Our tender, crispy butterfly shrimp, served up in our Buttermilk Biscuit breading with our Red Pepper Jelly sauce. Pair it with a Signature Side and biscuit. cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 75 CENTS | Funding local journalism | Monday, 2 March 2020 NEWS Travel restrictions to manage coronavirus begins Page 2 Red Sky at Night delivers delights Miss Teen Cayman Ashley Gooden in traditional dress at Saturday’s cultural festival. Page 6 ISSUES Time to take climate change seriously Page 11 NEWS Miller calling for no confidence vote in Bush Page 3Matinees (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $8.00 (Mon-Fri before 6pm) Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets 640-FILM (640-3456) Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any film starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. WHAT’S PLAYING THIS WEEK MONDAY, MARCH 2 BAD BOYS FOR LIFE (R) 12:55 VIP | 1:40 | 4:00 VIP | 7:00 VIP | 7:20 | 9:45 BRAHMS: THE BOY II (PG-13) 12:30 | 2:45 | 4:50 | 10:15 CALL OF THE WILD (PG) 1:40 | 4:20 | 6:50 | 9:20 THE INVISIBLE MAN (R) 1:10 | 4:05 | 7:00 | 9:55 VIP LOVE AAJ KAL (PG) 5:00 | 8:10 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG (PG) 12:45 | 3:40 | 6:40 | 9:10 PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Cayman Compass Ltd. Compass Centre, Shedden Road, George Town, Cayman Islands SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman, KY1-1108 Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email:newsdesk@compassmedia.ky ADVERTISE WITH US: T: (345) 949-5111 E: sales@compassmedia.ky W: caymancompass.com PUBLISHER KATHLEEN CAPETTA EDITOR IN CHIEF KEVIN MORALES Partly cloudy skies with a 20% chance of showers. weather Forecast today Cayman Islands 82°F 74°F HIGH LOW WINDS East to northeast at 15 to 20 knots becoming east to southeasterly from the evening. SEA STATE Rough with wave heights of 4 to 6 feet. Small Craft Advisory remains in effect. FIND US ONLINE Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass JEWEL LEVY jlevy@compassmedia.ky Cayman public health officials are advising against non-essential travel to a host of countries, including France, Germany, Italy and Thailand, amid growing global fears over the spread of coronavirus. Visitors who have been in China, the epicentre of the virus, in the preceding 14 days, will be denied entry into the Cayman Islands as part of a raft of new travel restrictions introduced by Cayman’s Cabinet members last week. The Ministry of Health, Public Health officials and the management of the Health Services Authority confirmed there are no cases of the COVID-19 virus in the Cayman Islands. But, in order to protect residents, government is advising against travel to countries where five or more cases of the virus have been reported. Any Cayman Islands residents who have travelled to mainland China will be quarantined under the direction of the Medical Officer of Health, most likely in their own home. The new travel restrictions were agreed by Cabinet under the Public Health Law [2000 Revision] on Tuesday and announced to the public on Friday. “As always, our first priority is to keep Caymanians and residents safe and mitigate any public health threat expeditiously,” said Health Minister Dwayne Seymour on Friday in a government statement. The restrictions will take immediate effect. Over the weekend, the United States announced its first coronavirus death. According to US media reports, of the 86,500 cases confirmed globally, at least 2,976 have been fatal – 2,870 of which were in China. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said the US has reached 71 confirmed cases of the virus. The Ministry of Health and the Public Health Department in Cayman also issued travel advice that the public should avoid all but essential travel to mainland China until there is a measurable change in the global situation and the ban is lifted. Additionally, the statement said, people travelling to countries with significant in-country transmission of COVID-19 should consider the need for the journey and whether it might be postponed or re-organised. Health officials are asking people who have returned within the last 14 days from locations where there is a risk of COVID-19 to advise Public Health immediately if they have a cough, fever or shortness of breath. Seymour said he had been assured that border control measures are under way to screen passengers on all flights and vessels from mainland China, and for people who have been in, or transited through, mainland China in the past 14 days. “I want to continue to remind the public to be vigilant and to assure the people of the Cayman Islands that we are prepared for this threat to global health,” Seymour said. Officials in Cayman say they have the capability to manage any imported cases of the coronavirus and continue to activate national contingency plans as needed. Cabinet has also approved funding for the Health Services Authority for the preparation and implementation of a coronavirus treatment unit. Travel restrictions to manage coronavirus begins Common symptoms