SEVEN MILE BEACH, WATERFRONT, WALKERS ROAD, RED BAY cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 1 $ | Funding local journalism | Friday, 20 March 2020 LIVING Take a breather and go diving Pages 24 and 25 BUSINESS Refunds uncertain for cancelled Cayman holidays Page 20 Coronavirus crisis: Weekly news round-up Page 4 UK pledges support to Cayman and OTs Page 6 Isolation plans intensify as 2 new cases confirmed School buses line up at the Owen Roberts International Airport Thursday to transport Cayman students returning from abroad to a hotel where they will be self-isolated. - Photo: Stephen Clarke Page 2 Cayman food banks need donations Page 8Temporarily closed until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. 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 late night showers. weather Forecast today Cayman Islands 86°F 74°F HIGH LOW WINDS East to northeast at 10 to 15 knots with higher gusts. SEA STATE Moderate to rough with wave heights of 4 to 6 feet. FIND US ONLINE Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass Health officials confirmed two new cases of coronavirus in the Cayman Islands at a press briefing Thursday. The two positive tests involved staff members from Health City Cayman Islands who were exposed to Cayman’s first and, until these latest results, only confirmed coronavirus patient – a 68-year- old heart patient who died from complications associated with the virus last week. The victim, an Italian cruise ship passenger, was initially taken to Health City from the ship after suffering a heart attack and later tested positive for COVID-19. A total of 30 people from the hospital were tested. All others came back negative. None of the family members of those 30 staff members are showing symptoms at this time and are all doing well, Health City said in a statement released Thursday afternoon. The hospital added that the two staff members who tested positive are experiencing very mild symptoms. A further 29 people were tested through the Health Services Authority and also came back negative. All tests will be confirmed by the Caribbean Public Health Agency. There are currently seven tests outstanding. Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee said the patients had not been severely affected in terms of symptoms. He said all those who were being tested had been in isolation and he was reassured that there was no current evidence of community transmission. He said the case involved two people directly exposed to a traveller and did not qualify as local transmission, which involves cases that arise within the community where there was no evidence of travel or direct contact with a COVID-19 patient. Lee added that Cayman was well prepared, and the vast majority of people on the island who get the virus would suffer only mild flu-like symptoms. Even if Cayman experiences community transmission, he said, a section of the population may not get the virus. Premier Alden McLaughlin warned that Cayman welcomed 2.5 million visitors last year and that Caymanians who had travelled risked spreading the virus. “It is almost inevitable that there will be further people in this community who will test positive for COVID-19,” he said. “That is why the protocols that we have given about how to change your behaviour in light of this global health threat are so important. “If we are to contain this, we have got to start taking the protocols very, very seriously.” He added that Cayman could still avoid the kind of “meltdown” seen in other countries but warned that would only be possible with changed behaviours. He emphasised again the need for returning passengers to self-isolate for 14 days, and for anyone in contact with them to isolate as well. Government has organised a scheme to allow returning students to be housed in isolation in a hotel. School buses were at the Owen Roberts International Airport Thursday to assist with that process. So far, 100 rooms and 200 beds have been reserved for that purpose, with the hotel designated as an ‘isolation facility’. A total of 66 students had indicated they would take up the option as of Thursday afternoon, and 12 had been transferred by bus from the airside of the airport to the hotel, which has not been named, by early Thursday afternoon. Students will get meals, WiFi and accommodation at no cost during the 14-day isolation. A further five essential employees have so far opted to stay in a separate hotel reserved for workers who want to allow their children or returning family members to isolate at home while allowing them to continue to work. Governor Martyn Roper said there was no reason for “enormous public concern” as a result of the two new confirmed cases. He said the situation at Health City had been contained quickly and it was encouraging that only two people were impacted. Health City released a statement later Thursday afternoon confirming the positive test