SEVEN MILE BEACH, WATERFRONT, WALKERS ROAD, RED BAY Eastern Avenue DRIVE THRU OPEN Keep family morale high and drive-thru to pick up 8,12, or 16 piece Family Meal. TM & © 2020 Burger King Corporation. cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Thursday, 9 April 2020 Cayman approaches Easter in lockdown Page 2 Guide to the regulations Page 6 Community answers call for protective masks Page 13 165,000 testing kits arrive Page 7640-FILM (640-3456) Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 Camana Bay Cinema is currently closed. Stay home and stay safe Cayman. Follow us on social media for Movie Trivia Tuesdays. 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 Health City Cayman Islands, which closed down temporarily last month after some of its staff contracted COVID-19 from the islands’ first coronavirus patient, is continuing to reopen in phases. The hospital announced Wednesday that it was now open for all emergency cases, including walk-ins, having previously reopened only for emergency referrals. It is also offering outpatients “virtual specialist consultations via telemedicine”. Clinical Director Dr. Binoy Chattuparambil said with the telemedicine offering, the hospital was supporting the government’s efforts to have people stay at home as much as possible. “We are open now for all emergencies, including walk-ins, after initially reopening on March 27 for emergency and critical care referrals only,” he said. “We are very glad to be back to handling emergency cases and fulfilling our mission of saving lives and offering critical care and life support to the Islands’ patients in the direst need of care.” The hospital said a telemedicine trial of the virtual consultations began on 1 April, and had involved providing ongoing care to existing patients in a limited number of medical specialties. Following that trial, Health City is now offering the service to both new and existing patients. Virtual consultations will be provided via phone call or WhatsApp video call from Monday to Friday between 9am and 1pm; however, exceptions are made based on the need and urgency of the patient, the hospital said. To schedule an appointment, patients can email teleconsult@ healthcity.ky or call 640-4040. An insurance-approval process has been developed for the telemedicine consultations, and all insurance approvals will be secured by Health City staff, hospital officials said. One wing of the hospital has been physically segregated and assigned exclusively for the isolation of suspected or positive COVID-19 patients. Another wing is being used only for newly admitted emergency patients, who will not have any contact with existing patients or the staff taking care of them. The hospital stated that its Outpatient Pharmacy continues to operate. Patients seeking refills and renewals of existing prescriptions can email pharmacy@healthcity.ky for assistance. Health City Cayman Islands is reopening in phases after closing its doors last month when some staff contracted coronavirus from a patient. Churches throughout the Cayman Islands will sit empty this Easter weekend and the beaches that a year ago were filled with tents and camping equipment will play host just to the lapping of the waves, and to walkers and swimmers doing their 90 minutes of daily exercise under the islands’ curfew conditions. But for many in Cayman, Easter will continue to be observed, perhaps not by sitting in pews or cooking barbecues at the seaside, but by joining their fellow congregants on Facebook Live and other social media to worship with their pastors and priests, and by sharing this religious time with their immediate families. The supermarkets and stores that have remained open throughout the recent trying times of curfews, lockdowns and restrictions will get a break this Good Friday, and those shops’ workers will be able to enjoy a respite for a day. Cayman is joining churches throughout the world in broadcasting its religious services over the internet, through YouTube or Facebook or other media, and churches are inviting the members of their congregations to observe this traditional practice from the safety of their own homes during the coronavirus crisis. Church members are advised to check their respective church’s websites or social media pages for details. The Vatican, for example, will be celebrating the various Easter masses as usual in St. Peter’s Square or St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, but without the usual thousands of congregants. Instead, according to a Vatican statement, “While Pope Francis will preside over them without the physical presence of the faithful, millions will join him spiritually through the media. Radio, television and the internet will allow the Pope to be close to those unable to participate in the liturgies of this unique Easter Triduum.” Churches