of coronavirus include shortness of breath and cough, along with flu-like symptoms and fever. Residents are being reminded to ‘be in the know’ about COVID-19 when travelling abroad, and to practise infection control measures, such as frequent hand cleansing with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser; covering nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing; avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections; and avoiding unprotected contact with farm or wild animals when travelling. The Ministry of Health recommends only essential travel between the Cayman Islands and the following countries where five or more cases of exposure to COVID-19 has occurred: France Germany Hong Kong Iran Italy Japan Macau Republic of Korea Singapore Taiwan Thailand United Arab Emirates Vietnam For more information, contact the Public Health Department on 244-2621 or visit www.hsa. ky/public-health/coronavirus. Fast facts: Coronavirus A health worker wearing a protective suit adjusts his glasses as he prepares to transport patients in Daegu, South Korea, on Sunday. cayman compass 2 news N news MONDAY, 2 MARCH 2020RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky North Side MLA Ezzard Miller is calling on the Opposition to join him in convening a special sitting of the Legislative Assembly to debate a motion of no confidence in House Speaker McKeeva Bush. He issued the call for Opposition support so the House can also meet to elect a new Deputy Speaker following MLA Bernie Bush’s resignation from that post last week. Miller, who has been vocal in his call for McKeeva Bush to resign over allegations of assault, kept the pressure on in a statement issued Friday morning. “The Cayman Islands is on the verge of a constitutional crisis. To forestall this, we, the Members of the Legislative Assembly, must assume our responsibility by invoking the relevant provisions of the Cayman Islands Constitution and the Legislature’s Standing Orders to deal with such matters,” Miller said. Deputy Opposition Leader Alva Suckoo, when contacted by the Cayman Compass, said the Opposition was giving Miller’s request “serious consideration”. The Compass understands some members of the official Opposition met on Saturday to discuss Miller’s request, as well as other alternatives put forward by members of the public. The meeting continued on Sunday afternoon and, as of press time, those matters were still being discussed. The Compass also reached out to Bodden Town West MLA Chris Saunders for comment. He said his position is firm – that it should be dealt with in the Legislative Assembly and, if required, he will issue his own statement. If seven members of the House sign a “written requisition” requesting a special session, it is mandatory for the Speaker to trigger the sitting, the Cayman Compass understands. However, if government members choose not to attend the session, leaving the possibility of an insufficient quorum of members for any decisions taken to be binding. On Wednesday, McKeeva Bush announced he was taking an immediate leave of absence as Speaker to seek professional help to deal with the loss of his daughter who passed in January 2011. That decision followed allegations that he assaulted a woman at the Coral Beach bar on Friday, 21 Feb. Police are investigating the incident but no arrest had been made as of Sunday afternoon. On Thursday, Opposition MLA Bernie Bush, who as Deputy Speaker would have stepped into the role of Speaker during McKeeva Bush's leave of absence, announced he was resigning as Deputy Speaker "on principle”. Premier Alden McLaughlin said that, at the next meeting of the House, members would elect a new Deputy Speaker. He said the member to be offered for election as Deputy Speaker will be announced in “due course”. The premier indicated Thursday that no date had been set for the next Legislative Assembly sitting. Miller: Action needed Miller said in his statement that it is obvious that the Speaker “will not do the honourable thing and resign”, nor will the premier and the Unity Government revoke the current Speaker’s election. Miller instead is attempting to invoke the Legislative Assembly’s Standing Order 8(2), which states that “the Presiding Officer [the Speaker] may, in his discretion, summon a meeting of the House and shall do so on the written requisition signed by not less than seven members, stating the terms of the motion or motions which they wish to debate. Notice of any such meeting shall be given to Members as soon as possible by the Clerk”. To achieve the required numbers, Miller said he is inviting the Leader of the Opposition and his five colleagues to join him in requesting a special meeting of the Legislative Assembly. “I would be happy to sign as the seventh Member in accordance with the stated provisions of the Standing Orders,” he said. It is understood that if all seven members sign the request, it would be mandatory for the Speaker, still officially McKeeva Bush, to call a special meeting of the House. If and how that would happen given Bush’s leave of absence is still up in