cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism Weekly, 24-30 December 2021 Christmas lights Page 14 EASTERN AVENUE TM & © 2021 Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. Hello Family. Meals. 8PC 12PC 16PC 1 Lg Side 4 Biscuits 2 Lg Side 6 Biscuits 3 Lg Side 8 Biscuits Hello Family. Meals. PC $350 2L pepsi or pepsi product A COVID Christmas More than 3,500 in quarantine over the holidays. Page 3 Phot o: T aneos Ramsa y 6.4% infl ation for Cayman Page 24 6.4% infl ation for Cayman Page 24 5-decade- old mystery of missing plane Page 16Matinees (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. ‘83 (PG) (FRI) 12:15 | 3:45 (SAT, MON-TUE) 3:15 (SUN) 3:15 | 6:40 (WED-THURS) 3:05 SING 2 (PG) (FRI) 1:20 VIP | 4:05 VIP | 4:15 | 7:15 (SAT) 3:15 | 3:40 VIP | 6:45 (SUN) 3:30 | 3:40 VIP | 6:10 | 6:30 VIP | 6:45 (MON-TUE) 12:35 | 12:45 VIP | 3:50 VIP | 3:50 | 6:45 (WED) 12:25 | 12:40 | 12:45 VIP | 3:20 | 3:50 VIP | 6:35 (THURS) 12:25 | 12:45 VIP | 3:50 | 3:50 VIP | 6:35 SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME (PG-13) (FRI ) 12:35 | 12:50 VIP | 3:55 | 4:10 VIP | 6:45 VIP | 7:15 | 7:30 VIP (SAT) 3:25 VIP | 3:30 | 6:45 VIP | 6:50 | 9:25 | 10:00 VIP | 10:10 (SUN) 3:10 VIP | 3:20 | 3:25 VIP | 4:10 | 6:20 VIP | 6:45 VIP | 7:30 | 8:50 | 9:10 VIP | 9:25 | 9:40 VIP | 10:00 VIP | 10:10 (MON) 12:15 | 12:15 VIP | 3:25 | VIP | 3:30 | 6:45 VIP | 6:50 | 9:25 | 9:50 VIP | 10:00 VIP | 10:10 (TUE) 12:15 | 12:15 VIP | 3:25 VIP | 3:30 | 6:45 VIP | 6:50 | 9:25 | 10:00 VIP | 10:10 (WED) 12:15 | 12:15 VIP | 3:25 VIP | 3:30 | 6:45 VIP | 6:50 | 9:15 | 9:50 VIP | 10:00 VIP | 10:10 (THURS) 12:15 | 12:15 VIP | 3:25 VIP | 3:30 | 6:45 VIP | 6:50 | 9:15 | 10:00 VIP | 10:10 THE MATRIX RESURRECTIONS (R) (FRI) 12:30 VIP | 12:45 | 1:00 | 3:45 VIP | 4:00 | 7:00 VIP | 7:00 | 7:20 (SAT) 3:40 | 3:45 VIP | 6:10 | 6:20 VIP | 6:55 | 7:00 VIP | 9:30 | 9:40 VIP | 10:05 | 10:15 VIP (MON) 12:20 | 12:30 | 12:30 VIP | 3:40 | 3:45 VIP | 6:30 VIP | 6:30 | 6:55 | 7:00 VIP | 9:45 | 10:05 | 10:15 VIP (TUE) 12:20 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 3:40 | 3:45 VIP | 6:30 | 6:30 VIP | 6:55 | 9:35 VIP | 9:45 | 9:50 VIP | 10:05 (WED) 12:20 | 12:30 VIP | 3:40 | 3:45 VIP | 6:30 VIP | 6:55 | 7:00 VIP | 8:40 | 10:05 | 10:15 VIP (THUR) 12:20 | 12:30 | 12:30 VIP | 3:40 | 3:45 VIP | 6:30 | 6:30 VIP | 6:55 | 7:00 VIP | 9:45 | 9:50 VIP | 10:05 | 10:15 VIP WHAT’S PLAYING THIS WEEK weather Friday Forecast FORECAST Partly cloudy skies with a 30% chance of evening showers. SEA STATE Slight to moderate with heights 2 to 4 feet. caymancompass.comfacebook.com/caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass WINDS Northeast at 5 to 10 knots becoming 10 to 15 knots by night. 86°F HIGH 72°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 FIND US ONLINE Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass Blood Bank appeals for O Positive blood The Cayman Islands Blood Bank is calling for donations of Type O Positive blood in a ‘critical’ appeal as supply chain issues slow the receipt of blood. Head of Laboratory and Blood Bank Services at the Health Services Authority Judith Clarke, in her appeal on 22 Dec., also asked that all eligible individuals donate blood immediately, regardless of their blood type. “Supply chain delays from the US, due to the pandemic, [have] slowed the receipt of blood, therefore Cayman needs to increase our local blood donations to ensure we have adequate supply for patients when they need it,” Clarke said. Addressing concerns that donors may have about COVID-19, Clarke assured, “It is not possible to contract COVID-19 through blood donation.” “The Blood Bank at the Cayman Islands Hospital takes every precaution to minimize the risk to blood donors, including appropriate physical distance between people and sanitization. Persons who have recovered from COVID-19 are also able to donate blood,” she explained. 8-year prison sentence for manager of Cayman fund New Zealand fund manager Kelly Tonkin, who overstated the net asset value of his Cayman fund and forged a BDO Cayman Islands auditors report by copying the firm’s letterhead and signature on fabricated accounts and audit statements, has been sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison by a court in Christchurch. Tonkin, 52, will have to serve at least four years and three months of the sentence before he is eligible for parole. New Zealand’s Serious Fraud Office brought charges against Tonkin in March 2021, one year after his firm Penrich Capital collapsed, alleging that he had overstated the value of the Cayman Islands-registered Penrich Global Macro Fund by tens of millions of dollars. At the sentencing on 21 