cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Friday, 6 March 2020 Government suspends non-essential travel Page 2 Updated EIA required for port project Page 4 Shark series gets kids hooked on nature Page 6 ALSO AVAILABLE WITH TM & © 2020 Burger King Corporation. SEVEN MILE BEACH WATERFRONT WALKERS ROAD TOWN CENTRE PLAZA RED BAY Container home offers 'safe haven' to family Volunteers gather to help build a container home for a West Bay family in eed. - Photo: Stephen Clarke Pages 18 and 19PRINTED 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 85°F 74°F HIGH LOW WINDS Easterly 15 to 20 knots. SEA STATE Rough with wave heights of 6 to 8 feet. A small craft warning is in effect. FIND US ONLINE Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass Enjoy our delicious Breakfast ... • Two Eggs (done to your liking) • Choice of Apple Smoked or Canadian Bacon • Herb Roasted Potatoes • Honey Wheat Toast For ONLY $5.00!!! Finish it off with a Cup of Java for $1.99 Start your day off right! Mon-Fri * 7:30-11:00am *Except Holidays Marquee Plaza SMB - 947-2782 | Country Corner Savannah 623-2782 /cimboco| cimboco@cimboco.com | www.cimboco.com Matinees (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 lm starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. WHAT’S PLAYING THIS WEEK FRIDAY | SATURDAY | SUNDAY BAAGHI 1 (PG) (FRI) 5:20 | 9:00 (SAT) 11:00 | 5:20 | 9:00 (SUN) 3:20 | 5:50 | 9:00 BAD BOYS FOR LIFE (R) (FRI) & (SAT) 1:10 | 4:00 | 7:00 | 9:55 BRAHMS: THE BOY II (PG-13) (SUN) 7:00 | 10:00 VIP CALL OF THE WILD (PG) (SUN) 4:25 | 7:15 VIP | 10:15 THE INVISIBLE MAN (R) (FRI) 1:40 | 4:35 VIP | 7:00 | 9:55 VIP (SAT) 10:45 | 1:40 | 4:35 VIP | 7:00 | 9:55 VIP ONWARD 3D (PG) (FRI) 1:50 | 2:40 | 9:00 (SAT) 12:50 | 2:40 | 9:00 (SUN) 3:00 | 6:50 | 9:30 ONWARD (PG) (FRI) 4:20 | 7:20 (SAT) 10:35 | 4:20 | 7:20 (SUN) 3:30 VIP | 4:00 | 7:15 | 9:55 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG (PG) (FRI) 1:35 | 4:05 | 6:30 | 9:40 (SAT) 11:10 | 1:35 | 4:05 | 6:30 | 9:40 (SUN) 4:05 | 6:30 | 9:40 THE WAY BACK (R) (FRI) 1:30 VIP | 4:35 | 7:15 VIP | 10:10 (SAT) 10:15 VIP | 1:30 VIP | 3:45 | 7:15 VIP | 10:10 SATURDAY NIGHT: THE LION KING (1994) (PG) (SAT) 10:00 KIDS CLUB Cayman’s EU delisting bid hits snag RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky The Cayman Islands government has frozen all non-essential business travel for government officials and staff as a “precautionary step” in response to the global coronavirus outbreak. The suspension of travel means that a Ministry of Financial Services team, which was set to go to Brussels this week to discuss removing Cayman from the EU tax blacklist, will not be making the trip. The EU placed the Cayman Islands on the list last month. Acting Deputy Governor and acting National Hazard Management Council chair Gloria McField-Nixon announced the travel decision in an interview on CIG-TV Wednesday night. She said the suspension was a “proactive measure”, adding, “We know that the coronavirus has significant presence in places abroad. We have reduced and eliminated non-essential travel of the civil service, both for our core civil service and our wider public service. As for our business requirements, we are stepping down the need for people to travel for work unless it is absolutely essential.” McField-Nixon is also asking government employees to rethink any travel plans to countries that have been placed under travel restrictions as COVID-19 spreads globally. “The reasons for that are twofold. One is obviously because we want to reduce the likelihood of your being exposed to someone who is sick and yourself becoming sick. And the second is a more practical consideration; there has been a lot of reduction in travel and air lift. So, you could end up going some place that you have difficulty getting back home from,” she said. The suspension of official travel follows Cayman’s activation Tuesday of its National Emergency Operations Centre in response to the coronavirus threat. Deputy Governor Franz Manderson convened a meeting of the National Hazard Management Council and announced the partial activation of the emergency response centre. As of Thursday, global health authorities had confirmed more than 93,000 cases of the virus, at least 80,000 of which are in China, where the virus originated. More than 3,000 people have died from the virus, which has been reported in 76 countries. Cayman has no confirmed cases of COVID-19. The Cayman Islands has implemented travel restrictions for travellers to manage the virus. Visitors who have been in China in the preceding 14 days before arriving in Cayman will be denied entry – a restriction in line with many of Cayman’s regional neighbours. Returning residents who have travelled to mainland China will be quarantined under the direction of the Medical Officer of Health. At this time, this is likely to be in the traveller’s home. McField-Nixon explained that the COVID-19 outbreak is a “dynamic situation”, but the government is looking at all the “phases