100% Butte r Croissan t made with Mix n’ Match 100% Butte r Croissan t made with Sausage, Egg & Cheese Croissan’wich® Bacon, Egg & Cheese Croissan’wich® 2 5 $ for * © 2021 Burger King Corporation. cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism Weekly, 17-23 September 2021 cayman compass $1 | Funding local journalism Weekly, 17-23 September 2021 FACING A NEW REALITY With COVID-19 running through the community and borders shut through the new year, Cayman confronts the impact of the virus. Phot o: Alv ar o Ser ey Latest on COVID spread Page 5 Tourism leaders cry foul Page 6 Community feedback Page 9 Opposition reacts Page 10Matinees (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 CRY MACHO (PG-13) (FRI,SUN-MON & WED-THURS) 4:40 | 7:00 VIP | 7:15 | 9:30 | 10:00 VIP (SAT) 1:20 VIP | 4:40 | 7:00 VIP | 7:15 | 9:30 | 10:00 VIP (TUE) 4:40 | 7:15 | 9:30 | 10:00 VIP FREE GUY (PG-13) (FRI, MON & WED) 4:40 VIP | 6:45 | 9:45 VIP (SAT) 1:10 | 9:45 VIP (SUN) 7:15 VIP | 9:45 VIP (THE) 4:40 VIP | 9:45 VIP (THURS) 4:40 VIP | 6:45 JUNGLE CRUISE (PG-13) (SUN) 3:35 | 4:05 VIP | 6:30 | 9:25 | 9:45 MALIGNANT (R) (FRI, MON-THURS) 6:50 | 9:40 (SAT) 6:50 PAW PATROL: THE MOVIE (G) (FRI, MON-THURS) 4:15 (SAT) 12:20 VIP | 1:40 | 2:40 VIP | 4:15 | 5:00 VIP SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS(PG-13) (FRI, SUN-THURS) 3:35 VIP | 4:00 | 6:35 VIP | 7:00 | 9:35 VIP | 10:00 (SAT) 12:30 VIP | 1:00 | 3:35 VIP | 4:00 | 6:35 VIP | 7:00 | 9:35 VIP | 10:00 THE NIGHT HOUSE (R) (FRI, MON, & WED-THURS) 4:00 VIP | 4:00 | 7:25 VIP | 9:50 (SUN) 2:00 | 4:00 VIP | 4:00 | 7:25 VIP | 9:50 (TUE) 4:00 | 4:00 VIP | 7:25 VIP | 9:50 | 10:15 VIP KIDS CLUB BEAUTY AND THE BEAST SATURDAY 10AM VIP AVAILABLE (1991) (G) CULTURE NT LIVE: FOLLIES (2021 ENCORE) (TBC) TUESDAY 7PM CLASSICS THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (R) TUESDAY 7PM weather Friday Forecast FORECAST Partly cloudy skies with a 30% chance of showers with possible thunder. SEA STATE Slight to moderate with wave heights of 2 to 4 feet caymancompass.comfacebook.com/caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass WINDS East to southeast 10 to 15 knots 89°F HIGH 77°F LOW 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 FIND US ONLINE Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass Prisons closed to public as staffer tests positive for COVID-19 The Cayman Islands Prison Service has closed the doors of Northward and Fairbanks to the public, and restricted movement internally, after an employee tested positive for COVID-19 Wednesday night. In a statement issued Thursday morning, the Prison Service announced the restrictions and confirmed the positive test result. “The employee, who was tested at Northward Prison after reporting feeling unwell during shift, is now isolating,” the statement said. “Public Health [has] begun its usual contact tracing process, including requiring any person who came in direct contact with the staff member yesterday to isolate,” the statement said. This announcement follows Wednesday night’s COVID-19 update which pegged Cayman’s locally transmitted COVID-19 cases at 17, with a total of 10 people related to the George Town Primary School incident. Director of Prisons Steve Barrett, through the statement, said his organisation had already begun implementing preventive measures following the recent news of community transmission of COVID-19. As it relates to Thursday’s announcement, the Prison Service said, “activities have been restricted to reduce people movement across the prison estates. Furthermore, prison officials are contacting external partners to cancel services delivered by them until further notice”. George Town Primary student and family flagged in suspected breach Public Health has said a George Town Primary School student and family were placed in 14-day home isolation after a suspected breach, in which three individuals – including the student – recently travelled to Cayman Brac. Through a statement 16 Sept., Public Health officials said all family members, including the student, have tested negative for COVID-19 at Faith Hospital. They will remain in home isolation for the stipulated period or until otherwise instructed by Public Health. The statement follows the circulation of an audio note on WhatsApp earlier in the day informing the public about the incident. However, the department said there is no cause for public health concern at this time. The acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eryka Simmons, the statement added, reminded the public there are legal consequences for not adhering to mandatory isolation. “Public Health officials along with the Ministry of Education advise that all George Town Primary School households must continue to isolate, whether results have been received or not, until they are contacted by a Public Health or Education official,” the statement said. Restrictions on the way for Sister