the air. Miller added that the special meeting of the House would be to debate two motions: the first, to elect a Deputy Speaker and, the second, to debate a motion of no confidence in the current Speaker. “As duly elected representatives of the people in the nineteen electoral districts, it is our responsibility to act in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and do the right thing for these beloved Islands in safeguarding the reputation of the Legislative Assembly and of the Cayman Islands,” Miller said. The North Side MLA said that the matter was “urgent,” as while there is no written code of conduct for legislators, there is an implicit code to which every member subscribes. “At the core of our unwritten code of conduct is a pledge to safeguard the respect necessary to maintaining the trust and confidence of the local population and the international community. When we damage that respect, as has so obviously happened in this case, then our fidelity to the institution that we serve and represent must be challenged,” Miller said. He explained that invoking the relevant constitutional and legislative provisions to address the situation has become necessary. The Compass reached out to the Premier’s Office for comment on Miller’s call, but no response was received by press time Sunday. Meanwhile, the RCIPS has said its investigation into the alleged assault is “still ongoing and progressing expeditiously”. “However, at this time, we are unable to divulge any specific details of the investigation to public as this could hinder ongoing inquiries,” the police told the Compass Saturday. Police renewed its call for patrons who were at the Coral Beach on the night of the alleged incident to come forward and speak with the police or use the RCIPS confidential line at 949-7777. “Detectives are aware that there were a number of patrons present at the time the incident occurred and are still seeking the assistance of patrons,” police said. Miller calls for Bush vote of no confidence What’s next? Members will elect a new Deputy Speaker at the next Legislative Assembly sitting. The Deputy Speaker must be an MLA, who is not a government minister. RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky House Speaker McKeeva Bush has refuted claims that public funds were used for his United Kingdom trip last week. Bush, who returned to Cayman Saturday night from London, responded to social media claims that he went to the UK to meet with Premier Alden McLaughlin and his trip was funded from the public coffers. Last week, he told the Cayman Compass that he was in London for a previously arranged trip to attend a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association meeting. It was during that trip that Premier McLaughlin, who was already in London for talks with the UK on the European Union’s blacklisting of Cayman as well as trade matters, met with Bush over allegations that the Speaker was involved in the assault of the female manager at Coral Beach bar on West Bay Road. After his meeting with the premier, Bush announced that he will be taking an immediate leave of absence from Speaker duties. Bush, as the deputy chairman of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Small Branches Executive Council, “is the representative for all Commonwealth small countries”, he said, adding that “the entire meeting’s cost, including airline and hotel cost, is paid by CPA Headquarters in London”. He said the council finished its meeting in London on Friday. “I’m the Deputy Chair for Commonwealth Small Countries. I and the CPA Coordinating Committee met in London on 27 Feb. with the lawyers of CPA to discuss a number of matters as mandated by the CPA General Assembly which was held in Kampala, Uganda, in September 2019,” he said in a statement to the Compass. He said the meeting was “most important” as it was held to deliberate on grievances and disputes between the Secretary General of the CPA, who was put on leave in October, and the chair of the CPA, who is the Deputy Speaker of the Cameroon parliament. “[It was also] to conclude disciplinary actions thereof and to review new applications for the post of Secretary General. They also discussed the preparations for the forthcoming CPA Mid-Year Executive Committee meeting to be held in Assam, India, from 24 to 28 April 2020,” Bush said. Bush: No public funds used in UK trip House Speaker McKeeva Bush participating in Friday's CPA meeting in London. 