cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 75 CENTS | Funding local journalism | Tuesday, 10 March 2020 Port battle continues, government files appeal Page 2 Cruise decline feared over US travel warning Page 5 5 tested for suspected coronavirus Page 5 Firefighters battle dump blaze for second day Photo: Taneos Ramsay Pages 3, 8 and 9 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 FILM STARTING AFTER 6PM, UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY THEIR PARENT. WHAT’S PLAYING THIS WEEK TUESDAY, MARCH 10 BAAGHI 3 (PG) 5:20 | 9:00 BAD BOYS FOR LIFE (R) 1:10 | 4:00 | 9:55 THE INVISIBLE MAN (R) 1:40 | 4:20 VIP | 7:00 | 10:00 VIP ONWARD 3D (PG) 1:50 | 2:40 | 9:00 ONWARD (PG) 4:20 | 7:20 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG (PG) 1:35 | 4:05 | 6:30 | 9:40 THE WAY BACK (R) 1:30 VIP | 4:35 | 7:15 VIP | 10:10 UNFORGIVEN (R) 7:00PM VIP CLASSICS 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 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 ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky 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. Government’s appeal was filed on Wednesday, 4 March. It named Shirley Elizabeth Roulstone as the respondent and the National Trust for the Cayman Islands as the interveners. Roulstone, a member of Cruise Port Referendum Cayman, and the National Trust applied for the judicial review hearing, which was heard before Acting Justice Timothy Owen in the Grand Court in January. The purpose of the hearing was to provide guidance on how Section 70 of Constitution Order 2009 was to be interpreted. They highlighted concerns that the law included no restrictions on campaign finance or using public funds to sway the vote among other issues. They argued that the wording of the Constitution indicates there must be an overarching law setting out the rules and regulations for referendums to ensure an equal chance of success for both sides. Section 70 deals with people- initiated referendums. It calls for a law to be enacted “by the Legislature [which] shall make provision[s] to hold a referendum amongst persons registered as electors…”. However, Section 70 does not state whether there should be one law that governs all people-initiated referendums or a new law for each such referendum, or a combination of both. In February, the judge delivered his ruling on the case, in which he agreed and ruled in February that there must be a more general ‘framework law’ that dictates how such people-initiated referendums are handled. He said government’s ‘bespoke’ port referendum law was unconstitutional and ordered that it be quashed “because it fails to satisfy the requirement for a general law governing all s. 70 referendums and is itself not in accordance with such a law”. The government’s notice to appeal, which is a public document available at the court, did not include its grounds of appeal. However, parties involved in the matter have told the Cayman Compass that the government has listed five grounds. Much of their argument focusses on the judge’s decision that a general referendum law was required for people- initiated referendums, rather than a specific or bespoke law for each individual vote. The first ground is that Section 70(1) of the Constitution Order “makes no prescription as to the form of the ‘law’ that must be enacted”. Government argues that there was no lack of clarity in the language of Section 70, and that, ultimately, the form of legislation that must be enacted is a matter that should have been left for the legislature. The second ground of appeal claims that Owen “erred in his approach and misdirected himself in relation to the task of construction”. The ground alleges that Owen was wrong to have proceeded on the basis that the court’s task was to decide what form of legislation would be most consistent with Section 70, while best guaranteeing legality, legal certainty and fairness. The third ground claims inconsistency between Owen’s two conclusions – the first being that a general law is required to regulate the petition process, and the second that a people-initiated referendum cannot be regulated by a specific law, such as the Referendum Law 2019. This ground claims that even if the judge was correct to view that the petition and the verification processes are required to be regulated by a general law, that does not mean that the referendum itself must also be regulated by the same law, or a general law. Government’s fourth ground claims that Owen’s conclusion that “a general law would reduce the risk that the odds may be stacked against those seeking to veto a Government policy” does not support his findings of Section 70. It claims the “reason is illogical