the island will go through and what steps need to be put in place to maintain a safe staff and a healthy work environment”. She said measures are being implemented to ensure the continuity of business should employees in key services fall ill or are required to work from home. “We are also adopting a flexible sick leave policy that again will reduce the likelihood that if someone were to become ill, that that would spread across our organisation,” she said. McField-Nixon added that government employees who have to be isolated or must stay at home because they feel unwell will be paid. “If you are coming back with the relevant travel history and you feel ill, then we absolutely encourage you to do [what’s been} recommended … to stay at home until the symptoms pass or you receive further information depending upon how ill you are feeling. So that is absolutely the right thing to do and that is what we’re encouraging our staff to do,” she said. Hazard Management Cayman Islands Director Danielle Coleman, speaking on the government’s TV channel on Wednesday, said the activation of the NEOC was critical so Cayman could have a “coordinated hub”. Coleman said there are 17 emergency support teams functioning under the NEOC and they bring the expertise of 50 to 60 people to the table to ensure there is a multi-agency approach to dealing with the virus response. Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee, during the same broadcast, assured there are no cases of the virus in Cayman and he said his team had been working very hard to keep it that way. He said the World Health Organization has not declared the virus a pandemic, but it has reached epidemic status in some countries. Lee said the rate of the spread of COVID-19 was “alarming”, and noted, “It’s like it’s marching towards you and there is a certain inevitability about it.” He added, “I do not think there is going to be much time before the World Health Organization declares this a pandemic,” stressing that proper hygiene practices are key to guard against infections. Government suspends all non-essential business travel 231234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 Get aboard in time (5) 4 Local form of language (7) 8 Decay (3) 9 Whatever happens (2,3,4) 10 To function (7) 11 Low-key (5) 13 Turbulent (6) 15 Joyous (6) 18 Absolute (5) 19 Investigate thoroughly (7) 21 Hopeless enterprise (4,5) 23 A popular beverage (3) 24 Disapprove of strongly (7) 25 Crash-land in sea (5) DOWN 1 Eager to know (7) 2 Prominent (2,3,4) 3 Chief port of Israel (5) 4 To numb (6) 5 Profound (7) 6 Historical period (3) 7 A woollen cloth (5) 12 Retaliation (3,3,3) 14 North African country (7) 16 Bunkum (7) 17 Sumptuous (2,4) 18 Unanimous (5) 20 Offer as excuse (5) 22 Deplete (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16319 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. YeSteRDAY'S SOLUtIONS Puzzle 16318 ACROSS: 1 Bull-headed, 8 Realm, 9 Revival, 10 Moisten, 11 Lilac, 12 Homage, 14 Leaves, 17 Comma, 19 Reverse, 21 Lincoln, 22 Group, 23 Horse sense. DOWN: 2 Uranium, 3 Limit, 4 Errant, 5 Divulge, 6 Devil, 7 Black sheep, 8 Ramshackle, 13 Glamour, 15 Various, 16 Fringe, 18 Munch, 20 Vague. RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky The Environmental Assessment Board has concluded that a new environmental impact assessment will be required for government’s proposed $200 million cruise berthing and cargo enhancement project. The board gave the recommendation at the end of its review of the updated scoping opinion on the project submitted by Verdant Isle Port Partners in January. “The EAB has reviewed VIPP’s submission and concluded that an EIA Update is required to reassess the likely effects of the new design as the effects predicted in the original cruise berthing facility EIA may no longer apply to the new project design,” Environmental Assessment Board chair Gina Petrie-Ebanks said in the 18-page EIA assessment scoping opinion dated 25 Feb. She concluded that the new EIA should contain updates to areas including geology and soils, air quality, marine ecology, vehicular and pedestrian traffic, cargo and cruise operations, and socio- economic impact assessments. She said the additional studies proposed by Verdant Isle, such as navigation simulations, a dive survey and coral mapping, are generally acceptable and form the basis for the updates to the environment statement chapters. “The proponent should now submit details of the consultancy team which will carry out the EIA so that the EAB can confirm that they possess the range of technical competencies required to undertake the EIA based on the above Scoping Opinion,” she said. Verdant Isle is government’s preferred bidder for the design- build-finance-maintain contract for the project. The consortium submitted the EIA scoping update for the proposed cruise berthing and cargo enhancement project on the eve of the judicial review case filed by Cruise Port Referendum Cayman’s Shirley Roulstone and the National Trust. Judge