Dec., Tonkin read a letter in which he apologised to investors, his family, friends and co-workers, saying he was sorry for the hurt he caused and that there were no excuses or explanations for his actions. “I still don’t understand why I chose to be dishonest rather than accept that the investments had gone wrong,” he said, according to New Zealand news website Stuff. “What I did was foolish, wrong and utterly dishonest. I am very sorry for all the people who have lost money in their investments. I thought I could get their money back.” Police urge victims of suspected drink spiking to come forward The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service has issued a personal safety advisory urging anyone who thinks they may have been a victim of drink spiking to report the incident. It comes as reports circulate on social media about drinks being spiked at local waterholes. Responding to queries from the Cayman Compass on 18 Dec., police confirmed they were aware of messages on social media about women being drugged, and they conducted a search of reports made to the RCIPS over the past month. “There are two incidents that could possibly indicate drink spiking, however neither specify drink spiking,” the RCIPS told the Compass. New crossings in GT cause headaches for motorists Newly-paved pedestrian crossings along Heroes Square have become a motorist’s nightmare while driving in George Town. However, the Ministry of Planning, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure has said it is working to address the issue. The crossings, part of the George Town Revitalisation Initiative, have been given a poor grade from local motorists, who took to social media to complain about the damage their vehicles are facing as a result of the height of the crossings. “Seriously, whose idea was it with those gigantic sidewalk speed bumps in the middle of George Town?” one commenter posted. The ministry told the Compass that work was in progress to address the complaints. “We are aware of the issues being faced by motorists – further work continues in short order, which will address same, and help to accommodate both vehicles and pedestrians using the crossing. We encourage members of the public to proceed with care as adjustments are made to improve the area,” the ministry said. Earthquake delayed serving of court papers in Marl Road libel case The January 2020 earthquake led to a day’s delay in the serving of a statement of claim relating to a libel action against Cayman Marl Road’s Sandra Hill, ultimately resulting in a court setting aside an order for Hill to pay businessman John Felder $105,000 in damages. The hearing to set aside the earlier judgment was held on 22 Nov. this year, and the reasons behind that decision by Justice Robin McMillan were published earlier this month. The judge reversed his earlier default judgment, which he made on 15 Jan., because Felder had failed to serve the statement of claim before the expiration of 14 days after Hill gave notice of her intention to defend the case, and his lawyers had failed to disclose this to the court. It emerged, following inquiries from lawyers from Broadhurst appointed by Hill in the later stages of the court hearings, that a staffer at Priestleys law firm, which represented Felder, had tried to file the papers on 28 Jan. 2020 – the deadline for serving the statement of claim – but the court was closed because of the earthquake, and the paper were filed the next day. However, it was stated in court during the original hearing that the papers had been served on 28 Jan. The setting aside of the default judgment also meant that a September ruling by Justice Marlene Carter on how much Hill should pay in damages was also abandoned. Motorists have complained about the design of the newly-paved pedestrian crossings at Heroes Square in George Town. - Photo: Taneos Ramsay news in brief cayman compass 2 N news FRIDAY, 24 DECEMBER 2021RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky While families and friends mark the yuletide season, at least 3,500 others, including high-ranking government officials, will be spending their Christmas in a less traditional way this year. There will be no Champagne brunches, beach trips, or family visits for the many in Cayman who are in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19 – instead Zoom calls and Christmas movies will be the order of the day. In the run-up to Christmas, COVID has been on the minds of all residents, as social distancing and hand sanitising has been part and parcel of the flurry of shopping. Out of caution or in response to a government measure to close venues at