Islands Security measures are being planned for the Sister Islands to protect the vulnerable residents there, Premier Wayne Panton said on Tuesday, as cases of COVID-19 community transmission on Grand Cayman neared double digits. It also comes as a Travel Cayman statement issued Tuesday afternoon said that Public Health officials confirmed there were currently no cases of COVID-19 in the Sister Islands. Panton, speaking at Tuesday evening’s press briefing, said that given the population on the Sister Islands, a high level of protection is needed. “I think there is absolutely a clear recognition that we have a lot of people in that community who are more vulnerable than the normal distribution demographically and they obviously have less significant facilities there to be able to manage any difficulties,” he said. Panton said security measures are being contemplated, but he did not offer details on what those would look like. Armed robbery on Eastern Avenue: One suspect held, another on the run A 22-year-old George Town man is in police custody and the search is on for another man following an armed robbery on Eastern Avenue on 14 Sept., police have said. The 22-year-old was arrested on suspicion of robbery in relation to the incident which happened just before 3:40pm. Police said officers were dispatched to a business located on Eastern Avenue after it was reported that two masked men had entered the establishment – with one brandishing a machete – demanding money. A quantity of cash was taken by the men and they made off from the location in a white sedan motor vehicle. No one was injured during the incident. Police said one of the men was described as wearing a white T-shirt, long jeans and a mask on his face. The second man was wearing a white T-shirt, dark- coloured shorts, a hat, and had a camouflage scarf covering his face. Shortly after the incident, the 22-year-old man was held. Detectives are asking anyone with information to call the George Town Police Station at 949-4222. Anonymous tips can be provided directly to the RCIPS via the confidential tip line at 949-7777, or via the police website. Woods resigns as Port Authority Director Acting Port Authority Director Joseph Woods has resigned from his post effective Friday, 24 Sept. Woods, speaking with the Cayman Compass on 16 Sept., said he will still remain as cruise operations and security manager at the Port Authority when he demits the office of port director. He said he tendered his resignation on 2 Sept. While he declined to get into details, Woods shared there were challenges with board members that prompted his decision. “Two [board] members were always undermining me and I decided that the time had come to part ways,” Woods said. Although there is a new board in place, Woods said the individuals in question have been retained. The Compass reached out to new PACI board chairman Cline Glidden about Woods’ departure from the post. He said a statement will be issued by the board. Woods was named as acting port director back in 2018 after then-director Clement Reid was terminated from the post. The Authority, at that time, had said Reid’s employment was terminated by “mutual consent”. The Cayman Islands Prison Service has closed the doors of Northward and Fairbanks to the public, and restricted movement internally, after an employee tested positive for COVID-19 on 15 Sept. news in brief cayman compass 2 N news FRIDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2021Disclaimer : 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. GRAND CAYMAN’S ART DECO ICON IS OPEN AND READY FOR OCCUPANCY Priced from US $2.5M Reserve your private tour and discover the last word in luxury + 1 345 526 7777 fin@fingrandcayman.com FIN.cayman fingrandcayman Owners are moving in, the pool is lled and ready for dips, the wine lockers are stocked, the Teslas are charging and the boats are wet. All that is missing is you! Three (3) residences remain for sale, a single level home with two oversized terraces, and two multi-level penthouses complete with private rooftop garden and plunge pool. Book a viewing today to discover why FIN is the Last Word in Luxury. Disclaimer : 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. GRAND CAYMAN’S ART DECO ICON IS OPEN AND READY FOR OCCUPANCY Priced from US $2.5M Reserve your private tour and discover the last word in luxury + 1 345 526 7777 fin@fingrandcayman.com FIN.cayman fingrandcayman Owners are moving in, the pool is lled and ready for dips, the wine lockers are stocked, the Teslas are charging and the boats are wet. All that is missing is you! Three (3) residences remain for sale, a single level home with two oversized terraces, and two multi-level penthouses complete with private rooftop garden and plunge pool. Book a viewing today to discover why FIN is the Last Word in Luxury. cayman compass 3 FRIDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2021FRIDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 