Tim Owen ruled in Roulstone’s favour, declaring last week that the Port Referendum Law, which was passed in the Legislative Assembly to pave the way for a vote on the future of the project, was unlawful, and ordering the law to be quashed. Government has indicated it will appeal the ruling. Petrie-Ebanks, in a comment to the Cayman Compass Thursday, said the court ruling has not impacted the Environmental Assessment Board’s work on the scoping opinion for the cruise berthing EIA update. She said the next step in the EIA process involves Verdant Isle supplying information to the board on the specific expertise and qualifications of the consulting team which they will deploy to address the information needs identified in the scoping opinion. “Once the EAB is satisfied that the consulting team has the required technical competencies to carry out the EIA update, we will begin working with them to develop draft Terms of Reference for the update. The draft ToR will be subject to a 21 day public consultation period which includes a requirement for a public meeting to be held,” she said. Ebanks-Petrie, in her report, said an EIA for the project was last prepared in 2015 for what was then referred to as the cruise berthing facility “However, there has been an evolution of the design of the scheme assessed. There are fundamental changes to the [cruise berthing and cargo enhancement project] design which would result in the requirement to reassess the likely effects of the new design as the effects predicted in the original CBF EIA may no longer apply ...” she stated in her assessment. EAB: Updated EIA required for port project cartoon Back to the Brac - By Caymanman EAB chair findings The fundamental changes which may have new likely significant effects on the environment include: • An increase in the expected passenger numbers from a maximum of 2.3 million passengers in 2015 to 2.5 million passengers in 2022 with anticipated growth of 1% to 1.5% beyond 2022. • A change in the area of the dredge pocket, moving it further from Eden Rock but closer to Cheeseburger/Soto’s Reef. • An extension in the time required for dredging as well as confirmation of the dredging methodology. • Approximately half the number of predicted operational jobs. • Reduced number of predicted construction jobs. • Restricted access to the Wreck of the Cali, which is proposed to be accessible only by permission of the Port Authority of the Cayman Island. • Changes to the mitigation measures proposed resulting in residual effects which are greater than in the 2015 EIA. The Environment Assessment Board says a new environmental impact assessment is required for government's proposed cruise berthing and cargo enhancement project. 4Caribbean 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 FRIDAY, 6 MARCH 2020JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky More than 1,500 schoolchildren have signed up to attend ‘shark talks’ as part of the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation’s Ocean Conservation Month. The series of events, which also includes a sustainable-fishing clinic for families, a management discussion over Stingray City and a fundraising cocktail party, takes place throughout March. As usual, sharks are a key feature of the series. The iconic apex predators are a great way to get children hooked on conservation from an early age, Guy Harvey explained. “I think this is one of our proudest educational initiatives. It is the highlight of the month for me,” he added. Kids on all three islands will get the chance to watch a shark documentary and ask questions of experts from Harvey’s foundation. “We always start by asking how many of you are afraid of sharks?” said Jessica Harvey, project manager for the foundation. Quite a few raise their hands. “We show them the documentary and then, at the end, when we ask how many would like to go on a shark expedition, we see even more hands go up.” Changing public perception of sharks is one of the key goals of the foundation. The message is not just aimed at kids. A public shark talk on the beach at the Westin Grand Cayman resort is part of this year’s series. Guy Harvey said Cayman has shown progress in increasing understanding of the value of sharks and protecting them from fishing and other threats. Research from the foundation, including satellite tagging of many species, particularly oceanic white tips, has illustrated the enormous range of these ocean predators. “They travel vast distances and cross into the waters of so many different countries. For conservation to be truly effective, we have to work with so many other jurisdictions,” he added. The theme will be emphasised at the cocktail gala on 20 March. Food stations will be set up around the Governor’s Ballroom at the Westin, representing the different countries the oceanic white tip shark travels through. Another key feature of the month is the gathering of Stingray City operators, Department of Environment officials and other interested parties for