throughout Cayman are closed as 'shelter in place' regulations stipulate that a maximum of two people can gather together outside the home. A virtual Easter ahead HCCI begins next phase of reopening cayman compass 2 news N news THURSDAY, 9 APRIL 2020cayman compass 3 THURSDAY, 9 APRIL 2020 Government Administration Building 133 Elgin Avenue, Box 137 Grand Cayman, KY1-9000 Cayman Islands (345) 244-2377 www.ministryofhealth.gov.ky Departments & Sections • Health Regulatory Services • Mosquito Research & Control Unit • Department of Counselling Services • Department of Environmental Health • Department of Environment Authorities, Boards & Committees • Health Services Authority • Cayman Islands National Museum • Cayman National Cultural Foundation • National Gallery of the Cayman Islands • National Housing Development Trust • National Drug Council • Health Practice Commission • Medical & Dental Council • Council for Professions Allied with Medicine • Nursing & Midwifery Council • Pharmacy Council • Health Insurance Commission • Health Services Authority Board • Mental Health Commission • Health Appeals Tribunal • Human Tissue Transplant Council • National Conservation Council • Cayman Islands National Museum Board • Cayman National Cultural Foundation Board • National Gallery of the Cayman Islands Board • National Drug Council Board • National Housing Development Trust Board As we prepare to celebrate Easter 2020, the world is united. We are united in concern of what tomorrow will bring, and in the global battle against the coronavirus pandemic. We are also united in faith. Easter reminds us that hope must never be lost for, as dark as the road may seem, there always lies light at the end of it. We may be disappointed by not being able to celebrate in our traditional Caymanian ways, including Easter camping. But we can adapt in these extraordinary times. Attend an online Easter service. Organise a virtual gathering with friends and family. Hold a household Easter egg hunt. Let’s celebrate together – but apart – to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus in our community. Complying with social distancing, stay-at-home orders and public gathering bans means keeping our families healthy and safe. We must stay home, stay safe. Easter is a time of new beginnings. Have faith, and we will get through this. God bless the Cayman Islands. Keeping the faith Keeping the faith “He Shall Rise … with Healing in His Wings.” “He Shall Rise … with Healing in His Wings.” Hon. Dwayne Seymour, JP, MLA Minister for Health, Environment, Culture & Housing 2 Nephi 25:13 – Book of Mormon1234567 8 910 11 12 131415 16 1718 19 2021 2223 1234567 8 910 11 12 131415 16 1718 19 2021 2223 ACROSS 1 Socially unconventional (8) 5 Resound (4) 9 Gesture of indifference (5) 10 Bird’s feathers (7) 11 Something done irreversibly (4,8) 13 Gnawing animal (6) 14 Smother (6) 17 Courteous (4-8) 20 Before that (7) 21 Lawful (5) 22 Fairly large (4) 23 Of late (8) DOWN 1 Ignoble (4) 2 US university (7) 3 Utmost strength (5,3,4) 4 Facet (6) 6 Confine narrowly (5) 7 Partial (3-5) 8 Unexpectedly (3,2,3,4) 12 Intimidate (8) 15 Goods to be shipped (7) 16 False (6) 18 Ghastly (5) 19 Perform music (4) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16348 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. FridAY'S SOLUTiONS 123456 78 910 1112 13 141516 17 181920 21 2223 24 123456 78 910 1112 13 141516 17 181920 21 2223 24 Puzzle 16343 ACROSS: 1 Cross, 4 Radiant, 8 Tip, 9 Out of true, 10 Partner, 11 No way, 13 Wooden, 15 Pent-up, 18 Steep, 19 Open-air, 21 In reserve, 23 IOU, 24 Treadle, 25 Tally. DOWN: 1 Cats-paw, 2 On purpose, 3 Sworn, 4 Retard, 5 Defence, 6 Air, 7 Teeny, 12 With a will, 14 Exposed, 16 Perjury, 17 Coerce, 18 Swift, 20 Event, 22 Roe. cartoon Jake Fuller Letters to the editor In my humble opinion, if that is the goal and reasoning with the pool cleaners (which I fully support by the way!), then we should be closing up the liquor stores and restaurants too for now. Nobody is going to die by not having liquor right now or eating canned food and crackers during this time or cooking their own meals at home. This would drastically reduce the amount of people on the roads and out there in the community spreading germs. Essential means essential if that is what we are going by! Amanda Vierra Shut liquor stores and restaurants I am 84 years old, stranded on Cayman. I would like to praise the government for the very sensible action they have taken regarding this virus. In comparison to the UK, [where] after 180 deaths in one day, they are still allowing flights into the country from all places, [including] Italy, I feel much safer here with these sensible restrictions than I would in London. My problem is my wife is in London, [with the UK government] refusing to acknowledge they are playing Russian roulette with