20211234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 Style of furnishings (5) 4 Pompous language (7) 8 Total amount (3) 9 Offer freely (9) 10 A republic in the Caucasus (7) 11 Sky-blue (5) 13 Wobble (6) 15 Repressed (4-2) 18 Provide what is needed (5) 19 Forestall (3-4) 21 Reach required standard (7,2) 23 Moreover (3) 24 Refuse to acknowledge (3,4) 25 Country of south Arabia (5) DOWN 1 Aloof (7) 2 A soft cream cheese (9) 3 Split (5) 4 Slow romantic song (6) 5 Commonplace (7) 6 To mature (3) 7 Curt (5) 12 Final terms (9) 14 On the way (2,5) 16 Humiliate (3,4) 17 Attach (6) 18 Funny (5) 20 Insincere (5) 22 Perform a part (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16799 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. TODAY'S SOLUTIONS Puzzle 16799 ACROSS: 1 Decor, 4 Bombast, 8 Sum, 9 Volunteer, 10 Armenia, 11 Azure, 13 Teeter, 15 Pent-up, 18 Cater, 19 Pre-empt, 21 Measure up, 23 Too, 24 Cut dead, 25 Yemen. DOWN: 1 Distant, 2 Camembert, 3 Riven, 4 Ballad, 5 Mundane, 6 Age, 7 Terse, 12 Ultimatum, 14 En route, 16 Put down, 17 Append, 18 Comic, 20 Empty, 22 Act. EDITORIAL BOARD We’ve heard the phrase “guided by the science” over and over during the past 18 months, which is why government’s decision to “pause” Cayman’s border reopening plan makes little sense. It’s a decision we believe was based on fear rather than logic; one that will have dire consequences for all of Cayman. Premier Wayne Panton on 14 Sept. announced government’s decision to keep Cayman’s borders tightly restricted, following a spate of locally transmitted COVID-19 cases. In one breath, the public heard that “this is the new normal” and that locally transmitted cases will be a daily occurrence that we must come to grips with when visitors return to our islands, en masse. But then – in the next breath – we heard that the country would be tightening its current restrictions and not opening borders to commercial air traffic through at least the end of the year. While we respect government’s aim to protect Cayman’s people – and we certainly wish everyone impacted by these recent cases a speedy recovery – government’s leaders appear to be contradicting themselves. While the fear in the community is understandable, it is not necessarily rational or proportionate to the threat now posed by the coronavirus. No doubt, the inboxes and WhatsApp feeds of the islands’ leaders are filled with emotional pleas for extreme action. And that, more than anything, is what has driven the damaging decision to delay the border reopening. The reality is that these incidences of community transmission were an entirely expected eventuality that we, as a community, have been preparing for, for the best part of a year. 14 Oct. was penciled in as the substantive reopening date and nothing that has happened in the past week really altered the case for sticking to that timeline. The tourism industry and those that rely on it for their livelihoods have waited long enough. COVID, unfortunately, is here to stay and the risk in January will be no different than it is today. We are as ready as we will ever be. Government, with the help of the UK, has provided a means to reduce the risk of death from COVID-19 for Cayman Islands residents to almost zero. Those who have resisted encouragement to get vaccinated have put great store in the principle of personal freedom of choice. The data and the relative risks have been well articulated. At this point, anyone who chooses to remain unvaccinated is choosing a higher level of risk. Perhaps that is their prerogative. It would be sad and tragic if Cayman were to open its borders and we were hit with a dozen or so deaths from COVID among the unvaccinated – something other small island territories have experienced. But the elevated risk is something that many of those who insist they will not get the jab, say they are prepared to take. In the same way that we don’t ban cars because some people drive without seatbelts, we can’t continue to close the island off to the world because of COVID-19. The vast majority of people in the Cayman Islands have willingly accepted and respected enormous limitations on their own freedoms during the pandemic. The right to travel, the right to a family life, the right to make a living are all fundamental entitlements that continue to be impacted. It is time for those rights to be restored. Government has done all it can. It has kept the virus from Cayman’s shores for over a year, it has provided gold-standard vaccines free of charge and it has given ample time and opportunity for every adult to take them. The purpose of that effort was to prepare for the reopening of the island and the return of COVID-19. As both the premier and governor pointed out last week, a rise in infections and the return of masks and social distancing were inevitable at some point. COVID-19 is not