and/ or otherwise erroneous” because the legislature’s role is to provide a check on the government. Government’s final ground claims that by quashing the Referendum Law, Owen breached the principle of separation of powers, and that he ought to have limited himself to simply declaring the law incompatible with the Constitution. No date has been set for the appeal hearing. Cayman Compass Journalist James Whittaker contributed to this article. Port battle continues, government files appeal Cruise Port Referendum Cayman supporters celebrate outside court last month as Acting Justice Tim Owen's judgment was delivered in their favour. cayman compass 2 news N news TUESDAY, 10 MARCH 2020RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky 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. Firemen were called in from various stations in George Town and West Bay to tackle the fire. Chief Fire Officer Paul Walker, addressing a media briefing Monday afternoon at the George Town landfill, said fire crews will remain overnight into Tuesday morning to continue to control the fire. He said it has been “challenging” managing the fire with the prevailing winds and the situation remains dynamic. Residents who were evacuated from their homes on Sunday night, Walker said, will not be allowed back into their residences. “We certainly empathise with local residents, but you can see there is still a smoke plume here and it does vary in density, and until such time that smoke plume has ceased, particularly over Lakeside and Watler’s Road, we have made the decision that we recommend that they do not go back into their homes. I would hope we would make more progress overnight and tomorrow. But it is a continuing dynamic situation that we have to assess routinely over a two or three hour basis,” Walker said. Premier Alden McLaughlin, who also spoke at the briefing, said he was at the scene of the fire for five hours on Sunday night and into the early hours of Monday morning, and what he saw looked “like hell”. He said the conditions were “incredibly improved" Monday afternoon as he commended the firemen and DEH crews for their efforts. “The risk that they take to ensure that the rest of us are able to live comfortably is something many of us take for granted,” McLaughlin said. The Cayman Compass was told by officials that firefighters in Frank Sound were deployed to Spotts as backup should they be needed to respond to emergencies between North Side and George Town. George Town South MLA Barbara Conolly, at the opening of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Youth Parliament in the Legislative Assembly Monday, said firefighting efforts have shifted from the Esterley Tibbetts Highway side of the dump to the Camana Bay side, to the part of the mound where the fire is concentrated. “All resources from the West Bay station and the Central Fire Station were diverted to the landfill. The Frank Sound Fire Station provided cover to the rest of the island and [as] such moved two pumps to the cruise landing at Spotts to be closer to George Town and West Bay. The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service is also present at the site and all crews have worked through the night to contain and stop the fire,” Conolly said as she commended all those involved in the effort. Twenty-seven Fire Service officers tackled the fire overnight and into Monday. Home Affairs Minister Tara Rivers commended Cayman’s firefighters who battled the blaze over the two days. She also spoke to the traffic congestion that left commuters trapped in gridlock for hours on Monday. “Companies that have business continuity plans in place which facilitate employees working from home are encouraged to utilise such contingencies in light of the traffic situation into and out of West Bay during this time,” she told the Compass. The Esterley Tibbetts Highway, between the Butterfield roundabout and the Camana Bay roundabout, was closed off to motorists Sunday afternoon, and it remained closed most of Monday, which led to gridlock in all directions during the morning commute and for hours afterwards. The fire also disrupted several schools. Fears of the effects of a possible shift in wind direction led to the closure of Cayman International School, George Town Primary School, John Gray High School, Cayman Islands Further Education Centre, Cornerstone School, Early Intervention Programme at CIFEC, Little Stars Early Childhood Education Centre, Stepping Stones, the Transitional Unit at the George Town Primary School, and Triple C School. Government services were curtailed as well. The Elections Office at Bay Town Office Suites on West Bay Road closed its doors to the public in the wake of