results for two of its staff. “While we’d obviously hoped that we would have no positive cases, these results are in keeping with the fact that those who tested positive had more direct contact with the first patient who tested positive and was being cared for at our facility,” Dr. Binoy Chattuparambil, clinical director of Health City Cayman Islands, said. He added, “While these are not the results we hoped for, we must take heart in that only two out of 30 of the samples from the staff members and their relatives tested returned a positive result. “This shows that our infection control and containment procedures are as effective as possible, given the circumstances. Moving forward, we must all remain calm and vigilant in our precautionary measures.” Reporting by James Whittaker, Reshma Ragoonath and Kevin Morales Two new coronavirus cases confirmed A total of 30 people from the hospital were tested. All others came back negative. cayman compass 2 news N news FRIDAY, 20 MARCH 2020Disclaimer : FIN Grand Cayman features and amenities are based on current development plans and concepts and are subject to change without notice. Some services and amenities are subject to service-based fees or homeowner fees. fin@fingrandcayman.com + 1 345 326 1400 Reserve your private tour and discover the last word in luxury SECRET, CROWDLESS BEACH Beach cabanas, attendant and a private salt-water lagoon. DISCREET, RELIABLE, READY A full service team to care for your every need and safety. PRIVATE RESIDENCE ENTRY Private elevator access, private foyer, no corridors. WALLED, GATED AND LUSH A hidden oasis surrounded by tall privacy hedges. 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ARTDECO OCEANFRONT RESIDENCES PRIVATE, SECURE AND DISCREET Two to four bedroom residences available at pre-completion pricing from USD 1.9M cayman compass 3 FRIDAY, 20 MARCH 20201234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 Conjecture (5) 4 Permanent (7) 8 Performed (3) 9 Keen-sighted (5-4) 10 Unpredictable (7) 11 Belittle (5) 13 Poorly made (6) 15 Burning enthusiasm (6) 18 General purport (5) 19 Craftsman (7) 21 Stupid person (9) 23 Self-esteem (3) 24 Something left over (7) 25 Furry semiaquatic animal (5) DOWN 1 Impious (7) 2 Warm bed covering (9) 3 Fragrant (5) 4 Bequest (6) 5 Inadequate in amount (7) 6 Climbing evergreen shrub (3) 7 Dizzy (5) 12 Wrinkles by the eyes (5-4) 14 Hard-wearing (7) 16 Malignant hate (7) 17 Unoccupied (6) 18 Banned as improper (5) 20 South American dance (5) 22 Communist (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16331 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 16330 ACROSS: 1 Run-through, 8 Cache, 9 Cabbage, 10 Monster, 11 Ahead, 12 Asylum, 14 Versus, 17 Right, 19 Pioneer, 21 Shingle, 22 Daisy, 23 Get-up-and-go. DOWN: 2 Uncanny, 3 Theft, 4 Record, 5 Umbrage, 6 Heave, 7 Lead astray, 8 Come across, 13 Uptight, 15 Seeming, 16 Upkeep, 18 Going, 20 Olden. It has been a frantic week in the Cayman Islands, with new an- nouncements every day as the global coronavirus pandemic begins to take its toll. Here we summarise some of the key developments and need-to-know information from one of the most eventful weeks in the history of the territory. Three confirmed cases The Italian cruise ship visitor who died at Health City on Saturday and two medical staff who treated him were the only confirmed corona- virus cases in the Cayman Islands at press time Thursday. Around 60 people have been tested, with at least seven results still outstanding. Borders to close Sunday Cayman’s borders will close at 11:59pm on Sunday, 22 March. That means no passenger air traffic can enter or exit the island for 21 days. Cruise ships were already blocked from entering the island from Monday, 16 March, and that ban has now been extended to include private vessels. Crucially, freight is not impacted. Cargo ships and cargo planes will continue to sup- ply the islands, and the UK is work- ing out a plan to ensure supplies can come in by air if necessary. Schools close until end of April Cayman’s schools shut their doors on Monday and will remain closed until the end of April, at least. In the interim, educators are trying to use technology to allow learning to continue. Social gatherings of more than 50 banned This was one of the first measures government introduced in an ef- fort to prevent the spread of coro- navirus. It impacts bars and hotels, as well as churches. Bars, restaurants closing The public gatherings ban was hardened this week to include a total closure of bars, restaurants, gyms and barber shops by the end of Sunday, 22 March. However, restaurants can continue to offer takeout. Hotels closing With no tourists coming in, Cay- man’s hotels are closing. Many employers, including the Westin and Dart Enterprises, which owns The Ritz-Carlton, the Kimpton, and Comfort Suites, are continu- ing to pay employees during the downturn. Self-isolation for returning