going away any time soon. While we have been cloistered behind closed borders, the world has been learning to live with it. Now that our bubble has been punctured, we must accept the new reality. Getting vaccinated (potentially on an annual basis), wearing masks in crowded environments and self- isolating when we are sick are among a long list of sensible precautions everyone can take to keep themselves and their families safe. No-one is trying to diminish the seriousness of the coronavirus. Cayman’s healthcare system had ample time to prepare and has the capacity to deal even with an unlikely large-scale outbreak. The availability of vaccines ensures that the threat from COVID-19 is now comparable to a variety of other health risks that we accept every day. And we have the ability to control and reduce that risk further through mask-wearing and social distancing, as and when needed. Delaying the reopening date won’t change that and is unlikely to move the needle much on the island’s vaccination rate, which is already among the highest in the world. Cayman has done an exemplary job at every stage of this pandemic, but the days of prevention are now gone. COVID-19 is in our community, even with the borders closed. Handling the reopening is the final hurdle. We must have the courage to take that leap. The Cayman Compass published an online poll asking for your views on the situation and we want to hear what you have to say. Please, head over to caymancompass.com and vote or scan the QR code on this page. Voting is open through Wednesday, 22 Sept. It’s time to take the reopening leap Vote in the Compass poll Join the conversation online and on social media. Do you support the government's decision to delay the reopening of the border? Editorial cayman compass 4 news N news FRIDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2021Masks and social distancing make a comeback NORMA CONNOLLY nconnolly@compassmedia.ky The Cayman Islands government has postponed its reopening plans for the local borders, as COVID-19 spreads among the local population for the first time in a year. The wearing of face masks, hand sanitising and social distancing were reinstated at many businesses, government offices and indoor public places across the islands, shortly after officials confirmed the first two community transmission cases on 9 Sept. Within a week, by Thursday, 16 Sept., the number of confirmed local cases had risen to 27. Health officials reported two distinct outbreaks, one involving the initial cases reported on 9 Sept., and the second from George Town Primary School. A Year 6 student from the school tested positive after attending the Flu Clinic at the Cayman Islands Hospital on Monday, 13 Sept. The school was closed while testing of all its students, parents and teachers were carried out. Approximately 600 people were swabbed by public health staff at the school. Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee confirmed that by 16 Sept., 19 of the school's students had tested positive. Premier Wayne Panton, speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, 14 Sept., said the next phase of the border reopening plan would be put off for the rest of this year. The premier said of the local transmission cases, “This for us is a game changer. We are pausing… our reopening plan for the rest of this year. We don’t want to be rushing anything, we want to remain composed and carefully consider the various steps we need to put in place to address community spread and ensure we can feel safe and ensure our children are protected.” Reopening plan halted until 2022 Cayman had been scheduled to launch Phase 4 of its reopening plan on 14 Oct. This phase had involved plans to scrap the current five-day quarantine requirement for securely verified vaccinated arrivals. Panton said that tourists would be allowed to enter Cayman but they will be required to be vaccinated. Unvaccinated residents will be allowed to enter or return to Cayman, but must quarantine for 14 days. “We will slightly change the approach that has been taken in the past so that people who are unvaccinated are further restricted in terms of coming into our country,” he said. “We absolutely need to do this in order to continue to protect our older vulnerable folks, as well as, specifically, our unvaccinated children.” Vaccines have not been approved for use by children under the age of 12. The premier stated there were currently no plans to reintroduce lockdown in Cayman. Panton added that government would make changes to the COVID-19 regulations, including mandating masks in supermarkets, restaurants, churches and bars. Quarantine for securely verified vaccinated travellers has been extended from five days to seven days and ‘geotagging’ of people in quarantine will be reintroduced, he said. Other vaccinated travellers will still be required to isolate for 10 days, and unvaccinated people must