Cayman Islands borders could reopen March 2021

“By March we hope to have successfully vaccinated and protected a sufficiently large number of our population, including all of those at most risk. If we can achieve that target, we should be able to open our borders once again.” 

Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin

(CMR) Cayman Islands borders could be opened in March 2021 if a sufficiently large number of the population is vaccinated, the Premier has said.

In his New Year message, Premier Alden McLaughlin said the availability of vaccines early in the New Year provides the safest way to open up the country and economy. He said,

“By March we hope to have successfully vaccinated and protected a sufficiently large number of our population, including all of those at most risk. If we can achieve that target, we should be able to open our borders once again.” 

He, however, said measures would be implemented to continue to keep the population safe.  Arriving travelers will be required to be vaccinated and have a negative COVID-19 test before arriving and a second negative test on arrival. Travelers not meeting these requirements will have to quarantine.

Meantime, Premier McLaughlin has sought to reassure the public that despite the economic challenges of 2020, the economy will strengthen with growing private sector confidence and increasing investment in 2021.

He said, ” I am confident that as the vaccine programs roll out both here in Cayman and across the world, there will potentially be much more to celebrate in 2021.”

He said that although the temporary loss of the tourism sector left a hole in Government's revenues, cash reserves of approximately $522 million at the start of 2020 created a buffer against the economic downturn.

“This has allowed us the ability to fund the fight against the virus while keeping the country running and providing economic assistance to families and businesses,” Mr. McLaughlin said.

The premier also expressed that he was pleased that the Minister of Finance and his team successfully negotiated a US$403 million standby line of credit with a consortium of local banks to provide added funding should Government need it.

However, he said, “As things currently stand, the line of credit will not be needed until perhaps the second half of 2021.”

Premier McLaughlin added, “rebuilding will take time and it will take resolute effort, but I have every confidence that our Islands and our people will emerge stronger from the challenges we have faced.”