residents Anyone returning to Cayman before Sunday will be required to self-isolate for 14 days to prevent them from potentially bringing the virus into the islands. If they stay at home, their fam- ilies will have to isolate too. Hotels are being used as temporary accommoda- tion for returning students who want to isolate without impacting their families. This is particularly important where there are essential workers – doctors, nurses, police officers or other frontline staff – in the house. Banks stepping up Multiple banks confirmed this week that they would be intro- ducing a three-month mortgage holiday for their customers. That means homeowners won’t have to worry about making their monthly payments during the coronavirus crisis. Government offering financial help Government is paying a stipend of around $600 to licensed taxi driv- ers, bus operators and watersports operators. One-off stipends are also being paid to seamen and vet- erans, as well as families on food vouchers, to help them through. Police on high-visibility patrols Police are fully staffed and on high alert, with patrols at supermarkets and around the island to ensure public safety. A contingency plan is in place to bring in volunteer special constables and possibly re- cruits from the wider community if officer numbers are compromised by the virus. Health City remains closed Health City is on temporary shut- down after the death of a patient at the facility last week. Staff are being isolated and tested for the virus. So far, two of the tests have come back positive, but all others are negative. The hospital is being deep cleaned and it is hoped that it can reopen soon. Crisis has escalated globally The global death toll was ap- proaching 8,000 on Thursday, and countries all over the world were taking extreme measures to combat the spread. The total number of cases is approach- ing 200,000 worldwide. The US death toll is more than 100. Many countries, including the US and Canada, have partially closed borders, while Germany, Spain and others have fully closed their borders. Italy is on almost total lockdown, with citizens only allowed to leave their homes to go to the grocery store or the market. Coronavirus crisis: Weekly news round-up VICKI WHEATON vwheaton@compassmedia.ky Drivers making their way along West Bay Road on Thursday may have wondered at the sight of a tent and people in hazmat suits on the plot of land between Coconut Joe’s and the entrance to Jasmine. A1 Cleaning Services have been hired by the Department of Education to sanitise the buses transporting students returning from overseas, once they have been dropped off at a hotel for self-isolation. Owner of A1, Ian Charlery, said that he and his crew had been in place from 10:30am. “We have six people in our sanitising crew,” he said. “And it takes us 20 minutes to disinfect and clean each bus. We use non-toxic, Environmental Protection Agency-registered disinfectants.” He was expecting four buses to go through their cleaning process that day. Cleaning company set up to sanitise school buses Staff from A1 Cleaning Services await the arrival of school buses that were being used to transport students returning from overseas to a hotel on Grand Cayman. The team sanitised the buses after the students disembarked. Government and health officials held several press conferences throughout the week to keep the media and public up to date on coronavirus-related developments on island. 4 newsnewsDear Customers, Clients, and Shareholders, As we are all aware, we face some unprecedented challenges at this time as a result of COVID-19. We fully recognize the need to protect our staff, customers and clients and as events unfold, we will be in continuing communication with you on what we are doing to support you and provide all the required services in a way that protects the health and safely of all. Customers requiring banking services are encouraged to use our on-line banking facilities and our extensive ATM network. At this time we are very conscious that many of our customers will require economic and financial support. We have a reputation for providing sympathetic help and support and I can assure you that Cayman National stands ready, willing and able to assist our clients in good standing by waiving up to 3 months’ loan payments. Please contact your Loan Officer if you wish to avail yourself of this assistance. Cayman National Securities and Cayman National Fund Services remain ready and available to continue to serve you. Please note that face-to-face meetings are discouraged, so we encourage utilization of our telephone and email contact information. I would like to thank all of our stakeholders personally for their relationship with us. I know that we shall work through this time together. Stuart Dack President and Chief Executive Officer About Cayman National Established in 1974, Cayman National Corporation Ltd. is