quarantine for 14 days. Government is also planning to amend regulations relating to crowd numbers. Currently, a maximum of 1,000 people are allowed to gather outdoors, and 500 indoors. However, Panton said it was likely that the regulations would be changed to limit indoor gatherings to 100 people and outdoor gatherings to 200-250. The premier again appealed to members of the public to get vaccinated as soon as possible, saying, “We need to put a solid wall of vaccinated people around our children to protect them.” He said the border reopening would have to happen at some point. “We don’t know how long this is going to go on,” he said. “Government has a responsibility to the country to plan for a future which might include for some time having to live with a virus that we need to manage. We are not going to learn how to manage it by keeping the borders closed.” “We will get through this together,” he added. Border reopening on hold as local COVID cases climb From 9 Sept., when Phase 3 of the reopening plan launched – ironically on the same day that the first suspected local case was reported – commercial airlines were technically allowed to reintroduce routes to Cayman. However, with quarantine for vaccinated travellers still in place at that time, most airlines opted not to do. Five airlines had indicated, in talks with Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan, that they were intending to resume Cayman flights in October, when quarantine restrictions were due to be lifted for certain vaccinated arrivals. Now, with the government suspending its border reopening plans for the rest of 2021, that is unlikely to happen. Bryan, speaking at a 14 Sept. press briefing, said discussions were ongoing with the various airlines, and that he was confident that they would want to come back to the islands if and when quarantine requirements are lifted. “The top priority is safety,” he said. “If we get things under control and we get the confidence of the people and they are ready to do this in January, I am sure the airlines will be happy and excited to do it in January.” British Airways British Airways, which has been operating repatriation flights between here and London’s Heathrow Airport on a weekly or bi-weekly schedule since last year, will resume commercial flights from 27 Sept., officials have announced. The Ministry of Tourism, in a statement issued on 16 Sept., confirmed that BA commercial flights would operate weekly between Grand Cayman and London, and would run “a variable schedule three times per week based on a seasonal timetable and travel demand”. The ministry also stated that the airline will resume its route What’s happening with flights? PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8» Government officials address the press and public on 14 Sept., following confirmation that three George Town Primary School students had tested positive for COVID-19. – Photo: Alvaro Serey British Airways will resume flights three times a week between Grand Cayman and London’s Heathrow Airport, via Nassau, Bahamas. cayman compass 5 news N news FRIDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2021CITA: Decision puts businesses at risk JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky Tourism business leaders have condemned government’s decision to delay the reopening of the border, claiming it is not based on scientific evidence and threatens the livelihoods of thousands of Caymanians. The Cayman Islands Tourism Association released a statement Wednesday expressing dismay at the “indefinite pause in the reopening plan and continued closure of the borders”. It recommends measures such as vaccine mandates, rapid testing and contact tracing, which it claims would be more effective and sustainable means of controlling the threat of the coronavirus. CITA argues that COVID-19 is already in the community and that Cayman, like the rest of the world, must learn to live with it and manage those risks. Government earlier had indicated it planned to remove quarantine requirements for securely verified vaccinated travellers from 14 Oct., facilitating the return of commercial flights and some tourism. Faced with the re-emergence of local transmission of COVID-19, Premier Wayne Panton announced Tuesday that that step would be delayed for the rest of this year. In response to that news, CITA, which represents hundreds of businesses in the tourism sector, said, “This decision clearly demonstrates a complete disregard for the livelihoods of thousands of Caymanians, prolongs the agony of so many in our community, and steals hope for the future. “It is incredibly disappointing that the Government has reversed course, responding to emotion and fear rather than remaining guided by sound logic and scientific evidence.” Many businesses have been hanging on since March last year – sometimes with the assistance of loans – in the belief that they will be