people’s lives. I am a homeowner here and a visitor for 20 years. Thank you and well done, Cayman. John Bray Visitor ‘stuck’ in Cayman, lauds government action I’m writing as a concerned Caymanian who is overseas due to a death in the family. I have contacted several airlines and have not been able to return home in the timeline that is indicated by the Cayman government. My wife is five months pregnant and I have a 5 year old. We have been quarantined in Quebec, Canada, for about three weeks now. We are wondering why the UK is the only concern. We have many kids and Caymanians all over the world. Are exceptions being made for Caymanians? We have watched all [the press] conferences and nothing has been mentioned about this. Kindu Ebanks Will Caymanians be able to come home? For the many efforts you, as our government and police department, have made in trying to keep the Cayman Islands as healthy as possible from the coronavirus, I want to say a big ‘Thank you’ to everyone involved. I realise that this has taken many, many hours of your time and effort for the safety of us all. Although we have had a few cases reported, we could expect that some would come to the Cayman Islands which have been very carefully taken care of. We know that this will bring a lot of hardships on many people and not everything will please everyone, but we know that if all people living here will respect the orders that are being made, it will be most helpful to all. As an 88-year-old citizen of the Cayman Islands, I much appreciate your efforts in looking out especially for us older folks, who have contributed much to the development of these islands. Not every country is showing that kind of love and respect and would rather leave the older citizens to get sick and die because they prefer to save the youth. Just think back on the noble old people of the past and all they contributed to society. If we watch the TV programmes and hear reports of the youth of today, their interests and lifestyles show very little in wanting to better the world. Every person from every country should be treated fairly which, thankfully, we can see you’re doing here in the Cayman Islands. The police department deserves a lot of credit for their hard work doing the risky job that they have because not every citizen wants to show the respect that the police are due. I do appreciate the extra care that they are providing to us at this particular time. For many years, I have known some of the same members of the police force and I want to give them special thanks for their faithfulness through many years of service. The Cayman Islands is a Christian nation and I want to give my respect to all believers and I pray for the continued Christian standards. May God keep us all in His tender care and keep us faithful to His truth. Thank you for everything that you are doing. Mary V. Thompson Thankful for Cayman’s response to COVID-19 Headline this morning (30 March), ‘4 new cases of coronavirus confirmed Sunday’. And not a one on Cayman Brac {one case confirmed since then], the nearest you can get to heaven on earth! For past two months, here in West Palm Beach, Florida, people were not taking the threat of this COVID-19 plague seriously. People flocked to Florida’s beaches to sun and play together, and suddenly – finally – only yesterday after the virus had been here for eight weeks, Governor Ron DeSantis (a close pal of President Trump) finally mandated a ‘stay at home’ order. Too little and much too late to curb the contagion of this pandemic virus. The Cayman Islands government is acting in the best interests of her citizens. We are thankful during this frightening year that ‘He hath founded it upon the seas’ and pray He will deliver us from the valley of the shadow of death. Nan Socolow Grateful for government’s efforts cayman compass 4 news N news THURSDAY, 9 APRIL 2020cayman compass 5 THURSDAY, 9 APRIL 2020JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky Cabinet passed new amendments to the ‘shelter in place’ regulations, Monday, toughening some of the rules on if and how people can move around during the daylight hours. Over the past few days, Premier Alden McLaughlin and Commissioner of Police Derek Byrne have also sought to clarify some uncertainty around how the rules will be applied and enforced. Here, we try to answer some of the key questions around the new regulations and what they mean. What are the ‘shelter in place’ regulations for? The regulations basically mean you are required to stay home unless you are cov- ered by any of the exemptions outlined in the law. The aim is to reduce human contact and cut down the opportu- nities for the coronavirus to spread. When do they apply? The ‘shelter in place’ rules, also known as the soft cur- few, apply from 5am until 7pm, Monday to Saturday. Outside of those hours only