the largest financial services company based in the Cayman Islands, providing banking, trust and company management, fund administration, and wealth management services to clients locally and around the world, from the Cayman Islands and the Isle of Man, with a representative offices in Dubai. Cayman National is publicly traded on the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange. Cayman National is part of the Republic Group. Established in the Caribbean in 1837 as the Colonial Bank and becoming Barclays Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, the Republic Group is today one of the region’s largest and most successful financial institutions. Cayman National comprises: Cayman National Bank Ltd., Cayman National Fund Services Ltd., Cayman National Securities Ltd., Cayman National Trust Co. Ltd., Cayman National Bank (Isle of Man) Limited and Cayman National Trust Company (Isle of Man) Limited, and Cayman National (Dubai) Ltd. Media Contact: michelle.johnson@caymannational.com Cayman National Corporation Ltd Peter A Tomkins Building 200 Elgin Avenue, PO Box 1097 Grand Cayman KY1-1102 Cayman Islands +1 345 949 4655 Message from Cayman National President and Chief Executive Officer cayman compass 5 FRIDAY, 20 MARCH 2020Notice Changes in Prime Rates on KYD and USD Effective 16 March 2020, Fidelity Bank (Cayman) Limited decreased the USD and KYD prime rates by 1.00% to 3.25%. The decrease in the Prime rates followed a decision by the US Federal Reserve Bank to decrease its Fed Funds Reserve rate by 1.00% on 15 March 2020. Charity Acts of Random Kindness is mobilising to help support families in need during the coronavirus crisis. The charity handed out some $3,000 in food vouchers to around 20 families this week. It is looking for community support to be able to help more people as the economic impact of Cayman closing its borders takes its toll. Tara Nielsen, of ARK, said anything would help – from a $10 gift voucher to a major donation. She is also investigating the possibility of a sponsored family scheme, where families who are doing okay can cook meals and deliver them to those who are struggling. The details and hygiene protocols are still being worked out. Nielsen encouraged the community to do anything they could to help prevent families from going without essentials during the ongoing crisis. She said ARK aimed to fill the gap for those who were not getting money from the Needs Assessment Unit or who were waiting for payments to be approved. She also hopes to work with other charities, like Meals on Wheels, to help them keep operating and ramp up to assist more people. Vouchers can be dropped off at Jasmine hospice or donations can be made through Cayman ARK Butterfield Bank account. The account numbers are 01201039292 (USD) or 02201039292 (KYD). Charity seeks support to help needy territories and were able to exchange views and perspectives and to learn what the UK government was continuing to do to support its territories. “I was very reassured, I think we all were, by Baroness Sugg, to learn that they are sourcing additional essential equipment and supplies for us, particularly tests,” he said. McLaughlin also stated that leaders were informed that the UK had gone into ‘heightened’ mode to try to produce equipment like ventilators to assist the territories, adding, “She gave us all the assurance that whatever it is that the United Kingdom government can do to continue to assist us in the territories, they will do.” McLaughlin said the OT leaders settled on Cayman being the centre of the “air bridge” that the UK and overseas territories are creating. Through the air bridge, he said, “we would be able, if necessary, to utilise Cayman Airways, either the jets or the Saab, to distribute personnel, equipment, medicines, whatever is necessary to the other territories”. “I think another fine example and testament to all the infrastructure that we have developed here and the abilities that we have to be of service still to our brothers and sisters and the other overseas territories and, I dare say, even further afield within the region,” McLaughlin said. Sugg, in her statement, expressed gratitude to the premier and public servants in the Cayman Islands for “their hard work to help stop the spread of the virus. I encourage everyone to follow the advice that has been issued – we all have a role to play in keeping people safe.” Governor Martyn Roper, in the statement, said Public Health England continues its work with the chief medical officer and the Ministry of Health on island. He stressed the importance of paying attention to all the COVID-19 information that is being provided to keep those in the Cayman Islands safe. “I encourage everyone to continue to follow the government guidance on practising good hygiene, social distancing and self-isolating when required. As Governor, I will continue to do all I can to help ensure the