able to recover once tourists return to Cayman. But CITA has warned that the now certain loss of the tourism high season, typically November through March, will impact the chances of any recovery for the industry for the entirety of 2022. It now projects a five-year timeline for that recovery. “In the coming weeks and months, many tourism-dependent businesses will be forced to close and livelihoods will be lost as we approach two years without visitors to our shores,” the association said. “The quality of life for all Caymanians and residents will be impacted due to decreased investment in community infrastructure and the need for increased Government support. “Thousands of tourism employees and Caymanian business owners and operators will be dependent on Government stipends for survival for the long term, which will impact all Caymanians and the level of services the Government will be able to provide.” Premier Panton previously indicated that the $1,500 monthly stipends for displaced tourism workers would continue to be paid until they are “no longer necessary”. ‘COVID is not going away’ CITA argues that there is no logic or scientific evidence to support government’s decision to delay reopening on the basis of recent cases of community transmission. Tourism leaders condemn Marc Langevin, president of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association. - Photo: Alvaro Serey cayman compass 6 news N news FRIDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2021It pointed out, in its statement, that COVID-19 is not expected to disappear and the risk to the public from reopening – now significantly reduced through a high vaccination rate – will be largely the same in January. “It does not matter when the borders reopen, community transmission of the virus has already occurred and it is not the result of tourism activity. The Government must develop plans and strategies to deal with the new normal now and not procrastinate further, not just for the sake of tourism but for the entire economy and the country’s future,” it stated. The organisation also condemned what it described as “inconsistencies” in government’s approach. “The borders are now closed indefinitely and the quarantine period increased, yet the Government has not issued vaccination mandates for frontline workers, educators, and others at risk as many other countries have done. “The Government has also not acted on opportunities to control and contain through combined layers of protective measures and the use of technology.” The association added, “CITA has recommended to Government that measures such as rapid testing, smartphone-based contact tracing and vaccination requirements for large group gatherings be implemented. ” Citing comments from Governor Martyn Roper that “waiting out the pandemic is a forlorn hope”, the organisation said it should not be a shock that COVID-19 has returned to Cayman. With one of the highest vaccination rates in the world, a world-class health system and more than 12-months to prepare, CITA argues Cayman should be able to manage the risks associated with the virus better than anywhere in the world. “The Government has now clearly demonstrated a lack of confidence in its own planning and advisors,” it stated. “We must have a national policy that protects both lives and livelihoods. We should be measured, calm and proactive rather than anxious, emotional and reactionary. We must have collective courage to chart a positive course forward for our islands in place of the fear stoked by continual uncertainty.” Citing UK statistics, CITA adds that children, who cannot be vaccinated, face a 1 in 50,000 risk of serious illness, and less than 1 in 500,000 risk of death from the virus. “In the average year in the US, more than 8 times as many children under age 18 die in car accidents than have died of COVID since the pandemic began,” the statement added. Read CITA’s full statement online. Calico Jack’s is one of the business casualties of COVID-19 but CITA warns that more could now go under. - Photo: Alvaro Serey delay in reopening cayman compass 7 news N news FRIDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2021but your home looks like this. If you have a loss, you will only be paid for a proportion of your claim. You paid to insure this... To find out if you’re at risk, call us at +345 949 7280 Underinsurance —are you at risk? Underinsurance —it’s just not worth it. Islandheritageinsurance.com/underinsurance 199123_1-Ad-Compass-2colx10-UndePage 1 8/5/21 11:50:27 AM from Cayman to the UK via Nassau, Bahamas, from the week beginning 27 Sept. Cayman Airways British Airways and Cayman Airways were the only two airlines allowed to operate regular repatriation flights to and from Cayman, and both airlines are continuing to operate flights. This month, Cayman Airways is operating flights to and from Miami, Kingston and La Ceiba. Prior to the announcement