midnight, several Christmas parties have been cancelled. Even Santa has been donning his mask at various gift- giving events around the islands. At the time of publication, Cayman’s officially-confirmed Omicron cases stood at four and Public Health officials indicated that genomic sequencing of the 72 suspected cases was under way. While genome sequencing will confirm the strain, if the PCR test shows an S-gene dropout, it is almost certain that the tested individual has the new variant. The total number of people in isolation linked to community transmission at midnight on 23 Dec., was 3,506. Government has not released recent figures for the number of travellers in quarantine. East End MP among those in isolation Parliamentary Secretary and East End MP Isaac Rankine will be among those locked in for the holidays, having tested positive for coronavirus. Rankine, in a post on his Facebook page, announced that, he was also among 76 (as at 23 Dec.) suspected or confirmed Omicron variant cases in Cayman. “My friends, after a daily practice of taking the Lateral Flow Tests, on Monday (20 Dec.) I did a PCR test because someone in our office tested positive for COVID-19. The result of my PCR test was positive for COVID-19 and there is a likelihood that I was exposed to and contracted the new variant Omicron. So far, I feel fine and also asymptomatic,” Rankine wrote in his message to constituents, adding that he was disappointed his test result meant he could not spend Christmas making home visits in the district. According to a 22 Dec. government update, Cayman recorded two more deaths from COVID-19 in Cayman, bringing the total number of coronavirus- related deaths to 11. As of 23 Dec., active cases of COVID-19 stood at 3,544 – about 5% of the estimated population – with the total number of cases recorded since the start of the pandemic at 8,386. Six COVID-19 patients were in hospital as of 23 Dec. UK green lights vaccination for 5-11 year-olds As Cayman marked 57,039 residents reaching full vaccination status in that report, news emerged from the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency that approval had been granted of a new paediatric formulation of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, called Comirnaty, for children aged 5 to 11 years old. However, this does not mean Cayman will automatically allow vaccination of that age group here. Cayman still has to wait for authorisation from the UK before the paediatric formulation can be administered here. The UK regulatory agency, in its statement on the vaccine, said it is “safe and effective”. The separate vaccine formulation of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which contains one-third of the dose given to adolescents and adults, will be administered to children with a smaller needle. The children will receive 10 micrograms of the vaccine rather than the 30 micrograms given to older individuals. A Governor’s Office spokesperson told the Compass that interim Chief Medical Officer Dr. Autilia Newton has been asked to provide eligible numbers “so that we can place an order with [the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office]”. Cayman receives its vaccine supply from the UK. US approves COVID pill Meanwhile, the US Food and Drug Administration on 22 Dec., authorised the use of a Pfizer pill to treat the virus in adults and children over the age of 12. The pill, known as Paxlovid, was approved for treatment of mild-to- moderate coronavirus disease in COVID-positive people who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalisation or death, the FDA said in a statement. The authorisation introduces the first treatment for COVID-19 that is in the form of a pill that is taken orally, “a major step forward in the fight against this global pandemic,” Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said. The FDA noted that Paxlovid is not authorised for preventative use or for use in hospitalised patients who already have severe or critical COVID-19. It also pointed out that the drug is not a substitute for vaccinations and boosters. Thousands in quarantine as Cayman prepares for a COVID Christmas A very masky Christmas: Kids receive gifts during the Fire Service and Cayman Islands Motorcycle Riders Association's annual Christmas Toys 4 Tots Donation Drive on 19 Dec. - Photo: GIS 3,544 COVID cases, as of 23 Dec. cayman compass news N news 3 FRIDAY, 24 DECEMBER 20211234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 Recurrent round of events (5) 4 Restrain (7) 8 Arithmetical problem (3) 9 To quarrel (4,5) 10 Defendant (7) 11 Roman equivalent of Aphrodite (5) 13 To soak (6) 15 Elementary