(CMR) The Cayman Islands will enter Phase Three of reopening on Thursday, September 9, allowing vaccinated tourists to visit. However, moving to Phase Four on October 14 will depend on what is observed over the next few weeks, Premier Wayne Panton has said.
“Whether or not we move to Phase Four on the 14th of October will depend heavily on what we observe over the next few weeks,” Panton said.
“We must reopen the borders, but we will only do so safely and in a way that protects the most vulnerable, ensure our children are educated, and ensure our people return to work,” the premier said.
As of Thursday, Airlines will be allowed to operate commercial flights and not just repatriation flights as was being done before. However, only fully vaccinated tourists are being welcomed into the country at this time.
Vaccinated persons will still need to quarantine for five days and must produce a negative PCR test on the sixth day in order to be released from quarantine. Visitors whose vaccination records cannot be verified will be asked to quarantine for 10 days.
Unvaccinated residents who travel during this time will still need to quarantine for 14 days.
Minister of Tourism Kenneth Bryan said several airlines are expected to resume commercial flights over the next few weeks. This includes British Airways, which will resume several fights each week to Grand Cayman from September 27.
Bryan said while the government is opening the borders, it has not thrown all caution to the wind but said the quarantine protocols that remain in place are expected to still offer residents some level of protection.
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