Cruise visitors reminded law requires mask wearing

(CMR) Visitors arriving in the Cayman Islands are being reminded that they must comply with the local regulations which have now been updated but still include the wearing of masks for indoor events where social distancing is not possible.

Changes to the Control and Management of COVID-19 regulations, which have come into effect today Friday 29 April 2022, relate specifically to public gatherings, processions, parades, boating, sporting activities, and ticket offenses. The Cayman Islands’ indoor mask mandate will remain in effect.

Interim Chief Medical Officer Dr. Autilia Newton urged the public to remain compliant with the mask-wearing requirements as other restrictions continue to be eased. “While we acknowledge that some countries have lifted mask-wearing requirements, we have to consider and assess the implications for protecting our population and healthcare system. Mask-wearing is still required for indoor events where a distance of six feet cannot be constantly maintained, especially since we have noticed a recent increase in new cases over the last four weeks”, she stated.

In addition, all travelers are also expected to comply with mask-wearing requirements, whether they enter the Cayman Islands by air or sea. In order for a cruise ship to call on the Cayman Islands, visitors must be vaccinated and tested prior to embarkation, in the same way as air visitors must be vaccinated and tested prior to arrival. Once in the Cayman Islands, they are expected to comply with local regulations by wearing a mask before entering establishments or taking public transport.

Owners and operators of restaurants and bars are reminded that servers and front-of-house staff are required to wear masks or cloth face coverings while serving customers.

While a number of U.S.-based airlines have removed the requirement for passengers to wear masks onboard domestic flights, inbound flights to the Cayman Islands will still require passengers to wear masks during the flight.

The regulations have also increased public gathering limits for indoor events to 750 persons. The public gathering limit for outdoor areas has been removed, as well as the requirement for a person to obtain permission from the Cabinet to hold a procession or a parade. The removal of the public gathering limit for outdoor areas extends to boats and sporting events, however boats and sporting venues must still continue to abide by their legal occupancy requirements.

These Control and Management of COVID-19 (No. 3) Regulations, 2022 are currently scheduled to expire on 30 June 2022.