safety and security of Cayman, working in close conjunction with both the Cayman authorities and UK Government agencies,” Roper said. UK pledges support, medical supplies for OTs “We will also stand by the OTs in the long run as they deal with the impacts of the pandemic.” Baroness Liz Sugg Cayman praised for COVID-19 efforts RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky UK Overseas Territories Minister Baroness Liz Sugg says the UK stands with its overseas territories as they, like most of the world, continue to grapple with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. She said the UK government is procuring medical equipment and support for each territory. “The UK Government is working closely with the Overseas Territories to ensure they receive the help that is necessary,” Sugg said in a statement released by the Governor’s Office on Thursday. “But we will also stand by the OTs in the long run as they deal with the impacts of the pandemic,” Sugg added. At Wednesday’s COVID-19 press briefing, Premier Alden McLaughlin said he and other overseas territories leaders held a conference call to discuss the current state of play with coronavirus. He said that OT leaders, through the call, learned of the developments in the other Baroness Liz Sugg and Premier Alden McLaughlin following a meeting in London last month. 6Imagine an employer that fosters growth. 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 ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky Some public bus drivers are sanitising their vehicles, while others are choosing not to continue driving buses. However, the drivers have not received any official word on procedures or approaches for operating their buses during the coronavirus crisis. Staff at the bus terminal in George Town told the Cayman Compass they were not given any materials or information to pass onto passengers or operators. “We haven’t received any specific information about COVID-19,” said Luke Berry of the Public Transport Operators Association. “All the information that we received came from the media.” At a press conference Thursday, Premier Alden McLaughlin addressed the situation with public transport, noting that both passengers and drivers had to “behave responsibly” when it came to seating. Passengers “[should] not crowd the buses in the way they sometimes do, so that there is some degree of distance between individuals”, he said, adding that if public transport were closed down that would “create another set of issues”. Meanwhile, drivers at the bus depot told the Compass they had received no information from the Public Transport Unit on COVID-19. “Out of an abundance of caution, some drivers have taken their own safety measures,” said Berry. “Some drivers have gotten Lysol sprays and others sanitising wipes to keep the bus clean. Others have chosen not to come to work at all. But everything they do is on their initiative, and not mandatory.” Staff from the Health Services Authority met with some drivers and handed out flyers containing advice about preventative and sanitising measures. When Compass staff visited the depot, those flyers were being displayed on the dashboards of three of the 12 buses in the area. McLaughlin previously announced a limit of 50 people at public gatherings, and urged everyone to practise social distancing – keeping six feet apart and not touching. However, for people travelling in the close quarters of buses and taxis, social distancing might not be an option. “Self-distancing is a difficult issue for people travelling on a public bus,” said Berry. “At best, you will only be two feet apart from someone. But, fortunately, we are not seeing the large volumes of people because so many people are either working from home or just not working. The volume has dropped. So, we aren’t seeing that many filled buses.” The drivers said they are not sure what to do if a passenger begins to show flu-like symptoms. The Compass reached out to the Public Transportation Unit, which responded that the questions about PTU’s COVID-19 plans and policies were “forwarded to the Ministry of Tourism”, which has oversight of the unit. No reply was received by press time. Public transport grapples with COVID-19 plans Those who meet criteria will receive $600 stipend RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky “It’s very rough, it’s very hard.” This has been the refrain for many tour operators who are now feeling the pinch as the Cayman goes into lockdown mode in mere days. Brian Barnes is among the hundreds of taxi, bus and tour operators hurting from key steps taken by government to slow and suppress any spread of the COVID-19 virus. While he says he’s feeling the pain in his pocket, he knows the steps taken are in the interest of all of Cayman’s people. “At least when it come to the slow season, you know what to expect. But this is the height of the busy season, when you make