(CMR) As Cayman prepares to implement it's phased re-opening on Thursday approved travelers are allowed to enter the Cayman Islands. Until borders fully re-open only repatriation flights operated by Cayman Airways and British Airways are allowed to enter the Cayman Islands.
Although approval to leave the Island is not required, Government continues to caution residents that travel should be limited to essential or medical needs only.
Cayman Airways is currently providing repatriation service to Miami, USA; Kingston, Jamaica and Le Ceiba, Honduras, while British Airways continue to operate a fortnightly service between Grand Cayman and London, Heathrow.
Category of persons permitted to enter include:
Caymanians, permanent residents, work permit holders and their families, persons who own residential property within the Cayman Islands, other approved visitors such as students with a valid visa to study in the Cayman Islands, and persons with close family ties to residents or work permit holders; such as spouses, fiancés, parents, grandparents and siblings.
Here are the basics of what you need to know:–
Travel Cayman Approval
Until further notice, all persons wishing to travel to the Cayman Islands must register their inbound travel request with Travel Cayman, and complete the online form in order to receive pre-travel approval. Travelers who have not completed this process will not be permitted to board a repatriation flight. Questions or concerns pertaining to inbound travel should be directed to Travel Cayman by emailing or by calling 649-6913 between the hours of 8:30 am and 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday.
PCR Test on Arrival
From 1st October onwards all inbound travelers (aged 5 years and over) will be tested at the airport for COVID-19, prior to undergoing mandatory quarantine for 14 days with a further PCR test on day 15. A negative PCR test result signed off by the Medical Officer of Health is required in order for the quarantine period to cease.
Quarantine at Home Pilot Program
Effective 1st October government will launch its Quarantine at Residence pilot program which will allow travelers to quarantine at home provided they meet established criteria, agree to wear monitoring technology and their homes have been pre-approved by Public Health. If the traveler resides with other people, all members of the household will be subject to the same quarantine requirements.
Travelers will be required to state whether they wish to quarantine at home (or quarantine in a government or privately run facility) on their Travel Cayman application. Permission to quarantine at home is not guaranteed and is subject to approval by the Medical Officer of Health. Travelers who are approved to quarantine at home will be notified by Travel Cayman when they receive their travel approval.
Persons who are not approved to quarantine at their residence will be required to quarantine either at a government or privately run facility. In both cases, the quarantine period is 14 days followed by a PCR test on day 15. A negative result signed off by the Medical Officer of Health is required for the quarantine period to cease.
Monitoring Device with Geofencing Technology
Each individual approved to quarantine at their residence (aged 5 years and over) will be provided with an iMSafe wristband. The device communicates via Bluetooth to a custom mobile app on a smartphone and creates a virtual perimeter around the quarantine location. If the wearer goes beyond the perimeter of their quarantine location, an alert will be sent to the monitoring team. Alerts will also be sent if the wristband stopped communicating with the phone, or the phone with the servers, or if it is tampered with or damaged.
While a household is in quarantine, food, medication and essential supplies should be ordered from suppliers who accept contactless payment and offer delivery service. Delivery personnel, relatives and friends are not allowed to enter the home or have physical contact with the occupants while they are in quarantine.
Any member of the household who does not comply with the quarantine at residence conditions issued by the Medical Officer of Health could be in breach of the Prevention, Control and Suppression of Covid-19 (Partial Lifting of Restrictions) (No.4) (Amendment) Regulations. If the breach amounts to a criminal offense they may be warned for prosecution and could be required to complete the remainder of their isolation period in a Government-run isolation facility. The revised Regulations note that persons found to have committed an offense will face a fine of $1,000 and imprisonment for six months.
Cost of Home Quarantine
During the month of October, persons who are approved to quarantine at their residence will not be charged a fee for the monitoring wristband or for the PCR tests which they undergo.
Health Insurance
Travelers are strongly encouraged to have insurance which includes COVID-19 coverage before traveling to the Cayman Islands. From 1st October 2020 all inbound travelers will be required to attest to a statement that confirms that they possess health insurance which includes COVID-19 coverage, or that they understand the financial risks they are taking and that they have independent means to cover their medical costs.
For the latest news and information regarding travel to and from the Cayman Islands please visit https://www.exploregov.ky/travel
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