emergency services and essential work- ers, with written exemption letters, are allowed to be on the road. What happens on Sundays? Sundays have been separately designated as a ‘hard curfew’ day. That means no exercise, no going to the drive-through, no trips out of the house or yard except in emergencies. The usual exemptions apply for emergency service workers and key personnel with official permission to be on the road. Can I still go to the supermarket? The regulations still allow exemptions to go to the supermarket, gas station, bank or mini-mart. However, residents are now restricted to three days a week when they can visit these places. How is that going to work? The island’s population has been divided alphabetically. Those with the surname starting with A-K can shop Monday, Wednesday or Friday. Those in the L-Z category can shop Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday. What about going to the pharmacy or the doctor? Healthcare facilities, includ- ing pharmacies, are exempt from the split-shift system. You can visit those places on any day that they are open. What about restaurants? All restaurants are still closed to sit-in diners. But they are still allowed to be open for take-out and delivery. Are any other businesses allowed to open? Exemptions are being reviewed by govern- ment on a case-by-case basis and busi- nesses can apply for permis- sion to curfewtime@gov.ky. One recent example – the premier announced permis- sion for baby shops to open for expectant mothers from 9am until 1pm. Are the old regulations still in place? Yes. Public gatherings of more than two people are still banned. Churches and schools remain closed. What about Easter services? A traditional Easter as we know it is effectively cancelled. There will be no camping and no services, though most churches are endeavouring to provide virtual services. What about weddings and funerals? The original regulations do carve out an exemption for weddings and funerals with no more than 10 guests, though it is not clear if this is still being allowed. Can I buy beer? Liquor stores remain open, so you can buy alcohol on your allotted day. Some stores are run- ning delivery services if it is not your day to shop. Can I take a taxi? The original regulations allow taxis to operate with up to two passengers and there has been no update to suggest that has changed. Are people still allowed to exercise every day? The exemption for 90 minutes of exercise a day remains in place, with the exception of Sundays which is a ‘hard curfew’ day. The police commissioner clarified, however, that the exercise is limited to the 12-hour period between 6am and 6pm. What counts as exercise? Byrne has stated that water sports are banned for the time being, to protect police re- sources. So that means no diving, kayaking, snorkel- ling, wakeboarding, water- skiing, parasailing or paddle boarding – no water sports of any kind, other than swimming. So, I can still go to the beach and swim in the ocean? There was some confu- sion over this initially, but the premier clarified during Sunday's press briefing that swimming in the ocean is still allowed. You can go to the beach but just to walk, run or swim as part of your exercise allowance. Can I go fishing? All boating is banned for now, according to the premier and the commis- sioner. That means no deep-sea fishing. However, the officials clarified that line-fishing from shore is allowed as part of the 90-minute daily exercise allocation. What about parents who are separated and need to transport their children between homes? There is an exemption in the new regulations to allow parents to be on the road when they need to take their kids from one house to another to facili- tate shared-custody arrangements. What about emergencies? There is a specific exemp- tion allowing people to leave their homes if they are at risk of injury or death. What are the penalties for breaking the regulations? Breaking the regulations carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison or a $1,000 fine. A ticketing system was in- troduced Tuesday to allow police to issue on-the-spot fines – similar to speeding tickets for breaches of the soft curfew. How will that work? If an officer believes you have committed an offence under the regulations, he can serve you with a ticket requiring you to pay a fine within the next 28 days. If you fail to pay the fine you can be brought to court. What if you want to contest the ticket? You have the option to enter a not guilty plea and attend Summary Court to state your case on the date specified on the ticket. By doing so, however, you run the risk of a higher fine, or even a jail sentence. What are the fines? The schedule lists fines including $250 for fail- ing to maintain six-feet social distance from another person, $750 for holding a public meeting, $500 for visiting the supermarket outside your allotted day and $500 for being outside of your house or yard without lawful authority. Stay Home Cayman: A guide to Cayman’s COVID-19 survival plan Fishing is allowed from shore during the 90 minutes designated for exercise. 