3FridAY'S SOLUTiONS 1234567 8 9 10 11 12131415 1617 1819 20212223 24 25 26 27 1234567 8 9 10 11 12131415 1617 1819 20212223 24 25 26 27 Puzzle 16313 ACROSS: 1 Diamond, 5 Fibre, 8 Melbourne, 9 Rat, 10 Ruse, 12 Schubert, 14 Dvorak, 15 Income, 17 Makeover, 18 Java, 21 Too, 22 Amsterdam, 24 Dummy, 25 Respect. DOWN: 1 Demur, 2 All, 3 Oboe, 4 Direct, 5 Frequent, 6 Barcelona, 7 Entitle, 11 Stockholm, 13 Mahogany, 14 Demoted, 16 Geyser, 19 Admit, 20 Zeus, 23 Doe. ACrOSS 1 Grant (5) 8 Flow-regulating valve (8) 9 Direct and to the point (5) 10 Hermetically sealed (8) 11 Entrance hall (5) 12 Rainy (3) 16 Safe against attack (6) 17 Away from the point (6) 18 Software fault (3) 23 Complete trust (5) 24 Principal support (8) 25 Begin again (5) 26 Roomy (8) 27 Utter fool (5) dOWN 2 Uncontested victory (8) 3 Small light car or boat (8) 4 Deal a blow (6) 5 Malice (5) 6 Waterlogged (5) 7 Fish of ray family (5) 12 Spider’s trap (3) 13 An attached label (3) 14 Be in store (3,5) 15 Very much in fashion (3,3,2) 19 A planet (6) 20 Shatter (5) 21 A backless couch (5) 22 ‘Plain text’ computer code (5) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16315 The numbers in the black cells are clues. Numbers above the slash are across clues. Number below the slash are down clues. The goal is to enter digits 1 - 9 in the white cells to add up to the number clues. You cannot enter any digit more than once when adding up to clue. cartoon Taxi complaint - By Caymanman Letters to the editor We are finishing our yearly winter stay in a condo on Seven Mile Beach and experienced our first year of dealing with the new Foster’s supermarket. While we certainly miss the convenience of the old one, my concern is not convenience but safety. Our route to Foster’s is to cross West Bay Road, cross the roundabout at Blue Cilantro, and walk to the roundabout on Esterley Tibbetts (southwest corner). Crossing the two lanes of traffic going north is not a problem and there is a cutout in the median. It is crossing the two southbound lanes that is a nightmare and dangerous. The centre of the roundabout was mounded and nicely landscaped. Because of the mound, you cannot see traffic coming south until it is right on top of you. Most don’t use a turn signal, so you don’t know if they are going to continue through the roundabout west, turn east into Foster’s, or continue south. We cannot see them coming and conversely they cannot see a pedestrian until they are almost through the roundabout. Additionally, it is pretty dark in this area. It is just a matter of time before someone gets hit by a car. The speed of cars on the Esterley Tibbetts Highway is fast and there is not much time for either the driver or the pedestrian to react. It is also not a marked pedestrian crosswalk and no flashing lights. Yes, I do miss pushing my cart back to the condo. A taxi to Foster’s, wait time and back, is at least US$20. But, most of all, I don’t like the risk of getting hit. At minimum, that mound of landscaping needs to be reduced so there is a sight line for cars and for people. Cindy Smith Visitor raises safety concern for road users The COVID-19 coronavirus is a threat to mankind throughout the world. We are witnessing a pandemic develop is all our countries. Few of us can remember the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918, that took millions of lives, and no one heeds the bubonic plague of the 1300s that pruned the population of Europe. The Cayman Islands government is to be commended for not allowing a cruise ship with a [suspected] coronavirus patient aboard to berth in Grand Cayman. We are in the sights of a global epidemic of a virus beyond our knowledge today. Nan Socolow Concerns over coronavirus Online What they’re saying Italian cruise ship allowed to disembark in Cayman Cayman is in no position to treat this virus so why in the world are they allowing these ships to dock? I don’t understand. Alyssa Gilbert They will deny all when it too late. It’s better to deny cruise from everywhere till this deadly virus is cured. It’s spreading everywhere now... this is so scary. I just hope it does not here. Shan Jefferson It is better to be safe than sorry. Don’t take no chances and let people in. Dominique Henry Italy is the centre of a massive outbreak in Europe. Jamaican au- thorities did the right thing barring anyone from there from landing. They should have really barred the whole ship, to be honest. Ian Hemming Small fire at the George Town landfill Oh, great, so not only is there toxic runoff, but now toxic fumes from Mount Trashmore. Andy Marshall Wonder what they burning now, or what’s the cause of it? This extreme heat today? Rafael Hasbun Cayman travel restrictions commences Yet they don’t stop the cruise ships. Linda Shaw Guthier How many people have been checked? Massimo Crigna Editorial: It’s time for Bush to resign Chances are everyone has or will go through a difficult time in their lives, so does this mean everyone gets a ‘get out of jail free’ card? There is never a valid excuse for abuse or violence! Lenny Verhoeven Agree with Mr. Ezzard Miller. We need to see new faces in gov- ernment, perhaps young ones. Lilly Archibold Well written. Also, I am think- ing of all of the women who are triggered by this news, because they’ve experienced similar abuse and may have continued to suffer in silence. Nicole Eastman The great rush hour race Very interesting! Thank you, Compass, for this experiment and traffic series. I recommend you pair up with Arkadiy Gershman who travels the world and posts his videos on YouTube under 'cities are for people' to get his opinion. Heads of large regions and cities pay attention and fol- low his advice. He is considered to be an expert in what to do and what not when