply ‘in great shape’
Premier Alden McLaughlin has said local suppliers have advised him that Cayman is in a “great shape” when it comes to food as he addressed concerns over shortages in some supplies at local supermarkets.
Cuban doctors being recruited for Cayman frontline
A request has been sent to the Cuban government for between 50 to 100 Cuban medical professionals to be sent to Cayman to join local health care workers in the COVID-19 battle.
6 new virus cases reported, first on Brac
The Cayman Islands has six new cases of coronavirus, including the first reported case on Cayman Brac, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee announced Saturday at the government’s daily briefing.
Private aircraft to collect 200,000 testing kits for Cayman
Government has secured a private aircraft to deliver 200, 000 COVID-19 testing kits from South Korea, Governor Martyn Roper has said.
Plans for workers to access pensions in the works
Premier Alden McLaughlin says he would be in a position to announce a formal plan to allow workers to tap into their pension savings could be announced by next week.
Premier: Pool maintenance ‘not essential’
Premier Alden McLaughlin held his ground clarifying that pool maintenance is not an essential service as he tried once again to get the community to comply with shelter in place provisions.
Premier: Health of frontline staff a major concern
The health of Cayman’s frontline staff, and the country’s ability to provide human resources to bolster any shortfalls should they fall ill, continues to be a source of sleepless nights for local leaders, according to Premier Alden McLaughlin.
Governor warns public against seeking out COVID-19 patients
Governor Martyn Roper has expressed “serious concerns” that members of the community are actively trying to find out who are Cayman’s positive COVID-19 patients and where they live.
One-off payments made to vulnerable Caymanians
Premier Alden McLaughlin has said promised off-payments to Cayman’s vulnerable groups have been delivered.
UPDATE: US shipment of COVID-19 testing supplies arrives
Cayman’s rapidly dwindling supply of COVID-19 testing material is set to get a double boost this week with two consignments scheduled to hit local shores in the coming days.
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.
$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.
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.
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.
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.
Officials confirm patient died of COVID-19 complications
The Italian cruise shipper confirmed as Cayman's first recorded COVID-19 positive patient has died.
$1.1 million for coronavirus fight
The Cayman Islands government has allocated $1.1 million to prepare for the COVID-19 threat.
Premier says sorry for landfill fires
Premier Alden McLaughlin has apologised for the landfill fires that Cayman’s firefighters and Department of Environmental Health crews have been battling for the last three days.
Firefighters battle dump blaze for second day
Firefighters continued to battle a raging fire at the George Town landfill for a second day on Monday, competing with high winds as they tried to control the blaze.
Port battle continues, government files appeal
Government has appealed the Grand Court’s decision to strike down the port referendum law, which set out the conditions for a people’s vote on the controversial plans for new cruise piers in George Town Harbour.
Premier: Cayman to face economic headwinds
After years of positive economic growth, Cayman is likely to face an economic downturn that will come sooner and be more intense than previously thought, according to Premier Alden McLaughlin.
Panton, Bodden ditch Progressives
Former PPM ministers Wayne Panton and Osbourne Bodden have resigned from the People’s Progressive Party.
McLaughlin: Port project ‘almost certainly lost’
The planned cruise berthing facility is in jeopardy after the Grand Court quashed the Referendum Law in February, Premier Alden McLaughlin admitted on Friday.