6 THURSDAY, 9 APRIL 2020 cayman compass news N newsRESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Cayman has received a shipment of 165,000 COVID-19 test kits which government procured from a South Korean company. A further 35,000 are on their way from London, officials said Wednesday. However, Premier Alden McLaughlin confirmed at the daily COVID-19 briefing Wednesday that a shipment of ventilators and masks, bound for Cayman, had been seized by US authorities under a new federal policy preventing the export of such equipment. Eight ventilators and 50,000 masks were blocked from leaving the US, which was a“huge disappointment”, the premier said. The overall cost of the 200,000 tests kits was US$4.4 million, or US$22 per kit, according to a press release from the Office of the Governor. The Cayman Islands government is picking up the bill for half the cost of the test kits, while local philanthropist Susan Olde donated the other half. The kits arrived via a private plane early Wednesday morning. Officials said in a statement Wednesday that the remaining 35,000 kits had to be sent by commercial means via London “due to capacity constraints on the chartered aircraft and will arrive at a later date”. The arrival of the test kits means the Cayman Islands Hospital will soon have the capacity to test up to 500 people a day, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee confirmed. In a statement, the governor said, "Moving consignments around the world is proving extremely difficult at the moment, so I’m pleased we’ve been able to get these test kits here in such a short space of time." He added, “This consignment will enable our health professionals and front line workers, and large numbers of the public to be tested... “I would like to pay particular tribute to the private sector collaborators we worked with. The generous donation from Mrs. Olde and the financing of the aircraft by Dart demonstrate the real strength that we can bring to this fight when we combine government and private sector resources and expertise.” In the same statement, the premier thanked all involved in securing the test kit shipment. "I know how challenging it was to source, procure and transport a consignment like this from the other side of the world in such challenging times. The work and generous donations from the private sector were instrumental. Cayman is now in a much better place in our ability to ramp up testing and keep everyone safe.” While the volume of tests that were bought is significant, the governor had said earlier that number was the minimum amount that was allowed for purchase. “This doesn’t mean we are seeking to test everybody on the island, but it does give us the capacity … and we will need to work out the most appropriate policy for testing, moving forward,” he said last week. According to Wednesday’s statement, the “complex and challenging arrangements” for the procurement were led by the Governor’s Office in collaboration with the Cayman Regiment, the Ministry of International Trade, Investment, Aviation and Maritime Affairs, the private sector and the British Embassy in Seoul which did due diligence to assure the quality of the kits and helped with logistics. The team worked with local businessmen Vernie Coe and Craig Merren, who provided the initial contacts for the suppliers, and the Dart Corporation, which arranged and funded the plane that flew the consignment from Seoul via Anchorage. Cayman’s international airports are likely to stay closed until the end of May, Premier Alden McLaughlin said Tuesday. The premier, in response to a question at the daily COVID-19 briefing about the extension of the original three-week closure, said Cabinet was planning to meet this week to discuss the issue. He said that while Cabinet had not taken an official decision yet, he had discussed it with Deputy Premier and Minister of Tourism Moses Kirkconnell, who suggested the airports should remain shut for at least another seven weeks. “We will have a Cabinet meeting during the course of this week and this is the suggested date,” McLaughlin said. Owen Roberts International Airport on Grand Cayman and the Charles Kirkconnell International Airport on Cayman Brac have been closed to all but domestic flights since 22 March. Cruise ship arrivals in Cayman have also been banned. The government had announced that the airports initially would be closed for three weeks - until 12 April - in a bid to prevent visitors spreading the virus in Cayman. As cases in the US, from which most of Cayman’s tourists hail, continue to grow, it was