that the border reopening plans were being halted, officials had said that the government had approved a new schedule for the airline which included a steady increase in the number of flights per week during September and October. The airline, on its website, notes that its normal flight schedule is always available up to a year out. “However, due to the rolling border closure in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic, such flights may not be permitted to operate as we get closer to the actual flight date. This determination is made in partnership with the Cayman Islands Government who will instead request Cayman Airways to provide restricted repatriation flights.” Cayman Airways noted that passengers holding seats on “normal flights” who are affected by flight cancellations will be contacted by Cayman Airways and given priority to obtain seats on the repatriation/approved commercial flights, but pointed out that schedules and airfares may vary significantly. Amber list People flying from Cayman to the UK on British Airways flights via Nassau will need to obtain letters of certification confirming they have been vaccinated, as the Bahamas is rated as an amber list by Britain, and all travellers who transit through amber countries must verify their vaccination status on arrival in Britain. If unvaccinated, they must self-isolate for 10 days. The vaccination cards issued by the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority are not accepted in the UK as verified proof of vaccination. Cayman Islands Public Health has developed a standard certificate, in line with other British Overseas Territories, which can be used for entry through the UK border, the Ministry of Tourism noted. These letters of certification can be requested from the Office of the Medical Officer of Health by emailing vaccinecertification@ hsa.ky, attaching a copy of their vaccination card as a screen shot attached to the email request. All requests will take three business days to process, the ministry said. Incoming and returning travellers Under the existing travel regulations, all inbound travellers to the Cayman Islands are required to fill out an online Travel Cayman form, which can be found at www. exploregov.ky/travel. A Travel Cayman certificate is required prior to travel and must be presented at airport check-in. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 What’s happening with flights? Contact tracing focusses on close connections only JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky Testing and isolation for COVID-19 in the community is focussing on ‘primary contacts’ of people who test positive. That means people in the same household or anyone who has been in tight proximity – closer than two metres for more than 15 minutes – with the infected individual. It also includes anyone who has had close physical contact, such as a hug or a kiss, with that person, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee said. Lee said public health chiefs in Cayman are following World Health Organization guidelines for contact tracing. Under current protocols, anyone classified as a ‘primary contact’ is isolated for 14 days and then tested for COVID-19. Depending on the recency of the contact, they may also be tested before going into quarantine. If those primary contacts test positive on their initial test, another round of contact tracing begins for their contacts. Lee emphasised that health advisors believe limiting testing and isolation requirements to primary contacts only is sufficient to manage the outbreak at this point, while allowing Cayman to operate with some level of normalcy. In the UK, he said, the use of smartphone apps to aid contact tracing had led to an overly sensitive identification of contacts. “One of the problems with the electronic systems is they are often not very discriminatory and can cause confusion,” he said. “It put out quite a lot of the UK workforce when it was absolutely not required.” The UK media coined the term ‘pingdemic’ to describe the impact on businesses of workers being isolated after being alerted to stay home by contact tracing apps when it was not a medical necessity. Alerts sent out by the official app telling people to self-isolate for 10 days reportedly caused huge disruption in schools, businesses and the healthcare system. Lee said Cayman was sticking to WHO guidelines and focussing its contact tracing efforts on primary contacts only. “There is no question that the public health team absolutely understands what a primary contact means,” he said. Isolation requirement for ‘primary contacts’ of COVID patients Some 600 students, parents and teachers were tested for COVID-19 by Public Health staff at George Town Primary School. – Photo: Taneos Ramsay cayman compass 8 FRIDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2021Border reopening on hold as local COVID cases rise Most of you