the fire. The civil service announced a “relaxed attendance policy” on Monday for parents whose children attend schools which were closed due to the landfill fire. Some private businesses were also forced to close. Kirk Market on North Church Street initially opened Monday, but closed after lunch, citing “poor air quality”. The Wharf Restaurant on West Bay Road was planning to be closed Monday night. Nearby, the wind brought thick smoke from the dump fire to Watler's Road, leading to an evacuation of the area on Sunday night. Smoke was still lingering in the area Monday. To accommodate the people evacuated from Watler's Road, as well as Lakeside Apartments, shelters were opened Sunday night at the Red Cross and the John Gray High School gymnasium. George Town North MLA Joey Hew, who visited residents at Watlers Drive on Sunday night, said that although the district was not under mandatory evacuation, he was suggesting people leave because the smoke was very toxic. “In fact, if you’re sleeping, it can actually overwhelm you, especially elderly people or those with respiratory issues; it’s better safe than sorry,” Hew said. A few people did require medical assistance, with the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority confirming on Monday that, since the major fire erupted on Sunday afternoon, four people had gone to the Cayman Islands Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit for treatment due to smoke inhalation. Two people were treated and released and the other two were continuing to undergo treatment. The smoke stretched across much of George Town and even impacted port operations. Acting Port Director Joseph Woods said the smoke affected anchorages two and three at the port. “We sent ships further south of the port [to anchor,]” he said. Six ships were scheduled to call on Grand Cayman Monday. However, on Monday morning, Caribbean Princess cancelled its call due to health concerns of two passengers, (see page 6), while the Seven Seas Explorer and Berlin cruise ships opted not to stop in Cayman due to the heavy smoke from the landfill fire. Cayman Islands Airports Authority CEO Albert Anderson said it was business as usual for the Owen Roberts International Airport Monday as air traffic control indicated smoke was not affecting flight paths. It was the same for Cayman Airways as CEO and President Fabian Whorms said CAL flights were on schedule Monday. Cayman Compass reporters Andrel Harris, Jewel Levy and Carolina Lopez contributed to this article. Check for ongoing updates on caymancompass.com, and see more coverage on pages 8 and 9. Firefighters battle dump blaze for second day A fire truck hoses down part of the landfill blaze on Monday morning. “I would hope we would make more progress overnight and tomorrow. But it is a continuing dynamic situation that we have to assess routinely over a two or three hour basis.” Paul Walker , chief fire officer 3 news N news123456 78 9 10 11 1213 14 1516 17 1819 2021 123456 78 9 10 11 1213 14 1516 17 1819 2021 ACROSS 1 Mercy granted to enemy (7) 4 Appropriate (5) 7 In addition (4) 8 To hamper (8) 10 Over a large area (3,3,4) 12 Radiance (6) 13 Lacking (6) 15 Extremely conscientious (10) 18 Giving full particulars (8) 19 Annul (4) 20 A selection (5) 21 Artillery unit (7) DOWN 1 Drink eagerly (5) 2 Hard to understand (8) 3 Fame (6) 4 Circuitous (10) 5 East central Asian desert (4) 6 Number of people attending (7) 9 When actually applied (2,8) 11 Repudiate (8) 12 Wash and iron (7) 14 Magnificent (6) 16 Tale (5) 17 Knock senseless (4) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16322 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 16321 ACROSS: 1 Chickenfeed, 9 Orinoco, 10 Arise, 11 Pity, 12 Cut short, 14 Rubble, 16 Impede, 18 Taciturn, 19 Chic, 22 Voice, 23 Classic, 24 Egotistical. DOWN: 2 Heist, 3 Cool, 4 Exodus, 5 Fearsome, 6 Episode, 7 Cooperative, 8 Weathercock, 13 Ill-treat, 15 Backing, 17 Crocus, 20 Hosta, 21 Bali. cartoon Jake Fuller On Commonwealth occasions, it is always inspiring to be reminded of the diversity of the people and countries that make up our worldwide family. We are made aware of the many associations and influences that combine through Commonwealth connection, helping us to imagine and deliver a common future. This is particularly striking when we see people from nations, large and small, gathering for the Commonwealth Games, for meetings of Commonwealth governments, and on Commonwealth Day. Such a blend of traditions serves to make us stronger, individually and collectively, by providing the ingredients needed for social, political and economic resilience. Throughout my life, I have had the opportunity to see and hear how membership of the