always unlikely that Cayman would reopen its borders by the initial date. One plane that did touch down at Owen Roberts this week was an emergency British Airways flight, chartered by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The flight from London arrived at the Grand Cayman airport Monday afternoon, carrying 58 Caymanian students and other residents, all of whom are being quarantined for 14 days in a government-mandated facility. The plane also brought in COVID-19 tests and medical equipment, which will allow the territory to improve its testing capabilities. The BA flight left Cayman on its return leg to London, via Nassau, Bahamas, around 1:20pm today (Tuesday), carrying 131 people of varying nationalities. At its stopover in Nassau, it is expected to pick up 44 British nationals and other European passengers who wish to be repatriated to or via the UK. Governor Martyn Roper said the flight was the first on the air bridge link now established between the UK and the Overseas Territories. He praised all those involved in organising the flight, both in Cayman and in the UK, saying his office in Cayman had effectively been transformed into “a call centre and travel agency”. In response to a question, the governor also assured that the flight crew that had brought the BA plane to Cayman had been quarantined when they stayed overnight on island. Borders likely to remain shut until at least 30 May Boxes of the test kits arrive on a private plane at the Owen Roberts International Airport on Wednesday morning. 165,000 test kits arrive in Cayman Airport staff unload test kits from a private plane at the Owen Roberts International Airport on Wednesday morning. 7 news N newsYoung students throughout Cayman are now spending all day at home. RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Cayman’s ‘shelter in place’ rules have been updated, but nannies and domestic workers still are not included in the exempted essential services outlined in the regulations. While those workers may not be considered frontline exempted staff, for working mothers like Karen Coles, not having that helping hand around has proved difficult. Coles was one of the people who responded when the Cayman Compass reached out to local groups Real Women of Cayman and Caymums to ask them about their experiences under the current soft and hard curfew arrangements. Coles said the absence of the extra assistance in her home has taken a toll. “[I’m] learning to clean all over again and finding out some things don’t work as well as they should,” Coles said. “It’s good exercise though and I am spreading it out through the week as there is no way I have the energy to clean the whole house and wash and iron in one day.” Mom Jessy Marrero-Jasper, who has a 2-year-old daughter named Scarlett, said living under lockdown has been an experience, to say the least. “I love my daughter but, god, these days have been very challenging,” she said. She said since things in Cayman have changed, there are not enough hours in the day to get all her work done. “My husband and I both have very demanding jobs and we are working from home while taking care of our 2-year-old daughter. I am basically working at night and taking care of her and trying to work during the day. I barely get max four hours of work during the day,” she said. She said not having her helper has been very stressful, not only because of the work constraints but “I am worried about her as well”. “I am constantly checking on her,” Marrero-Jasper said. Another mom, Joy Basdeo, said she is using the time doing chores around the house that sometimes fall through the cracks. “I am trying to do all the things I wished for time to do, the sort of things you don’t usually get helpers to do, like cleaning out drawers and cupboards. Only problem is trying to do too much in one day and the assorted aches and pains from unaccustomed bending and sweeping,” she said. For mother Mariela Amaya, taking up her additional work in the absence of her helper has earned her a new badge of honour within her family. She said she was told, “Mommy, I just want to thank you because I never knew the sacrifice you made working full time, raising five children by yourself, leaving the house clean and food for us, and still do hand clothes washing during weekends.” What the rules say On 28 March, government’s ‘shelter in place’ regulations were implemented. Under the rules, only supermarkets, pharmacies, gas stations, liquor stores and banks are allowed to open. The following Friday, Premier Alden McLaughlin announced changes to these regulations, such as only allowing essential movement during the soft curfew according to a set schedule. People with surnames ending A-K are allowed to go out on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and those with last names