some money to put aside for the slow season,” he told the Cayman Compass Thursday. On Wednesday, Premier Alden McLaughlin announced a one-off $600 stipend to assist taxi operators, like Barnes, to ride out the coming hard times as the country’s borders remain closed to visitors. The $600 stipend applies only to Caymanian bus, taxi and water-sports operators, to cover the month of the airport closure. McLaughlin said government would reach out to everyone on the list of licensed operators. “These are all licensed operators, so we know who they are, we know their names, we have their contact numbers, so they don’t need to do anything at all in terms of applying,” the premier said. He did not, however, have on hand the exact number of Caymanians who meet the criteria. Barnes welcomed the incentive, saying, “It’s better than nothing.” “I’ve got bills, too. I’ve got a family. I’ve got rent to pay and mortgages and commitments to pay. ... What the government is giving, I am thankful for it. The government didn’t have to do nothing at the time,” Barnes said. What’s next? Barnes said he was exploring his options at the moment and will be looking at restaurants that have now been restricted to delivery only. “I just need to get a list of who’s open, who’s gonna do the take-out delivery. I’ve got to do something, it’s better than doing nothing. All I can do is just try my best to stay afloat for the next few weeks because although this lockdown is only for two or three weeks, it may go longer, and then it can take a while for everybody to get back into full gear. By then, God knows, the season may be done,” Barnes said. If that doesn’t pan out, Barnes said, “I have a lot of turtle meat in my freezer I was building up for the Lion’s [Club] breakfast. I might have to turn to that and cook it, advertise some turtle sales and cook, sell and deliver to make some revenue.” PTU drivers welcome incentive Brian Barnes The drivers said they are not sure what to do if a passenger begins to show flu-like symptoms . Bus operators are using Lysol and other disinfectants to keep their buses clean. 7RESIDENTS GET UP TO 30% OFF THE NIGHTLY VILLA & CONDO RENTAL RATES on new bookings from now until 30 April, 2020. With over 100 private villas and condos on island, we have the perfect place for you. Contact Cayman Villas today for more details: reservations@caymanvillas.com | 345.945.4144 | www.caymanvillas.com Cayman Villas Terms and Conditions apply. Need a ‘staycation’, scenic self-isolation or just a break from it all? We are here to help. KAYLA YOUNG kyoung@compassmedia.ky Food pantries across Grand Cayman are in need of donations, as economic uncertainty sets in for many people affected by the coronavirus-control measures. The Cayman Food Bank made an appeal for non-perishable goods, in anticipation of the demand to come. “We need donations very badly,” said Marie Eden, of the Cayman Food Bank board of directors. “We’re asking the public because so many people are out of work and children are home, so we’re low on food supplies.” A public appeal from the pantry explained that many children, who would normally eat at school, will now be relying on donations for that daily meal. Eden said the food bank is able to organise pick-ups and drop-offs of donations in all parts of the island. “We’re trying to get something together for East End. We’ve gotten some information yesterday that there was some need there,” she said. At the John Gray Memorial Church in West Bay, Elaine Rivers said the pantry would now be accepting outside donations. The church food bank has typically relied on donations from the congregation. But with the church now closed on Sundays, those contributions have been disrupted. “We didn’t get anything Sunday because there was no church,” Rivers said. She welcomed community donations to help the church keep its twice-monthly service on track. The pantry needs non-perishable items such as canned beans and vegetables, canned meats like Vienna sausages and tuna, and toiletries like soap and shampoo. Minister Neriah LeBlanc, from the Church of Christ in West Bay, said the church had cleared out its pantry this week, distributing food to students in need from John A. Cumber Primary School. The church collects all of its donations from its congregation. Individuals in need can contact the church for support. “Once they call, we will let them know what we have available,” LeBlanc said. He expected more donations from church members to come in soon. The Cayman Compass will continue to update a list of food bank contacts as they are confirmed. Cayman's food banks and church pantries are accepting donations. Cayman food banks need donations “We’re asking the public because so many people are out of work and children are home, so we’re low on food supplies.” Marie Eden , Cayman Food Bank Food pantries in Grand Cayman John Gray Memorial Church in West Bay, Elaine Rivers, 