Commonwealth family means so much to those living in all parts of the world, often in places that are quite remote. Advances in technology and modern media have now enabled many more people to witness and enjoy - with remarkable immediacy - this experience of Commonwealth connection, in areas such as education, medicine and conservation. Looking to the future, this connectivity means we are also aware, perhaps as never before, that wherever we live, our choices and actions affect the well-being of people and communities living far away, and in very different circumstances. For many, this awareness awakens a desire to employ our planet’s natural resources with greater care, and it is encouraging to see how the countries of the Commonwealth continue to devise new ways of working together to achieve prosperity, whilst protecting our planet. As members of this very special community, on this Commonwealth Day, I hope that the people and countries of the Commonwealth will be inspired by all that we share, and move forward with fresh resolve to enhance the Commonwealth’s influence for good in our world. Elizabeth R. The unfolding of the recent past seems to suggest a ‘crisis of confidence’ for the Unity Government: The lost battle royal against the cruise port referendum advocates backed by a majority of the Caymanian public; the fall from grace of the Speaker and leader of the West Bay alliance; the resignation of two original founding members and the lack of solutions to existing challenges such as the landfill (currently on fire) and the national disaster which is traffic congestion, not to mention a convincing plan to deal with the coronavirus (should it hit our shores), suggest an obvious bankruptcy of ideas. What is becoming increasingly obvious is that there has been a sacrificing of principles for political expediency and it is painfully clear that the entity which touted itself as the purveyor of national salvation upon assuming power, is now being asphyxiated by its own arrogance and political bankruptcy. Caymanian political history is paved with entities whose incumbency led to delusions of grandeur during their second term. The famous Yugoslav, Marshal Tito, described such behaviour as “political suicide”. He went on to say that “political suicide was the most frightening death of all”. Are the Progressives and their allies committing political suicide right before our eyes? J.A. Roy Bodden No confidence in Unity Government Letters to the editor McLaughlin: Port project ‘almost certainly lost’ I can only hope this fails. As long-time visitors to your Island, we would go somewhere else if you had huge cruise ships coming. They overrun George Town now. – Diane Lundquist Another opportunity stupidly bungled. – Keith Moses #letsdestroyourbeach project. Huh, really pushing for it, I bet – more cash for the cruises. I hope this project is burning with the dump today as well. – Rafael Hasbun That’s awesome news, if it’s true. – Janet Reed Price Wow, talk about biting the hand that feeds you. A real shame. We love Cayman and the Cayma- nian people, and this will have serious ramifications for decades to come. – Andrew Prescott Port referendum law quashed The will of the people. Govern- ment is there to serve you, not to help themselves. – Paul Allan Max-8 plane arrives at Boeing facility in US Keep it out of the air until Boe- ing fixes all of the problems. – Allen McCracken ‘Nothing to fear’ over Italian cruise ship So we restrict travel to Italy but allow a ship that has just been to Italy? – Priscilla Maragh What they’re saying Queen’s Commonwealth Day Message Protect our natural resources Queen Elizabeth II 4 TUESDAY, 10 MARCH 2020Sponsored by Slower cruise season expected amid coronavirus anxiety JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky US citizens have been warned not to travel on cruise ships in a move that could have a huge knock-on effect on the tourism industry. The US State Department issued the warning Sunday amid heightened anxiety about the spread of the coronavirus. It follows advice from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that there is an increased risk of spreading the virus between people in close quarters aboard ships. “Recent reports of COVID-19 on cruise ships highlight the risk of infection to cruise ship passengers and crew,” the CDC said in a statement. Canada’s chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam issued a similar warning Monday, advising people, especially the elderly, to reconsider going on cruises for the time being. Industry groups were fighting back Monday over concerns of an economic crisis in the travel and tourism industry. “Any action to restrict cruising is unwarranted and