textbook (6) 18 Virulence (5) 19 A soft worsted fabric (7) 21 Light conversation (5,4) 23 Chart (3) 24 Unperturbed (7) 25 Use unprofitably (5) DOWN 1 A sweet sauce (7) 2 Confess everything (4,5) 3 Characteristic spirit (5) 4 Encroach upon (6) 5 In spite of that (7) 6 Obstruct (3) 7 Long protruding teeth (5) 12 Accuse specified persons (4,5) 14 Intricate (7) 16 Fall back again (7) 17 Frightened (6) 18 Peak of a cap (5) 20 Awry (5) 22 Entirely (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16883 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 16883 ACROSS: 1 Cycle, 4 Inhibit, 8 Sum, 9 Have words, 10 Accused, 11 Venus, 13 Drench, 15 Primer, 18 Venom, 19 Flannel, 21 Small talk, 23 Map, 24 Relaxed, 25 Waste. DOWN: 1 Custard, 2 Come clean, 3 Ethos, 4 Invade, 5 However, 6 Bar, 7 Tusks, 12 Name names, 14 Complex, 16 Relapse, 17 Afraid, 18 Visor, 20 Askew, 22 All. plastic water bottles imported from California, and enjoy air conditioning supplied by imported fossil fuel. Factor in the burden of imported labor, and you see where it’s going. No matter how it’s justified, tourism is harmful to the planet. Yes, many of us depend on tourism. Yes, I worked in the industry, and my photos have been used to promote tourism so I accept the hypocrisy. However, just because things have been done the same way for so long doesn’t mean we shouldn’t consider how our actions today impact future generations. It’s not always about just money. – David Wolfe Forgetting the ever increasing debt of both government and private sector, including families loans – well over a half a billion dollars in debts after nearly two years – it’s time to open borders. We have been one of the very few, if not [the] only country in the world, privileged to have had a year and a half to prepare for cases going forward. If we are not prepared by now, we will never be prepared. – Rob Smith Approximately 1,700 Caymanians worked in the hospitality sector, according to the Covid-19 Economic Assessment Plan published by the government. So we are putting some 60,000-70,000 people at risk for the sake of preserving profits for an industry which is principally benefitting foreign companies and investors? – Anna Peccarino UK regulator approves Pfizer vaccines for 5-11 year olds Waiting patiently for Cayman to pass this regulation as well. – Cayman WCC Can we just get confirmation that... if everyone from age 5 and up has been or had the opportunity to be vaccinated, quarantine and isolation will be scrapped, no matter for travel, school, work, community outbreaks? – Jason Snyman Wonderful news! Looking forward to when it’s approved for 4 year olds, for my son – Catriona Walters Lateral flow tests among 500 pounds of debris found on beach Where are all the bio-hazard bins and safety protocols for disposal of these dangerous items during a deadly pandemic? – Amanda Branch Vierra My daughter found a positive COVID lateral test at Camana Bay last Saturday, just thrown on the floor. – Tenneshia Coley Worldwide pollution problem since March 2019. Who’d a thunk it? – Kenny Tequila Disgusting! – Cyndy Ebanks Some people just nasty. – Stacey Toosweet Two further COVID-related deaths, as suspected Omicron cases reach 54 Sad, I thought the vaccine was going to help the most at-risk people, healthy people don’t need protection. It’s the vulnerable and elderly people that need this so badly. This is why you gotta live your life while God allows you to be on this beautiful Earth. Prayers for these families. – Jd Williams Whatever happened to Delta? Or are we just done with that now? Reporting just seems to be focused on Omicron. Isn’t Delta reportedly more severe? – John McLean A lot of the queue at HSA is for booster shots. I’m guessing there are tens of thousands yet to get their booster. I almost could not be bothered and almost fainted in the heat waiting and waiting! What does the government want? Do they want us to have boosters or not? I’d actually pay to go to my GP for these shots if that were an option. I hope something is done to make boosters easier to get. – Natasha Playne Governor, DG plead for road safety as 28 collisions mar pre-holiday weekend The reckless abandon people drive with at all hours of the day on this island is like nowhere I have ever seen. People drive with complete disregard for their own lives and those of others. Static speed cameras would be a good start. I live on Town Hall Road and regularly see people doing speeds that would get them a ticket on the highway down our street. If there was a guarantee that they would get a ticket and a bump on their insurance, I bet people would slow down. – AJ McGovern Halt to tourism