(CMR) The Governor, HE Martyn Roper announced today that his office has been working extremely hard to ensure that as many repatriation flights are scheduled as possible in order to allow people to return home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Confirmed flights now include locations such as Honduras, the UK, Miami and Mexico. Negotiations are ongoing to return Jamaican nationals.
The governor remained people that commercial flights are likely to be unable for the foreseeable future and anyone wishing to leave should take full advantage of these evacuations flights now.
Honduras:
Sharing during today's press conference that his office “has made some good progress” he indicated that a flight would be scheduled for La Ceiba, Honduras early next week. There are no confirmed details as yet on the cost of the tickets, however, the Honduran government has agreed to open their airports to allow Hondurans back in. The one stipulation is that they provide a medical certificate that confirms they have no COVID-19 symptoms. He made it clear this was not a test for the coronavirus but merely a certification that they were not presently ill.
Returning residents should be prepared to stay in La Ceiba as the country struggles to keep the virus from reaching the Bay Islands. With over 600 confirmed cases and another 60 persons dead from COVID-19 related illness, there is a real concern of continued spread.
Caymanians and PR status holders looking to get back from Honduras will be required to go into a Government isolation facility for 14 days, with no exceptions.
Mexico:
The flight to Cancun, Mexico with Cayman Airways has been changed to Friday 1st May. Passengers on this flight are those from a preapproved list from the Mexican Government and will be contacted directly by Cayman Airways over the course of today and tomorrow. This is an outbound flight only. No one will be permitted to return on this flight.
United Kingdom:
The British Airways flight scheduled for tomorrow is full. Interested persons for any future airbridge flights are instructed to contact the emergency travel hotline via their website. 40 Filipinos will be returning on that flight tomorrow after negotiations with the UK authorities.
Miami:
Both flights to Miami on Friday 1st May are now full.
Canada:
Canadian citizen, Nikole Poirier, is working on a private charter to Toronto for the end of May which will allow pets and additional baggage allowance.
The cost will be approximately 1300 Canadian $ (circa 750CI$). If you are interested please contact Nikole directly. Caymanians or PR status holders looking to get back from Canada send an email to [email protected] if you haven’t registered already. For social media Email: [email protected] Phone: 517-0628
Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic:
Flights are being finalized and are likely to leave next week. More details of cost and how to book to be announced later this week.
The governor expressed his thanks to the various honorary consuls on the island, airport authority staff and the management and staff at Cayman Airways for making all of these travel arrangements possible. He also expressed appreciation to staff members in his office.
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