at odds with the World Health Organization, which continues to advise against the application of travel or trade restrictions to countries experiencing Covid-19 outbreaks,” the Cruise Lines International Association said in a statement. In Cayman, business owners say coronavirus fears could make this a tough season for those that depend on cruise custom. Chris Kirkconnell, of Kirk Freeport, said the advice from the US State Department was likely bad news for the industry. If there is a significant drop in arrivals, he said, several operators would have to decrease opening hours or cut staff. “We are watching it day-by-day, week- by-week; if we do see a major impact, we will have to make decisions about the operations,” he said. He added that the business was already looking at whether it needed to reduce the amount of products it was bringing in. For smaller operators, he said, the impacts could be more significant. “I can’t imagine businesses that depend on cruise tourists being able to keep full days and full staff if there is a major impact,” he said. Kirkconnell added the situation was still changing rapidly and it was possible that the virus would die down in the coming months. “We don’t know what the next few months look like yet. It is moving very fast,” he said. Robert Hamaty, owner of Tortuga Rum, said the virus and the travel warnings were very concerning and would likely mean a reduction in tourist visitation. “I do believe the cruise industry will respond with clean ships, and passenger and crew fitness requirements,” he said. He added he hoped ports of call would coordinate with the cruise industry over when to deny entry to passengers. Hamaty also noted that Cayman’s high temperature may protect the islands from the spread of the virus. For Shane Ebanks, of Tours Cayman, which runs trips to the Cayman Turtle Centre among others, lost business would be bad news. “Of course, it is a concern for us all, but we are a small island and we have to put safety first,” he said. “We are taking it one day at a time. I hope and pray that they find a vaccine soon but, until then, we have to take all precautions necessary. “I certainly can’t afford to lose the business. There is a lot of people that depend on these ships, so I am hoping it doesn’t get so bad that we have nobody coming in at all.” US travel warning sparks fears of cruise decline “Recent reports of COVID-19 on cruise ships highlight the risk of infection to cruise ship passengers and crew.” US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The cruise industry is expected to suffer amid coronavirus fears. Patients in isolation pending results Five people in the Cayman Islands are be- ing tested for coronavirus, health officials revealed Monday. Four have been isolated at home, while the fifth – a visitor to the island – is in an isolation room at Health City Cayman Islands. The Public Health Department is sending five samples to the Caribbean Public Health Agency to be tested for the virus. Results are expected within six days. The five potential cases involve people “who are feeling unwell and have recently travelled to countries that are experiencing an outbreak”, according to a government press release. The inpatient at Health City was admitted for a “cardiac event”, but has subsequently developed respiratory symptoms. Officials say this is typical for recovering heart patients but the patient is being isolated and tested “out of an abundance of caution”. Cayman’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez said all the impacted people were in isolation and were being monitored by health professionals. He said there was no risk of onward transmission. “The Public Health Department is in daily contact with all persons who have agreed to comply with best procedures for self-isolation while they wait for the results from CARPHA,” the release stated. The tests are being carried out as a precaution, in line with regional guidelines, and the fact that samples are being sent for analysis does not mean that Cayman has its first case. Globally, Williams-Rodriguez said, the number of negative test results is exponentially higher than positive results. In the UK, for example, more than 20,000 people have been tested, but only 163 have been confirmed positive. He said residents and visitors should continue to practise preventive hygiene, including regularly washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes, and maintaining a social distance of three to six feet from others. “These things may seem insignificant, but they have been proven to prevent infection,” Williams-Rodriguez said. “A simple way to remember your personal responsibility in mitigating the impact of COVID-19 is to ‘Catch ‘em. Trash ‘em. Contain ‘em’.” Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee urged members of the public with flu-like symptoms who feel there is a risk that they may have the disease, to email the Health Services Authority at flu@hsa.ky or call the flu hotline at 1-800-534-8600. Two public meetings are being held in Grand Cayman this week to discuss coronavirus – on Tuesday, 10 March, at 7pm, at Mary Miller Hall in Red Bay; and on Thursday, 12 March, at 7pm, at the Bodden Town Civic Centre. Five Cayman cases tested for possible coronavirus 5Two critically ill passengers offloaded from ship RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky The Caribbean Princess cruise ship cancelled its call to Grand Cayman on Monday amid coronavirus concerns, after offloading two critically ill passengers. Acting Port Authority Director Joseph Woods, in a statement, said that the ship anchored in Grand Cayman Monday morning, as scheduled, but opted not disembark passengers. “As they were unsure if someone on board could have possibly been exposed to someone who did [have coronavirus], out of an abundance of caution, and of their own volition, they decided to cancel the call,” he said. Both of the sick passengers were transferred from the ship by ambulance. In a statement issued Monday, health officials in Cayman said one of the two passengers had an “immediate life-threatening” condition and was in urgent need of critical medical attention, so waiting for an air ambulance was not advised. The patient was taken to Health City Cayman Islands for emergency treatment under isolation. “This passenger is suffering from a gastrointestinal haemorrhage (internal bleeding) and severe hypotension (low blood pressure) and does not have any respiratory symptoms. The other person was taken directly to the Owen Roberts International Airport for travel to the USA by air ambulance,” according to the statement. No other passengers from the ship disembarked in Cayman on Monday. The ship has a 3,100-passenger capacity. Woods, commenting on Caribbean Princess’ cancellation, said, “Their decision to cancel the call speaks to the integrity of the cruise lines that call here and the respect and value they place on their relationship with the Cayman Islands. That close relationship and respect between us pays off in circumstances like this when they would rather cancel a call than take a chance, and we really appreciate that. We all pledge to do our very best to keep the Cayman Islands free of the coronavirus COVID-19.” According to US media reports, the ship received a no-sail order from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is heading back to US waters. It is the second Fort Lauderdale- based cruise ship to receive such an order from the CDC, according to the Miami Herald. A Port Authority Cayman Islands statement noted, “These two passengers will be transported directly to the airport for medical evacuation to Florida. Some clinical samples will also be travelling with them. All appropriate measures are being undertaken to ensure the safety of staff involved, and the vehicles being deployed. Ambulance crews routinely manage patients who have infectious conditions and are aware of the required action.” Woods said there is no one on board known to be suffering from the symptoms of coronavirus. He said the Port Authority, Customs and Border Control, Public Health, government ministries, and the cruise lines all work in close collaboration with each other. Health Minister Dwayne Seymour, commenting on the situation, said his ministry was aware of the Caribbean Princess cruise line being in port Monday. He said the ministry reiterated the position “for absolute clarity and in the interest of the public’s health and safety, that no passengers are disembarking from the Caribbean Princess cruise ship into Grand Cayman today”. For more information on COVID-19 and for guidance on how to best protect your household, visit www.hsa. ky/public-health/coronavirus or contact the HSA’s toll-free hotline at 1.800.534.8600. Caribbean Princess cancels Cayman call “As they were unsure if someone on board could have possibly been exposed to someone who did [have coronavirus], out of an abundance of caution, and of their own volition, they decided to cancel the call.” Acting Port Director Joseph Woods The Caribbean Princess stopped briefly in Cayman and offloaded two sick passengers before continuing to US waters. Jack Barwick flew out of Italy’s red zone Sunday JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky A Caymanian chef is in quarantine in his London home after flying out of Milan just as the Italian city and large swathes of the country were being put