seem to be from the hospitality industry, and I feel your pain. But on a such a small island, all we need are a few cased of covid running around to get the whole island infected. And right now parents (whether they work in the private sector or with government are concerned mostly about their children. We all understand we cannot remain closed forever, but there is no factor for this type of circumstance and right now the government is trying their best to make everyone happy, but we all know that will not happen as well. So try to bear with CIG until a reasonable decision can be reached. – Derrick Hunter You can’t continue to keep the vaccinated population hostage. Continue with the quarantine rules for vaccinated and unvaccinated passengers but get the borders open. The island needs to move forward and not huddle behind a closed fence frozen in indecision. The economy and most people’s sanity cannot take this much longer. The rest of the world is adapting and moving forward, we need to do the same. Covid is not going away. – Keith Millar Why these ‘Outsiders’ have to come here to tell us how to run this Country?? If the Govt see fit to delay opening the Borders, I think its in the best interest of our people, some of these people are here mostly for the sake of stashing the dollars, we are mainly interested in the lives and well being of the people !! – Mary Rankine Good move!. Better late than never. Please reinforce the protocol for quarantine. – John Levy Poll: Do you agree with the halted border reopening? This was going to happen now or later. Unfortunately a country can’t survive completely locked up. We are humans, we were created by adapting to new challenges. Cayman needs to understand that covid isn’t going to go anywhere, it will be around for years. They will not be able to survive without opening eventually. I love Cayman, got married there in 2019. I want the best for the island and everyone there but it’s the reality that we live in, COVID isn’t going anywhere. We need to get use to it and adapt. – Zach Vigue Local COVID cases rise to 17, including 10 children Amazing the real estate market in the Florida Keys since such ridiculous actions have continued in Cayman. Good luck. We are now living with the virus. It will be here forever. Been a special place there for 50 years for our family but since none of us have been able to visit since March of 2020 we dont think we will ever come back. Our place there has been unusable and a waste of money. A lot of money. Its been a blessing there's been no hurricanes have wiped everything and a massive evacuation effort hasn't been needed. I proposed to my wife there, have named our oldest child after the island but all of it is going to be gone because of the crap with the virus. It is here to stay, get the vaccine and deal with it. It's simple really. – Derek DiStefano It’s going to come whatever it’s how we deal with it. Hiding under a rock is not the answer . – Andy Barnes You have more people dying from gunshots than you do covid, Government need to get a grip! I have family living in Cayman, I’m more concerned about the number of dangerous drivers you seem to have on the roads, and the rising violent crime!!! – Jan Harrison-Ashley Gunshots and bad driving aren’t contagious and do not spread exponentially though. And illegal guns and traffic offences continue to be unlawful. #whataboutism – Rachel Osborne The Government at this point should require everyone to get tested or at least 1 person from every household anyone testing positive goes into the quarantine. – Joey Jose Kirchman Jr. All of these comments about “we’re living with Covid” have not realized that your countries have lost hundreds of thousands of citizens in the process. We have around 70k citizens and have not gone through the numerous outbreaks and lock downs you have. Give our Government the opportunity to make the right choices for its people. – Risa Cooper-Ebanks It is sad and it is frustrating, especially having come this far so well and for that I’m very grateful. But … the reality is Covid isn’t going away and we’re now only beginning to experience a taste of what most of the world has been being ravaged by. If only there were no Covid but there is. Sadly, we can’t hide away forever and there’s a bitter pill to be swallowed. Leaving off taking the pill doesn’t move the situation forward and standing still means we’re actually going backwards. On an island whose economy is driven by people coming here, investing here, availing themselves of what we have to offer to mutual benefit stalling and going backwards gives us a double whammy of Covid plus self inflicted economic disaster. Hard as it will be, we have to re-engage with the rest of the world and them us: sooner rather than later. – Nigel Von Sachsenburg Online What they’re saying cayman compass 9 FRIDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2021Next >