it comes to roads design and traffic. L. Bell Bush takes leave of absence as Speaker Should be a leave of absence 'without pay'. Jay Easterbrook A tale of two territories: how Bermuda deals with traffic The only answer is public transportation. No clue how to do it, but there are experts in the field and the government should start using them. Bruce Leibowitz cayman compass 4 news N news MONDAY, 2 MARCH 2020Caribbean Fest Register today, space limited Date: Sunday, 29 March 2020 Location: Compass Centre Time: 12pm – 3pm Compass Media is excited to bring together the eclectic and varied tastes of the Caribbean to one event; Grace Flava Caribbean Fest . We’re inviting both amateur and professional chefs to present their best Caribbean dish. “Curry Goat, Oxtail, Jerk Fish, Festivals, Rundown; the more flava the betta!” $50 Vendors entry fee to reserve your spot Consumers will sample from each vendor and then VOTE for their favourite Flava! Winners will be determined by votes: First prize $1000 KY Grace prize $500 KY Winners recipe will also be published in our Flava Recipe Booklet Reserve your space: sign up and pay fees at Compass Centre front desk, 949 5111 ext 219es atCom f cayman compass 5 MONDAY, 2 MARCH 2020CAROLINA LOPEZ clopez@compassmedia.ky Visitors and residents got a taste of local culture Saturday night at the annual Red Sky at Night event at the F.J. Harquail Cultural Centre. Organised by the Cayman National Cultural Foundation, the evening featured local artisans, artists, dancers, musicians, storytellers and other live cultural demonstrations. Henry Muttoo, artistic director of CNCF, said the purpose of Red Sky at Night is to embrace and connect all the cultures in the Cayman Islands, while keeping Caymanian traditions alive. “A lot of the elements in the festival is pulled from the older Caymanian traditions, but at the same time, we understand that the culture has changed,” Muttoo said. “There are new elements, new people here, and they are bringing their own elements, which is now slowly becoming part of the culture.” Muttoo said cultural traditions survive when a society remembers and celebrates them. “If we don’t make those traditions survive, then what is going to happen? The people who grew up and understand a particular tradition or culture are going to feel lost in the society,” he said. Denniston Tibbetts, president of the Seafarers Association, read an excerpt from the Southwell Years at the Caymanian Village section of the grounds. He said it is important to show everyone what Cayman is all about. “Most people who come here or come to live here from overseas, they don’t know where we are coming from, so the last two years that I’ve been president, I been trying to promote the seafarers, and it’s very important to tell our story,” Tibbetts said. Young dancers from Savannah Primary School attracted a crowd with their maypole dance. Teacher Dorinda Wilson said the girls enjoyed working with Radiance Dance Studio to learn the traditional dance. “It’s part of the Caymanian tradition of dance that used to be done a long time ago,” she said. “It’s learning to appreciate your culture and where you’re coming from and understanding that maypole actually incorporates other aspects of other dances, like modern contemporary and a little bit of the African rhythm.” Red Sky at Night delivers delights Savannah Primary School students show their maypole dance talents. Carmen Conolly shows her work to visitors to her crafts and quilt embroidery stall. Donovan Sewell at his D.Sewell Finearts stall. A girl watches as cane juice is made in the traditional way.Alejandro Whitaker, Kelee Jackson, Aliyah Christian and Hannah Ritch-Whiteside at the Caps-Off table. Artist Ailaine Barnes shows some of her wares at her stall. Annalee Ebanks plaits silver thatch. cayman compass news N news MONDAY, 2 MARCH 2020 6Course: Starts and ends at Ristorante Pappagallo, Conch Point Road, West Bay Start Time: 6:00 a.m. (Walkers) and 6:30 a.m. (Runners). Check-in time is 5:15 a.m. (to receive numbers (all participants) and race chips (for runners) Fee: CI$15 Adults and CI$10 Youth (Under 17) Registration: 1) Register online at www.caymanactive.com 2) Download the PDF form from CUC’s website at www.cuc-cayman.com (click on “Events” under the “About Us” tab on the Home Page). Complete, scan and e-mail the form to communications@cuc.ky 3) Forms can also be dropped-off and payments made by cash or cheque (payable to CUC) at CUC’s Administration Building on North Sound Road on Tuesday, March 3rd, Wednesday, March 4th and Thursday, March 5th between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Participants who register online can also collect their t-shirts from CUC on those three days in March. There will be no registration on the day of the event Amenities: First 250 participants will receive a t-shirt (sizes are not guaranteed) and all participants will receive a participation medal, bag, cap and water bottle following the event. Light refreshments will be provided at the end of the event. Trophies for the fastest and second fastest adults and