on lockdown to halt the spread of the coronavirus. Jack Barwick and his girlfriend Gaia Tomasin were allowed to leave Italy on Sunday afternoon. They have been instructed by British health officials to stay in their home and wait for information from the National Health Service. Neither has symptoms of the virulent virus and their isolation is a precautionary measure. They are still awaiting more details but Barwick said his understanding is they are not allowed to leave their home until further notice. He said his sister had dropped groceries for them outside of the window and he expects the isolation to last at least 14 days. Barwick contacted the Cayman Compass from Milan on Sunday as he prepared to fly out of the city amid the chaos of a government edict restricting movement across most of northern Italy.. “It feels like we are running out just as the door is slamming shut,” he said at the time. “It is surreal. It feels a bit like a ‘Day Z’ situation, like a science fiction movie. Everyone is wearing masks or scarves over their face,” he told the Compass from the airport. Italian authorities put the district of Lombardy, which includes Milan, on lockdown Saturday, restricting the movement of some 16 million people. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said the country is facing a national emergency as the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus exceeded 7,300, with 366 deaths. Police were on patrol throughout the region as most movement in and out of Lombardy and 14 other central and northern provinces was officially prohibited. The full impact of the restrictions is not yet clear, with trains and flights still operating on Sunday. The UK’s Guardian newspaper reported that local judicial authorities could decide to suspend flights in the next few days. Despite the chaotic situation, Barwick and Tomasin were able to get out of Italy on a near-empty plane to London on Sunday evening. “The whole of northern Italy is now a red zone,” Barwick said. Barwick, who currently lives in London, said the couple had spent less than a day in the impacted region, travelling through Milan en route to Switzerland. “It wasn’t an issue when we came in, but it is now,” he said. They were informed of the lockdown during an overnight stay in Milan before their return flight. “We were told at 3am Sunday that they are declaring a red zone and restricting movements of the residents. Luckily, our flight was not cancelled,” he added. “We thought we might have been stuck in Italy for a month.” Barwick described the situation at the airport as “surreal”, with officials figuring out how to take information from people without touching them. “You can’t sneak out a cough without five people staring at you,” he said. Italy is the epicentre of the coronavirus in Europe. Weddings and funerals have been suspended throughout the country to prevent the spread of the disease. There is also a ban on all public events, and schools, cinemas, theatres and gyms have been closed. Caymanian chef in quarantine in UK “It feels like we are running out just as the door is slamming shut.” Jack Barwick Jack Barwick and his partner Gaia Tomasin on a plane from Italy to the UK on Sunday. 6Caribbean 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 at Com f cayman compass 7 TUESDAY, 10 MARCH 2020Commuters stuck in cars for over four hours JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky Traffic ground to a standstill Monday morning as the landfill fire caused the closure of a large section of the Esterley Tibbetts Highway. Commuters were stuck in jams for more than three hours between West Bay and George Town. There were reports of tourists missing flights and workers turning back home rather than face more time in traffic. One resident told the Cayman Compass she had opted to walk from Cobalt Coast resort in West Bay to the airport. Another commuter said it had taken almost five hours to get from East End to Seven Mile Beach in the worst of the traffic. The highway was closed from Camana Bay to the Butterfield roundabout at AL Thompson’s from Sunday afternoon. The northbound lanes were temporary reopened between 4-6pm on Monday. For a short time Monday morning, a longer stretch of the road, as far as Cost U Less, was closed as firefighters battled the blaze, which started as deep-seated fires last week and escalated in high winds Sunday. Even with some schools closed and government operating a ‘flexible attendance’ policy, the roads were clogged throughout the morning. The closures had an impact in both directions, with traffic from the eastern districts also slower than usual. Several residents commented on the Compass Facebook page about their journeys. Shelly