an informal management update on the attraction. Jessica Harvey said the aim is to help educate operators about proper handling of rays and to encourage a culture of self enforcement at the site. This is the third year the discussion has been organised, and she believes standards are improving. The foundation regularly takes a population census and performs health checks on the rays at the North Sound attraction. Jessica Harvey will also be giving a TED- style talk at KPMG as part of Ocean Conservation Month on the importance of protecting it. “The main point of [the month] is to create greater public awareness about ocean-conservation issues,” she said. Cayman Career Academy - the first CIDESCO accredited school in the Caribbean is now interviewing interested candidates in Certificate of Aesthetics, Certificate of Body Therapy and Diploma in Beauty therapy. Professionals in either of these fields for 3+ years may also apply for a post-graduate course. Evening and part time classes available. Call 945-6969 or 936-6969 or email prinicipal@caymancareeracademy.ky to schedule an appointment. Classes start in April, 2020. Cayman Career Academy Earns CIDESCO Authorized School Designation Imagine an employer that lets you soar. In order to deliver the high-quality services for which we are known, Harneys requires exceptional people. Harneys is now accepting applications for the following: articled clerk training programme student scholarship summer internship programme Closing date: 31 March 2020 Join Harneys, a global offshore law firm with entrepreneurial thinking. Find out more at harneys.com/careers Shark series helps get kids hooked on nature Ocean Conservation Month Key Events 7 MarchFishing Family Fun Day at George Town Yacht Club 13, 20, 27 MarchShark Talk Grand Cayman (for schoolchildren) at Camana Bay movie theatre 14 MarchPizza, beer and stingrays: Information session at Cayman Islands Brewery 20 MarchAn Ocean Affair: Cocktail party fundraiser at the Westin 22 March Community clean-up at Gun Bay, East End 24 MarchShark Talk, Southern Cross Club, Little Cayman 28 March Shark Talk on the Beach: Public event at the Westin For more information, go to guyharvey.com or email events@guyharvey.com. There will be raffle tickets sold at every event for a chance to win a GoPro 8. Sharks, such as oceanic white tips, pictured, travel enormous distances, tagging exercises by the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation have determined. cayman compass 6 news N news FRIDAY, 6 MARCH 2020This special feature will help people sort through these questions to keep their financial health in check. Industry professionals will offer tips and advice on managing income and expenses, smart strategies on saving and investing, and top tools for retirement planning. Personal Finances & Investment • What options are there in this low interest rate environment? • What are the pros and cons of exchange traded funds? • How do you invest responsibly, and does it yield returns? • How much money do we realistically need to save to be comfortable in retirement? Sales deadline Monday, 9 March, 2020 e: sales@compassmedia.ky | t: (345) 949 5111 Coming out in the Cayman Compass and CaymanCompass.com 23 March. 7Tel: 640.6272 / 922.9711Email: carclinic.ky@gmail.com Oil & Filter Service + 26 POINT INSPECTION OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE Mon-Friday 7:30am - 5pm Saturday 9am -12pm. Auto Care Center diagnose the problem and fix it right the first time. We have certified licensed technicians. We diagnose and test your vehicle so we will NOT charge you for a FULL SERVICE if it’s not needed - NO HIDDEN FEES. FREE QUOTE. FREE DROP OFF SERVICE. 100% Customer Satisfaction Oil & Filter Service + 26 Point Inspection........................... $49.95 2 or 4 wheel Alignment starting at .................................... $80.00 Computer Scan Test.................................................................. $59.95 Full A/C Service........................................................................... $85.00 Drop Off Service to your Home or Office in the George Town area......................................................... $FREE AUTO CARE CENTER CallServiceDrop Off WITH THIS AD $ 49.95 529 Shedden Rd. Kirk Motors Building RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Even though surgical face masks are being snapped up locally, Cayman’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee said they only offer limited protection against viruses. “A surgical mask, which is the thing that many people are trying to get hold of, will only protect you for about 15 minutes until the mask becomes soaked. At that point, it’s letting everything through that you think you’re being protected [from]. So, it’s absolutely a false sense of security,” Lee said during an interview about Cayman’s response to COVID-19 on CIG-TV Wednesday night. Lee said his advice would be rather than wearing a mask, people should keep a safe distance from others in social