youth (Under 17). Contacts: CUC’s Pat Bynoe-Clarke (914-1107), Patrick Barnes (914-1136) and Neil Murray (914-1110) or e-mail communications@cuc.ky Saturday, March 7th, 2020 CUC is taking to the streets again in West Bay on Saturday, March 7th, 2020 for a fun run and walk as we raise money for the Sunrise Adult Training Centre and the Cayman Islands Athletic Association (CIAA). Everyone is welcome to join us. Starts and ends at Ristorante Papagallo, Conch Point Road, West Bay Register online at www.caymanactive.com or at CUC’s Administration Building on North Sound Road on Tuesday, March 3rd, Wednesday, March 4th and Thursday, March 5th between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. No registration on race day. CAROLINA LOPEZ clopez@compassmedia.ky A group of demonstrators converged outside the Glasshouse in George Town on Friday to protest about violence against women. The protest was organised in the aftermath of allegations that Speaker of the House McKeeva Bush was involved in an assault on the female manager of the Coral Beach bar on Seven Mile Beach on 21 Feb. Several of the approximately 100 protesters held up ‘She is Supported’ signs – a slogan and hashtag that has emerged on social media over the past week to show solidarity with the assault victim. Others held signs saying ‘No excuse for abuse’ and ‘You will never have the comfort of our silence again’. Organiser Angela Pretorius said at the protest on Friday, “We need to stand in unity against that kind of behaviour. That behaviour is not acceptable and we’ll definitely not be accepting that behaviour from the leadership of our country.” In a statement released on Monday, 24 Feb., Bush said he was told he fell, and reacted badly to those who assisted him. In that statement, he also spoke about his need to seek professional help to deal with the death of his daughter, who died in 2011, and address his relationship with alcohol. Bush announced later in the week that he was taking a leave of absence from his role as Speaker. Bernie Bush, who resigned as Deputy Speaker on Friday, was at Friday’s protest, where he said more education is needed on gender-based violence, and that Caymanians need to speak out about it. “I think, as a society, we should always hope to be better people, and gender-based violence is something that’s gone on and been covered up for too long,” he said. “There’s always some straw that breaks the camel’s back and maybe God in his wisdom saw fit that this was the thing that finally brought it up front.” Deputy Leader of the Opposition Alva Suckoo also attended the protest and said he came out to listen to the community. “This issue has caused a lot of concern in the community and ... for us, the elected representatives, as well, and we want to resolve it peacefully,” Suckoo said. Demonstrator Stacy Foster said she hoped Friday’s protest would lead to a resolution. “Violence of any kind is just uncalled for. Not only is it against the law, it’s against human spirit, and any time something like that happens, it breaks the human spirit, and we can’t stand for that,” Foster said. Another protester, Miriam Foster, said it was extremely important that the community shows that it has zero tolerance for violence against women, and she called for better government policies against this type of behavior. “The first thing I did when I heard about the incident was look up the code of conduct and it was really sad to see that there is nothing. So that’s the first thing we need to address, is a code of conduct, because it’s not just violence against women, it’s violence against anyone,” she said. Protesters show ‘she is supported’ Protesters stand against gender-based violence outside of the Glasshouse, the former Government Administration Building, on Friday. 7Passengers barred entry to Jamaica, welcomed in Cayman All passengers from an Italian cruise ship, the Costa Luminosa, were allowed to disembark in Grand Cayman Saturday morning, despite anxiety over coronavirus. Italians on board the ship were restricted from landing when it docked in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, on Friday, as a precautionary measure against the potential spread of the virus. No such restrictions were put in place by Cayman authorities, however. The ship was anchored off Spotts and passengers of all nationalities were being tendered to shore Saturday. Though there have been hundreds of cases of the virus in Italy and the country has been placed on a travel watch list for Caymanians, there is no evidence that anyone on board the Costa Luminosa had symptoms of the virus. Public Health officials in Cayman confirmed that they were not aware of any medical issues with the ship. Current travel restrictions into Cayman only impact people who have been to mainland China within the last 14 days. Port officials said they had no reason to withhold entry to any passengers on board. Joseph Woods, director of the Port Authority, said they would not bar passengers from disembarking simply for being Italian. “There is no need for any public fear, alarm or panic,” he said. “There