Mountain said she had given up on the traffic and walked from West Bay. “I still got to the airport before my friend who left at the same time as me and decided to ride out the traffic. Took me 2 hrs 45 mins,” she said. John McDow said it had taken more than three hours to travel from Newlands to Kirk Home Centre. “It was miserable. I wish I had just taken a walk or bike,” he said. Hayley Malloy took three hours from Prospect, with a school drop on the way. “I left my house on Prospect Point Road at 7:20am, dropped my daughter to Triple C school at 8am and arrived at my office in the Cannon Complex at 10:15am. Hopefully they find a solution to the traffic issue because in an emergency the roads are clogged and no one can get anywhere.” Kadam Rushikesh clocked the longest journey of any of our readers, reporting an astounding 4 hours and 45 minutes drive from East End to West Bay Road. For Mehndi Dhaliwal, a journey from the Westin resort to Camana Bay took more than an hour. Arlene Sperandeo had a similar experience travelling from the Kimpton to Foster’s. Naomi Law reported that the commute from South Sound to Camana Bay took more than two hours. Gridlock as historic blaze closes highway Southbound traffic on the Esterley Tibbetts Highway south of the Yacht Club roundabout was at a standstill Monday morning. One resident told the Cayman Compass she had opted to walk from Cobalt Coast resort in West Bay to the airport . Chief Fire Officer Paul Walker addresses the media at a briefing at the landfill on Monday afternoon. An aerial shot of the traffic jam on the Camana Bay roundabout on Monday morning. cayman compass news N news TUESDAY, 10 MARCH 2020 8CHALLENGE GO TO CAYMANCOMPASS.COM NOW AND REGISTER TO PLAY. AFTER SELECTION SUNDAY, MAKE YOUR PICKS BEFORE THE FIRST ROUND TIPS OFF ON 19 MARCH. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT CAYMANCOMPASS.COM IT’S FREE TO PLAY AND YOU CAN WIN GREAT PRIZES! Think you can pick this year’s champ? LOVE COLLEGE BASKETBALL? Work to cap landfill to begin later this month JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky Remediation work planned for this month at the landfill will significantly reduce the risk of fires at the site, according to the Dart group. The work will include capping the site and using a ‘gas collection’ system to withdraw flammable gases from the main mound. A consortium, led by Dart, was selected in late 2017 as the ‘preferred bidder’ on a new Integrated Solid Waste Management System. Its proposal included capping the landfill and building a new waste-to-energy plant to convert trash to electricity. But, more than two years later, the details of the deal are still being worked out. Despite the ongoing contract negotiations, Dart said it had been given the go-ahead last month to start “remediation work” as an interim measure. That work, scheduled to begin later this month, will help prevent future blazes, like the one that engulfed the landfill over the weekend. “Once complete, remediation will significantly reduce the risk of fires at the George Town Landfill: the cap will seal off the surface of the waste mound, covering exposed garbage and preventing oxygen infiltration,” Dart said in a statement, in response to questions from the Compass. “Landfill gas, which is predominantly methane and carbon dioxide, will not sustain fires without oxygen. “The remediation works also include a gas collection system that will draw gas out of the capped site to be safely flared off.” According to Dart, remediation of the landfill includes covering or capping the mound of waste with a layer of fill material similar to marl, then a layer of man-made material, followed by more fill and then a layer of topsoil to support the growth of grasses and shrubs. Premier Alden McLaughlin made similar comments in a press conference Monday afternoon, saying the remediation could still start next week, subject to the fires being brought under control. He said the longer term waste management strategy would likely take several years to implement. “The immediate concern which has been a longstanding concern of landfills catching fire should be resolved in 6-8 months,” he added Longer term, Dart still sees the Integrated Solid Waste Management Strategy as the solution to the ongoing issue. “We are confident in the ability of our team of experts to deliver a solution that fulfills the government’s objectives and brings transformational change to the country’s solid waste management system,” the statement added. Dart: Remediation will reduce fire risk Cayman International School was among several schools closed on Monday because of the landfill blaze. cayman compass 9 news N news TUESDAY, 10 MARCH 2020Next >