settings. “That is your protection, better than the mask. Masks may have a value in some certain instances, like, if somebody has a cold, an active cold, or may sneeze unexpectedly, may cough unexpectedly, and they need to present themselves to the doctor, or maybe they are walking through the airport,” Lee said. “They may be asked to put a mask on in order to cut down any potential droplets spread at that point. But for most other circumstances, it’s not recommended.” This week, local pharmacies and stores reported that they either had limited or no supplies of surgical masks, hand sanitisers and disinfectant products. Lee, addressing the spate of panic buying, said the most important preventative step is keeping hands clean. He said soap and water, which is in plentiful supply, “will do absolutely fine”. “If you come to a sink where there’s just dish detergent, that’ll do fine, as well. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, and if you don’t have access, then use the hand sanitiser,” Lee said. The Health Services Authority and Public Health Department have been putting out information on COVID-19 through social media and will be delivering pamphlets to neighbourhoods, especially focussing on the elderly who do not have access to the internet. Lee: Masks offer ‘false sense of security’ Surgical masks are in high demand in Cayman, and worldwide. Travel anxiety a side effect of coronavirus JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky Several Cayman Islands hotels are seeing cancellations amid fears that anxiety over the coronavirus is having a chilling effect on global travel. Though there have been no cases of the flu-like virus in the territory, concern over COVID-19 has contributed to a general fear of travel. “We have had a lot of inquiries about it and a handful of cancellations,” said Jim Mauer, managing director of the Westin Grand Cayman resort on Seven Mile Beach. Mauer believes most people understand that Cayman is a safe destination. “It is the path to get to the island, spending time in airports or on planes, is what people are worried about,” he said. Travel restrictions have had a direct impact in some cases, with several Asian travellers, scheduled to arrive for a conference in March, cancelling their booking. The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman has seen similar impact, including cancellations from corporate groups following company directives to suspend official travel. Marc Langevin, general manager of the hotel, said, “We are also expecting some erosion from international groups whose attendees could be travelling from regions that are currently banned from entry into the Cayman Islands.” Mauer added that staff at the Westin are taking calls about the issue every day, but it has not been a major problem as yet. “If something happens closer to the island or in one of our big hubs like Miami or Atlanta, that is a genuine concern,” he said. There is a flip side, however. Langevin said that The Ritz-Carlton has experienced increased interest from guests considering changing family summer vacation plans from Asia or Europe. “At the moment, we have no reason for concern. We are closely monitoring the situation’s evolution, with our best hopes that it won’t impact our destination negatively,” he added. Langevin said he does not see the impact of the virus stalling the enormous tourism growth Cayman has seen in the last several years. He said positive messaging about the safety and security of the island was essential. Local management at the Kimpton Seafire Resort referred all questions to their head office, which issued a statement saying, “We can’t provide a running commentary on potential impacts to our business.” The statement added, “The health and wellbeing of our guests and employees are our top priority. We’re closely monitoring the situation and adjusting policies as needed.” Globally, the impact on travel is still being assessed, with some analysts predicting panic over the virus could cause the worst crisis the tourism industry has seen since 9/11 in 2001. CNN reported this week that United Airlines had seen an almost total drop in demand to China and about a 75% decline in near-term demand on the rest of its trans- Pacific routes. The news organisation also reported a sharp drop in business travel, with several major conferences even cancelled in locations yet to experience an outbreak. The cancellations are because people travelling from around the world could bring the virus to the event, CNN reported, Cancelled conferences include the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the leading show for the mobile phone industry; the Geneva Motor Show; Facebook’s F8 conference; and ITB Berlin, the leading trade show for the travel industry itself. Virus fears starting to impact tourism 8DAVENPORT DEVELOPMENT LTD SALES OFFICE (345) 949 4979 INFO@DAVENPORT.KY DAVENPORT.KY It is a privilege to celebrate all the magical things that makes a woman so incredibly special. 9Next >