L-Z, on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. All other businesses will remain closed. Residents are allowed out only for a once-a-day trip to the exempted businesses. There is also a 90-minute-a-day allocation for people to exercise or walk their pets in groups of two or fewer from Monday to Saturday. On Sunday, an all-day hard curfew is in place. Police Commissioner Derek Byrne and McLaughlin stated in several updates this week that the community has been largely compliant with the regulations and the soft and hard curfews. However, they have both also repeatedly pleaded with members of the public to stay at home. McLaughlin, in a recent briefing, addressed the issue of nannies and domestic helpers not being considered essential workers under the regulations, saying that he understands the difficulty it presents for families. However, he said, “I am trying to be real with people about the consequences.” “It doesn’t matter how close the person is to you. You know Prince Charles has it, Prince Albert of Monaco … nobody’s immune. You got to keep your distance from people as far as that is possible,” he said. “Keep your circle of people that you are in close contact with as small as you possibly can.” The premier acknowledged that there will be an emotional impact from being forced to distance from individuals who are part of the family circle. But, he added, it is a necessary step, saying, “My helper has been with me for 27 years. She started with us when my eldest son was three months old. She was there long before my second one was born. She is like a mother, not just to my children, but to me. “But she can’t come to my house now because I don’t know who she has been around or who she’s with and what can happen if I get knocked down with this virus.” He suggested that if families so desire, they can have their helper or nanny move into their homes, so they limit the movement on local roads and minimise the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Mom Rebecca Palmer did exactly that. “Our amazing helper has moved in with us,” she said. “There is no way we would be able to cope with working full time and home-schooling three small children. I have friends that are seriously struggling,” she said. She sent a ‘hat’s off’ to all “amazing domestic helpers who have agreed to stay and help”. “I acknowledge that there are many that are not in a position to do so,” she added. “I understand it is a difficult time for everyone – I’m truly appreciative of those that are in a position to help, stepping up at this most difficult of times. These women are absolute angels. Thank you for all that you do,” Palmer said. On the other side of the coin, there are nannies like Olivia Simms, who is finding the separation from the family for whom she works difficult. “I know I am a nanny and I can’t see my best friend the lil baby I take care of because I have a baby myself who was just six months yesterday. I can’t come on the road to work or to go look for the people I call family. I miss them so much; to me it not all about the money, it about the family we’ve become,” she said. It’s those bonds that can help many of those forced to be apart. “I [have] been working with that family for six years and we grow strong every day. But now that I have to stay away, it hurts my heart. But I just have to be strong and [the] time will pass by… I [will] see them soon,” she said. Mom Jessy Marrero-Jasper and her daughter Scarlett. Nannies, domestic workers not covered by regulations news N news 8The appointment was announced by Darryl White, CEO, RBC Financial (Caribbean) Limited & RVP, Corporate Banking. Mr Storr will be based in the Cayman Islands. With almost 20 years of experience in financial management and banking, Mr Storr brings a wealth of experience and insight to the role. He joined RBC in 2009 and quickly established himself as a valuable team player with a passion for delivering a positive client experience. As Senior Relationship Manager – Business Banking, Shane was responsi- ble for acquiring new clients and maintaining meaningful connections with our existing ones. He has been a key player in the ongoing transfor- mation of our business in the Cayman Islands and has been essential to deepening our presence in this important market. Mr Storr holds an MBA with a focus in Finance and Policy from Wilfrid Laurier University and an Honours Commerce Degree, Specialization in Marketing Management from University of Guelph. With more than 110 years of dedicated service to the region, RBC has a presence in 17 countries and territories, with 51 branches and over 3,500 employees serving more than one million clients. As one of the Caribbean’s leading diversified financial services companies, RBC provides personal and commercial banking, wealth management, corporate and investment banking, insurance and trust and asset