916-0159; Cayman Food Bank, Marie Eden, 9168006, or Phillip Hyre, 926-6111, phillip@caymanfoodbank. com, www.caymanfoodbank.com; Church of Christ in West Bay, Minister Neriah LeBlanc, 949-9294. Suggested donations for Cayman Food Bank: Gift certificates or vouchers for food; rice; dry or canned beans; pasta and pasta sauce; baby formula and baby food; canned goods (vegetables, stews, chilis, soups, pasta); cake mix; boxed mixes (cake, stuffing); applesauce; canned meats (chicken, tuna, etc.); cooking oils (olive, canola, etc.); crackers; herbs and spices; canned or dried fruit; granola bars; snack packs; instant potatoes; powdered milk; boxed meals; nuts; peanut butter; cereals; juices (shelf stable, cartons); teas and coffee; instant noodles; toiletries (deodorant, soap). Cayman Food Bank drop-offs (Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm) Warehouse 51, Sleepy Hollow, Unit 11. First Assembly of God, 195 Old Crewe Road. To donate money to the food bank: Cayman National Bank KYD account #01115055, account name: The Good Samaritan Food Bank. cayman compass 8 news N news FRIDAY, 20 MARCH 2020®/™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. Or skip the trip to the branch, and bank online with RBC Digital Banking - anywhere, at any time, on any device. Visit caribbeandigital.rbc.com or download the RBC Caribbean app today. IMPORTANT NOTICE RBC Royal Bank (Cayman) Limited wishes to advise its clients that due to a recent change in the United States Federal Reserve interest rate, the US$ prime interest rate will decrease from 4.75% p.a. to 4.25% p.a. effective April 8, 2020. Also, a further rate reduction from 4.25% p.a. to 3.25% p.a. will come into effect as of April 24, 2020. JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky Business leaders are exploring various solutions to keep people employed during the coronavirus crisis. Using taxi and bus drivers to supplement home-delivery services is one idea being discussed in an effort to shift labour from impacted sections of the economy to areas where there are staff shortages. Steve McIntosh, of CML Recruitment and a member of the Chamber of Commerce Council, said discussions were already taking place from last weekend over ways to remobilise temporarily redundant workers. “There is an opportunity to relocate people from one sector of the economy to another, and I think that is something the government is already thinking about,” he said. “Thinking about things like facilitating deliveries – getting your groceries delivered instead of running round the store with everyone else. The same for pharmacies.” He acknowledged there would be some logistics to sort out, including hygiene protocols and business-licensing issues. But he believes government will remove barriers in order to keep people working as long as public safety can be guaranteed. He likened the task facing Cayman’s leaders to building an aircraft in mid-air. “My experience from Hurricane Ivan is that government can be extremely pragmatic in times of crisis, especially when the pragmatism is being applied to making sure Caymanians’ basic needs are met,” he said. “I think the government will happily clear roadblocks if necessary to repurpose out-of-work Caymanians from one industry to another, and the Chamber of Commerce Council is working on plans to support this.” For expats on hourly wages who have lost their jobs, he said it would likely make sense for them to go home, if practical, at least in the short term. He believes government will help facilitate work-permit suspensions, if it helps businesses keep staff on standby, ready for the reopening of the island. “If there are lay-offs and furloughs, hopefully government will allow businesses to suspend work permits so they can ramp up again once things return to normal,” he said. McIntosh said the key job for government was to facilitate the transition to a temporary “new normal” and mitigate the worst impacts for those affected. The next big challenge will be to crank the economy back up for when the crisis is over. “I think certain businesses can push pause in an orderly fashion, and people just have to accept that their standard of living is going to be reduced for a period of time,” he said. He added that the primary focus for business and government leaders would be to make sure people’s basic needs are met. As long as everyone has housing, food, utilities and healthcare, which appears to be manageable, he said, Cayman would come through. “For many, it will mean spending more time at home with family and getting on with their lives – it doesn’t mean we can’t get through it if our basic needs are met.” Business leaders seek solutions for crippled economy Steve McIntosh Bus and taxi drivers will be among the worst hit. Using them to assist supermarkets and restaurants with home delivery is one option being discussed. cayman compass 9 news N news FRIDAY, 20 MARCH 2020Next >