weighed on Cayman economy, despite strong construction and finance sectors There is no such thing as sustainable tourism. Yes, our historic business model puts money in a few pockets; but should this continue at historic levels? By promoting tourism, we encourage people to burn fossil fuels to get here, eat our imported foods, drink from our What they’re saying Online Umbrellas have been installed along the George Town waterfront, in anticipation of the subsequently-aborted arrival of Cayman’s first cruise ship since the closure of borders in March 2020. For the full story, see page 5. cayman compass 4 news N news FRIDAY, 24 DECEMBER 2021CITA boss: ‘It is a disappointment’ RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky The Cayman Islands government has reversed a decision to allow a cruise ship to stop at George Town on 28 Dec. In an announcement made on 22 Dec., the government stated that Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam ship, carrying 1,600 passengers, would not be calling on Grand Cayman, due to concerns over the highly contagious COVID-19 Omicron variant. Cayman Islands Tourism Association President Marc Langevin told the Cayman Compass that the about-turn by the government was “a disappointment for the many members whose livelihoods depends on this important segment of our tourism product”. The Compass reached out Holland America for comment, but the company had not responded by press time. Back in November, Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan announced that Cabinet had given approval for the ship to visit Grand Cayman, and he reiterated at a government press briefing on 16 Dec., that the visit would go ahead. It would have been first cruise ship to anchor here since March 2020. The ship’s visit had been intended as a trial run, to prepare the island for the eventual return of cruise tourism. In anticipation of the arrival of the cruise tourists, for example, the Port Authority has erected a line of umbrellas to shade passengers as they wait at the harbourfront to reboard the ships. In originally announcing Cabinet’s approval of the visit, Bryan said, “This single cruise ship call presents an opportunity for us to find the safest way to welcome back our cruise visitors while we can continue to navigate the challenges of the pandemic.” The tourism minister had negotiated specific conditions with the cruise line, including that Cayman be the first port of call on the ship's itinerary and that guests and crew be subjected to the same requirements as stayover visitors, such as a pre-arrival COVID testing. Holland America Line already requires all passengers on its ships to be vaccinated and to provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within two days of sailing. Langevin remarked that, “Unfortunately, CITA was not consulted prior to make the decision to welcome back our first pilot programme nor in the decision to cancel.” He said the tourism association was not aware of the issues which led to the decision to cancel the cruise, nor was it “asked for support to potentially identify solutions to mitigate risks if necessary”. The ship, which is also scheduled to visit Turks and Caicos, Bahamas and Jamaica, is scheduled to depart Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on 26 Dec. With Cayman’s COVID-19 cases still rising, and Omicron cases now detected in the community, many residents had expressed anxiety over the ship’s impending arrival. Cayman closed its borders in March 2020 and banned cruise ships from coming here as COVID-19 raged around the world, so for 20 months, George Town Harbour has been devoid of cruise traffic. Cayman was not the first country to turn away a cruise ship in recent weeks. On 16 Dec., according to blog Cruise Hive, Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas was denied entry into St. Lucia due to positive cases on board. The Miami Herald, on 22 Dec, also reported that Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas ship “was denied entry to the island nations of Curacao and Aruba. It will remain at sea until its planned return Dec. 26 to Fort Lauderdale.” Staff and passengers on board the ship, which set sail on 18 Dec. from Fort Lauderdale, had tested positive for COVID, the cruise line confirmed. Another Royal Caribbean ship, Symphony of the Seas, the newspaper said, had docked in Port Miami with “at least 48 cases of COVID-19 among passengers and crew” on 18 Dec. December cruise visit cancelled It would have been first cruise ship to come here since March 2020. Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan The planned visit by Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam ship, scheduled for 28 Dec., has been cancelled amid COVID concerns. - Photo: File Training described as “necessary to ensure continuity and timely processing” is being blamed for delays reviewing and approving applications submitted to Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman boards. According to the department, there was an initial delay in convening the boards following the appointment of new members, but, WORC Deputy Director Sian Pairaudeau said all have since “been active, with applications being reviewed and processed in parallel with department administrators”. The information was released after criticism from Opposition MP Alden McLaughlin, who said in Parliament earlier this month that the processing backlog was impacting local businesses, particularly as the islands begin to open up to tourists. He read aloud a WhatsApp message he had received from an unnamed individual, who told him that work permit applications submitted in October by that person’s company would not be considered until March. “We are going to face a massive crisis over the next few months if the work permit process is not sorted out,” McLaughlin said, in his response to the PACT budget. Similar criticism was voiced by Cayman Islands Tourism Association President Marc Langevin, who stated at the organisation’s AGM last month that hundreds of jobs would need to be filled with work permit holders, which were not currently being approved. According to the details released by WORC, the training, which was undertaken between October and November, involved the newly- appointed members to the following boards: Work Permit, Cayman Status and Permanent Resident, Business Staffing Plan, and Work Permit Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. The members are said to have received training on data protection sensitisation and cyber-awareness, as well as going through a familiarisation process with board secretaries, relevant processes and policies. The Cayman Status and Permanent Resident Board also received training on the permanent resident point system, the release stated. “We understand the impact on our customers while the boards were in transition, which included delays in the review and adjudication on some applications,” Pairaudeau said. All of the statutory boards under WORC’s remit will be taking a break for the holiday season, with additional training running parallel to board meetings when they resume in early January 2022. Applications that can be dealt with administratively will continue to be adjudicated as normal. The regular weekly schedule of board meetings will resume in January, with the Work Permit Board meeting every Monday; the Business Staffing Plan Board meeting on Wednesdays and some Fridays; and the Cayman Status and Permanent Resident Board meeting every Thursday. The Work Permit Cayman Brac and Little Cayman Board meets every other Tuesday in Cayman Brac. Training delays work permit processing cayman compass 5 news N news FRIDAY, 24 DECEMBER 2021NORMA CONNOLLY nconnolly@ocompassmedia.ky Stony coral tissue loss disease, which is deadly to more than 24 species of hard corals, has now spread all around the coast of Grand Cayman, the Department of Environment has confirmed. The latest disease progression map from the DoE’s SCTLD Response Team shows that the last areas that had been holding out, along Seven Mile Beach and Spotts, have now been impacted. In a statement published on Facebook, the DoE said, “While we agree that this may seem overwhelming, our team is confident that our antibiotic treatments, combined with the community efforts of disinfecting SCUBA gear, snorkel equipment, and boat bilges, IS making a difference!” The department noted that there is less SCTLD in the surrounding area with every visibly-infected coral treated and, therefore, less viral load in the water column. The disease has also not been detected in the corals off Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. The DoE is continuing to appeal to divers, snorkellers and boaters to disinfect equipment between uses. “With every piece of dive and snorkel kit disinfected, there is less potential of transferring the disease between dive and snorkel sites which may have a low infection rate of SCTLD,” the DoE said. “With every boat bilge disinfected between sites, there is less disease transmission to more reefs around the island.” It added that the response team is continuing to use antibiotics on infected corals and conducting research at the sites. “Without these efforts, we are confident that the damage to our coral reefs caused by this disease would be much worse,” the