is good collaboration and cooperation between the cruise lines, ourselves, Customs and Border Control, and Public Health.” He said every ship coming in to Cayman received a maritime declaration of health prior to arrival. “If there is no cause for concern, the call is allowed,” he said. Woods said cruise lines were actively screening passengers in an effort to prevent someone who may have been exposed to it reaching local shores. He added, “Our local Public Health authorities have very good guidelines in place and it has worked through all of the outbreaks of SARS, ebola, swine flu and Norwalk viruses. We are all working to keep commerce going while at the same time preventing the spread of the virus.” Outside of Asia, Italy has been the country most impacted by the COVID-19 virus. As of Sunday, the number of confirmed cases in Italy had risen to almost 1,700, with a death toll of 34, according to Reuters news agency. The Costa Luminosa, an Italy- registered vessel, had a crew of 1,000 and can accommodate up to 3,750 passengers. The Jamaica Gleaner reported Saturday morning that the ship was cleared for entry into Ocho Rios after it was determined that the Italian crew members had not been home for several months. Jamaica has placed a travel ban on China, Italy, South Korea, Singapore and Iran. The country’s Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Christopher Tufton told the Gleaner that this was why the Italian nationals had not been allowed to disembark. “The restrictions would be not to allow persons from those countries that were introduced to land, and whether it is airport or seaport, those restrictions would apply, so the Italians on the ship would not be allowed,” he said. ‘Nothing to fear’ over Italian cruise ship ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky The family of a missing British man is seeking to have him officially declared dead, eight years after he disappeared from Seven Mile Beach. Nathan Clarke, 30, was last seen on the night of 25 Feb. 2012, walking past Calico Jack’s bar. A land and sea search for the Cayman Prep High School teaching assistant was called off 16 days after his disappearance. The only thing that turned up from the searches was Clarke’s cellphone, which was found in the sea off Seven Mile Beach. Eight years on, Clarke’s family are still hopeful that answers to his disappearance can be found and that they can get some form of closure. “Eight years today, Nat disappeared and [we are] no further forward in knowing why or how,” wrote Clarke’s mother, Elizabeth Clarke, who goes by the name Lizzie Clarke in a Facebook group dedicated to the missing man. In her post, she said the family’s intention is to have Nathan officially declared as dead, by way of a Presumption of Death Certificate, which can only be issued by Cayman’s courts. Earlier this year, the family of missing landfill worker Anna Evans applied for Presumption of Death Certificate. Evans disappeared in January 2011 while at work. For such a certificate to be issued, at least seven years must have passed since a person when missing, and the family of the presumed deceased individual must complete several checks. In the case of Evans, attorneys from Walkers Global, who have taken on the case pro bono, have been in touch with the family and the banks to ensure that Evans has not accessed her accounts since going missing. They have also made numerous public appeals for information surrounding the woman’s disappearance. Now Clarke’s family is beginning the process. The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service say they are still investigating Clarke’s disappearance; however, with no new or active leads have been found. “Let today be a celebration of his life, His laughter, His love of live never to be forgotten,” wrote Elizabeth Clarke on 25 Feb. “He has touched so many with his positive spirit, let that continue. Light a candle to let him know you are there for him, [and he is] forever in our hearts.” Anyone with information surrounding Clarke’s disappearance can contact the RCIPS at 949-4222 or on the confidential tip line 949-7777. Family of missing man wants him declared dead Eight years on, Clarke’s family are still hopeful that answers to his disappearance can be found and that they can get some form of closure . Nathan Clarke Italian cruise ship Costa Luminosa anchored off Spotts on Friday. “There is no need for any public fear, alarm or panic.” Joseph Woods , director of the Port Authority Lobster season is now closed and it will be illegal to catch lobster in local waters until 30 Nov., the Department of Environment is reminding the public. Under the National Conservation Law, no one may take lobster from Cayman waters, or purchase, receive or possess lobster taken from Cayman waters between 1 March and the end of November. “The closed seasons for various protected species, including lobster, are set to allow these creatures a chance to repopulate in the wild,” the DoE said in a statement. Anyone convicted of illegally removing protected marine species from local waters faces up to four