manage- ment services to a wide range of clients, including individuals, small businesses, general commercial entities, regional and multi-national corporations and governments. For more information, please visit rbc.com/caribbean. Shane Storr, VP Corporate Banking Shane Storr has been appointed VP Corporate Banking, Cayman Islands, effective April 1st, 2020. FIND US ONLINE Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass At the heart of the community since 1965 The Cayman Compass is now printing on Fridays only Featuring in-depth reporting with the News, Issues, Living, Business & Sport sections Coverage will continue online at caymancompass.com at all times Classified and Display advertising deadline for Friday print edition: Tuesday 10am. E: classifieds@compassmedia.ky New digital advertising options: E: sales@caymancompass.ky for more information New batch of residents move into isolation facilities ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky Most of the students and residents who returned from the UK last month have finished their two- week quarantine in two local hotels, a step taken to ensure they were coronavirus-free, and reunited with their families. However, four of the students had to spend a bit longer in isolation at their hotel, after they tested positive for the virus on Tuesday. All the students who were released were first tested to confirm they were negative for COVID-19. The hotel rooms now have new inhabitants – those who returned to Cayman on a British Airways flight on Monday afternoon. All the returnees have been placed under mandatory isolation. Jevaughanie Ebanks, a film and TV production student at the University of Bradford, was one of the students who spent the last two weeks at the Comfort Suites hotel. His test came back negative so he was released from isolation earlier this week. Ebanks says the community has nothing to fear from the people being released from quarantine. “I am telling you the government has thought of everything possible,” said Ebanks. “You stand a higher chance of catching [COVID-19] from someone at the grocery store.” As of Wednesday, Cayman’s total COVID-19 cases stood at 45. The mandatory isolation is part of a larger government effort to suppress and contain the spread of the coronavirus. Looking back at his isolation, Ebanks said the experience was no “staycation”. “Persons who think that people who stay in isolation are on a paid vacation are very misguided,” said Ebanks, while sitting beneath palm trees in his front yard. “Most of the persons returning are students; students who still have assignments due.” Felicia Connor, a law student at the University of Bristol, also completed the mandatory quarantine period; however, as of Tuesday she was still awaiting her test results. “I want to embrace my family, my mom and my sister; I just want to be in my own home,” said Connor while speaking via a Skype interview from the confines of her Margaritaville hotel room. Ebanks described his close quarters. “I usually spent my days getting up from my bed and walking to the couch, and then taking a tour down to the bathroom; roundabout right by the kitchen, head back over by the couch, and then finally end up back in the bedroom again by the end of the day.” During his isolation, he recorded several short skits that focussed on life in quarantine, which were well received across social media. Connor said she did a variety of activities to fill her days. “I’ve been doing a lot of yoga, self- reflecting, journaling, catching up on Netflix shows and doing schoolwork as well.” On Monday, a British Airways flight from London brought 58 returning residents to Owen Roberts International Airport. The flight also carried medical and testing supplies. Connor said she understands the concerns the community might have over the returning residents; however, she echoed Ebanks’ sentiments, saying that there is no need to worry. “I don’t think they should be worried or concerned because the government is taking the same precautions, the same measures that they took for us,” Connor said. “I understand their fear and their worry, being that the number of cases has skyrocketed in the last two weeks that I have been here. So I understand their fear and worry but I don’t think they should be scared as now it is mandatory for them to be in this facility.” The returning residents on Monday were driven from the airport in half a dozen school buses, with a police escort, and taken to the hotels, where they will now go through a similar two-week quarantine. Most students complete quarantine Jevaughanie Ebanks kept in touch with people each day via his Facebook page. “Persons who think that people who stay in isolation are on a paid vacation are very misguided.” Jevaughanie Ebanks 58 The number of residents who returned to Cayman on Monday. 9Next >