DoE said. “So while this map may appear disheartening, we want community members to know that our SCTLD Response Team is still working tirelessly to slow the spread of the virulent disease across Grand Cayman’s reefs and that we continue to need everyone’s help in minimizing the devastating effect that SCTLD is having on our corals.” The disease was first identified off the coast of Miami-Dade in Florida in 2014. Since then, it has spread along the coastline of Florida and to reefs throughout the Caribbean. It was found in Cayman for the first time at Penny’s Arch (off Rum Point in North Side) in June last year, and began spreading in both directions from the epicentre. Within a year and a half, it had encircled the entire island. Coral disease surrounds island A diver uses antibiotic paste to treat a coral infected with stony coral tissue loss disease in East End. – Photo: Ocean Frontiers cayman compass 6 news N news FRIDAY, 24 DECEMBER 2021 We wish you a special day and an abundance of happiness with loved ones. Merry Christmas from all of us at Sagicor. Our oce will be closed on the following dates Christmas Eve (December 24th) Christmas (December 25th) Public Holidays (December 27th & 28th) - 1:00p.m. - Closed - Closed sagicorcayman.com Friday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Monday, December 27 CLOSED (Christmas Observance) Tuesday, December 28 CLOSED (Boxing Day Observance) FFriday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve) 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m Monday, January 3, 2022 CLOSED ( New Year’s Day Observance) BAF announces Special Holiday HoursSpecial Holiday Hours Happy Holidays From our family to yours RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky George Town in Grand Cayman is among 39 places across the United Kingdom and British Overseas Territories vying to win city status, as part of an ongoing contest in honour of the Queen’s 2022 Platinum Jubilee. On 22 Dec., the UK government’s Cabinet Office released the names of the places under consideration, including, for the first time, towns in the British Overseas Territories. Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands are the only other two OTs to be selected in the competition. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Steve Barclay, in the statement, said the announcement of the selected places is “a celebration of the rich and diverse communities which make up not only the United Kingdom, but also our friends further afield in the Falklands, Gibraltar and the Cayman Islands”. “It’s fitting that, as we look towards celebrating the 70 year reign of Her Majesty the Queen, we extend the competition to include those parts of the world which also hold her so dearly,” Barclay added. Cayman’s UK office, headed by Tasha Ebanks-Garcia, coordinated the bid to apply for status. The final decision will be taken in spring 2022 and announced shortly afterwards. Queen Elizabeth II is set to mark her 70th year on the throne in 2022, and celebrations are expected to be held in the UK and across all territories, including Cayman. A public holiday has been declared for 3 June here in honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Governor Martyn Roper, speaking on the Cayman Compass Facebook programme ‘The Resh Hour’, said plans are under way to host an airshow to mark the occasion. The Civic Honours competition was launched across the UK in June this year, in which winning towns will be granted ‘city status’ and ‘Lord Mayor or Provost status’ for the first time in 10 years. “City status is not only about local pride, it can deliver real levelling up benefits for businesses and the local area which is clear from the high number of applications. A sincere best of luck to all those who have applied,” Barclay said in the statement. Unlike previous Civic Honours competitions, the statement said, an expert panel will work closely with ministers to make their recommendations, before being approved by Queen Elizabeth. Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries pointed out that the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is an “exciting chance for local areas to become cities, [offering] level up opportunities for all”. “As well as fostering local pride and potential, this competition is a great way to mark Her Majesty’s 70 year reign. I wish all entries the best of luck. 2022 is set to be a year of pride, celebration and coming together,” she added. The UK Cabinet Office has also announced 12 cities which are vying for Lord Provost or Lord Mayor status, including Newport and Perth, which both previously won city status on The Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilees. The statement noted that applications to the competition have not been affected by the award to Southend-on-Sea, which was made on an exceptional basis and in recognition of Sir David Amess and his longstanding campaign on behalf of Southend. Amess, 69, was stabbed on 15 Oct. He was holding a constituency surgery at the time. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Steve Barclay. - Photo: UK government George Town vying for Jubilee city status Alcester, Warwickshire Ballymena, County Antrim Bangor, County Down Blackburn, Lancashire Bolsover, Derbyshire Boston, Lincolnshire Bournemouth, Dorset Coleraine, County Londonderry Colchester, Essex Crawley, West Sussex Crewe, Cheshire Doncaster, South Yorkshire Dorchester, Dorset Douglas, Isle of Man Dudley, West Midlands Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway Dunfermline, Fife Elgin, Moray George Town, Cayman Islands Gibraltar, Gibraltar Goole, East Yorkshire Greenock, Renfrewshire Guildford, Surrey Livingston, West Lothian Marazion, Cornwall Medway, Kent Middlesborough, North Yorkshire Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire Newport and Carisbrooke, Hampshire Northampton, Northamptonshire Oban, Argyll and Bute Reading, Berkshire Peel, Isle of Man St Andrews, Fife Stanley, Falkland Islands South Ayrshire, Ayrshire and Arran Warrington, Cheshire Warwick, Warwickshire Wrexham, Clwyd Places that have applied for city status cayman compass 7 news N news FRIDAY, 24 DECEMBER 2021of the newly refurbished Ritz- Carlton resort on 15 Dec., Justin Howe, president of real estate asset management for Dart, said the $50 million invested in the hotel was just the beginning. He said Dart had spent $12 million renovating the old Comfort Suites Hotel which has now reopened under the Hampton by Hilton brand. Hotel Indigo, currently mid- construction on Seven Mile Beach, will open to visitors in 2024, he said. Howe said Dart was committed to Cayman and had high confidence in the resurgence of the tourism industry. “In total, the Dart pipeline of projects and inward investment in Cayman real estate is well over $500 million dollars, creating hundreds of jobs,” he added. “Dart remains both committed to, and convinced of, the long-term socio-economic sustainability of the Cayman Islands. We look forward to the future with great confidence and optimism that Cayman will remain a sought-after place to live, work, learn, play and stay.” The developer is also continuing construction on new office and apartment buildings in Camana Bay and recently completed a multi-million dollar expansion of the Cayman International School. The Olea residential development, within Camana Bay, has also welcomed its first owners, Howe said. He said Dart had taken the opportunity during the enforced closure of the island’s borders to accelerate its plans for the Ritz-Carlton property – pushing ahead with investments originally scheduled for 2025. Howe said this was a sign of the company’s confidence in Cayman, despite the challenges of the pandemic. “We look forward to the hotel returning to profitable operations, and as an engine and a generator for the broader tourism sector,” he said. “Cayman is well-placed to welcome back the visitors we know are longing to return to our shores as global travel picks up in 2022.” Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan has welcomed Dart’s investment. Speaking on behalf of the government at last week’s reopening event, he said the company’s spending was a “practical demonstration of hope” for the islands. “I’m delighted that the Dart group continues to demonstrate confidence in our islands, and the resurgence of our tourism products,” he said. “I applaud the organisation for being bold and seizing this opportunity to further invest in the Cayman Islands.” Justin Howe, president of real estate asset management for Dart, speaking at the reopening of The Ritz-Carlton resort last week. - Photo: Alvaro Serey Dart plans $500M ‘pipeline’ of projects “Cayman is well- placed to welcome back the visitors we know are longing to return to our shores as global travel picks up in 2022.” Justin Howe, Dart A new office building is one of two 10-storey structures going up at Camana Bay. - Photo: James Whittaker JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky The Dart group is investing more than $500 million in a “pipeline of real estate projects” in Cayman, a senior company official revealed. Speaking at the reopening cayman compass 8 news N news FRIDAY, 24 DECEMBER 2021Mass_NRG_GreyLine_Bleed_OuterMask_CMYKcayman compass 9 FRIDAY, 24 DECEMBER 2021Next >