years’ imprisonment and/or up to $500,000 in fines. The DoE is also reminding residents and visitors that the closed season for Nassau grouper continues during their spawning season through 30 April and that the penalties for illegal take or possession are the same for that species. Lobster season closes 8ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky One of Cayman Airways' 737-Max 8 aircraft arrived safely to a Boeing maintenance facility in the US, after completing a flight last Tuesday. Cayman Airways officials said the Max 8 VP-CIW aircraft departed the Owen Roberts International Airport on 25 Feb. at 9:45am and arrived at the Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville, California, at 1:05pm California time. The flight was piloted by Captain Perry Panton and Captain Stephen Coe. “Much like the recent maintenance flight, the aircraft performed perfectly in all phases of flight, and accomplished the non- stop journey from Grand Cayman to California in six hours and twenty minutes,” said the airline’s president and CEO, Fabian Whorms. On Saturday, 22 Feb., the aircraft completed a one-hour test flight that saw the Max 8 flying to Little Cayman before making a ‘U-turn’ and returning to Grand Cayman. The flights come after the plane sat grounded in Cayman Airways' hanger at the Owen Roberts International Airport for nearly a year. Prior to the flights, Whorms said the Max 8 needed to go California “to have upgrades accomplished in preparation for return to service later this year”. However, it is unclear when Max 8s will be cleared to return to the skies. Cayman Airways took its two Max 8 planes out of operation in March last year following two fatal crashes – Lion Air near Jakarta, Indonesia, and Ethiopian Airlines outside Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – that claimed the lives of 346 people. A global grounding of the Max 8 planes remains in effect. An investigation into the crashes revealed issues with Boeing’s Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) system, which is designed to prevent a plane from stalling when a takeoff angle is too steep. Although the MCAS system issue has been addressed, ongoing investigations into the safety of Max 8s has found other software-related problems with the planes. On 1 Jan., the US Federal Aviation Authority, which is overseeing the investigations into the Boeing safety issues, stated that the latest documents submitted by aircraft manufacturer have not pointed to any new “safety risks that were not already identified as part of the ongoing review of proposed modifications to the aircraft”. Since then, the FAA has provided no additional update, and it is unclear when the Max 8 aircraft will return to the skies. Until then, Cayman Airways' second Max 8 plane will remain grounded at its hangar in Cayman. A third Max 8 plane which Cayman Airways ordered, but which was not delivered before the international grounding of the aircraft, will remain in a Boeing facility in the US. A fourth Max 8 aircraft ordered by CAL has not yet been built and its order has been pushed back until 2021. Max 8 plane arrives at Boeing facility in US A 22-year-old George Town man appeared in court Thursday charged with drug and firearm offences following a traffic stop Tuesday on Academy Way. Daniel Minzett was also arrested in relation to a Shedden Road robbery on 21 Feb. His residence was later searched and a loaded hand gun was recovered. A 36-year-old George Town woman was then arrested on suspicion of possession of an unlicensed firearm. Minzett was charged with possession of cocaine, as well as possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. He was remanded in custody Thursday and is scheduled to next appear in court on Monday, 2 March. The 36-year-old woman was granted bail. RCIPS recover gun, drugs after traffic stop The Cayman Airways Max 8 on runway Tuesday as it prepares to take off for a flight to the US. CAROLINA LOPEZ clopez@compassmedia.ky Officers from the Cayman Islands Fire Service remained at the site of a fire at the George Town landfill on Sunday afternoon. Fire crews, along with Department of Environmental Health staff, were excavating and damping down an area of the site to extinguish a deep-seated pocket of fire, according to a statement from the Government Information Services. The fire was initially reported at 6:50am on Saturday. When they responded, fire crews dug down five feet and damped down the area. According to GIS, no smoke was visible by early Sunday afternoon, but said fire crews were continuing to work throughout the day and would re-evaluate the situation on Sunday evening. The landfill was closed to traffic over the weekend, but the 24-hour drop-off point at the landfill gate was open as normal. Fire crews battle landfill fire “Much like the recent maintenance flight, the aircraft performed perfectly in all phases of flight, and accomplished the non-stop journey from Grand Cayman to California in six hours and twenty minutes.” Fabian Whorms , Cayman Airways CEO. cayman compass 9 news N news MONDAY, 2 MARCH 2020Next >