Cayman faces lockdown reality
(CNS): Cayman faced the first business day of the COVID-19 lockdown with a mixed response Monday. While the streets of George Town were far from deserted, the capital was very quiet, with a fraction of the usual traffic on the roads for the start of the working week. Many stores and bars were closed for business. And with the schools all shut, cruise ships banned and social gatherings prohibited, Caymanians had a mixed response to the new reality they are facing.
It was clear many people had not gone to work as usual. While many may be working from home, some workers in the tourism sector may no longer have a job to go to. Downtown George Town along the harbour front was especially quiet. While some souvenir stores were open, customers were in short supply and many shops were closed. Other stores not necessarily catering to the tourism trade were also shut.
Some of Cayman’s larger hotels, such as the Kimpton, the Ritz-Carlton and the Marriott, are expecting to begin cutting staff. CNS has been reaching out to stakeholders in the sector as the impact of this lockdown begins to make its mark, and we are awaiting responses.
The Cayman Islands Tourism Association told CNS that it is waiting on government’s press briefing today to assess what happens next for its members and tourism, which is on the front-line of the economic fallout of this pandemic.
However, the Cayman Turtle Centre said it was remaining open for business though it has cancelled some group events. The facility is staggering groups of visitors to keep the headcount under 50 within the centre at any given time, as well as social distancing and sanitizing in the hopes of keeping customers and staff safe.
Managing Director Tim Adam said the CTC had worked with the local authorities to put precautions in place. “We have already put many sanitation protocols into action, such as frequent wiping and disinfection of surfaces and disinfecting buses transporting guests booked on the centre’s cruise shore excursions,” he said.
While local supermarkets were undoubtedly some of the busiest places on Grand Cayman today, many of the financial services office car parks were, in contrast, almost empty, as businesses appear to have taken on the advice from government to have staff work from home. Aside from helping to limit the number of workers in one place at the same time, it will also have assisted parents in managing child care, with all schools and pre-schools closed.
Several offshore companies appear to have activated their business continuity plans, normally reserved for use in the event of a hurricane, which is enabling them to keep their businesses operational while keeping staff safe.
Meanwhile, it appears that construction sites are not affected yet as many of the sites appear to be working at full capacity, with significant numbers of employees working side by side on various projects.
Government is encouraging people to follow the protocols to help reduce the spread of the virus, and the commerce ministry is reminding people that many public services can now be accessed online. Minister Joey Hew said social distancing was important and government e-services platform would allow the public to apply online for many services and “skip the lines”.
E-Government Director Ian Tibbetts said the platform offers both resident and business services for immigration, business and industry, planning and lands, driving and transport, education and employment, among many others areas.
The Needs Assessment Unit, which is already supporting some 2,000 families in need before the additional hardships that the COVID-19 is going to bring, said its clients need not visit the offices to receive temporary assistance. Instead, NAU staff will reach out to clients to provide updates as to the way forward.
New clients are asked to contact the agency via email at NAUInfo@gov.ky for pre-assessment or to call the offices: on Grand Cayman 946-0024 or Cayman Brac 948-8758.
It is expected that the impact of coronavirus on the economy is likely to be severe. Government has yet to announce what economic support and mitigation measures it will be offering to locals in the face of the inevitable and dramatic economic downturn ahead.
If you already have a story about how COVID-19 is impacting you check in with our new chat forum: Corona virus and our financial heath.
Category: Business, Health, Medical Health
“You never miss the water until the well runs dry” did anyone praise Kirks when they had Kirks cash available?
Yes. That’s why we shopped there. So idiotic.
With the cruise ships gone the waterfront will be less polluted and the water cleaner.
11:17 cleaner for whom and what!
Abundant marine park life and prehistoric reef structures that built up over hundreds of millions of years. So, that.
Maybe Caymanians will get work now
They didn’t want it before, they won’t want it now.
The purge has begun my friends!
I’m loving this – better get my fishing hooks fastened and chicken traps at the ready.
Enjoy yourself. Enjoy your bird flu.
This may have a silver lining…
I agree if it gets rid of some of the idiots
Everything has a silver lining!
It would throw Cayman back 50 years. Hope you have a dinghy and know how to fish.
This is for those Caymanians that wanted to GO BACK in time!
As long as operating hours are advised we can adjust.
However, I just went to Lands & Survey @ 3:15pm only to discover that they are now only opening from 10am to 1pm. No notification to the public that I can find. I wonder how many other government agencies are imposing restrictions without notification?
posted right on their home page: http://www.caymanlandinfo.ky/ – very hard search indeed
Why not publicise it along with all of the other important announcements that are being made. Now we have to check site for every department that interacts with the public to find out their opening hours?
No. Just the ONE you are going to visit! Really not that hard. But hey, maybe they should have called you in anticipation of your visit.
Answering phones is not what they do.
Do you feel better about yourself being so nasty? I did click on the link and there is no notification about new hours. Some December notifications that should’ve been deleted long time ago.
P.S I am not the guy who went to L&S.
Try that with the Post Office.
Time for the civil service to take a good Spring break. Well deserved.
No great loss!
Now to stop people panic buying again. Went to kirks for my normal Monday shop and no surprise people were buying up the shop. Only surprise was that they suspended giving the Kirk cash. These guys are raking in the profits and they can’t help but to be as greedy as possible.
They suspended Kirk cash?! Just when people are shopping the most out of NECESSITY?!
Time for Kirks to make some windfall profits.
They need it now that the cruise pier is DOA
Kirks has always been the greedy ones of the three.
Personally, I disagree. As I am the original poster I can say I’ve enjoyed shopping there and actually getting something back for my patronage. Only places that don’t do that are Fosters. And they also charge more for most items. Go figure. Suspending Kirk cash makes me rethink who I shop with. May be time to head to Hurley’s.
Head to Hurley’s? You must have some deep pockets.
Shop on Wednesday and Friday and you’ll be fine.
Well “you never miss the water until the well runs dry”
Did anyone praise Kirks when Kirks cash was available?
Probably to prevent any more crowding and gathering since we’re not supposed to have more than 50 people piled up. Also with as busy as it has been there they need all staff to restock and manage the store.
Hahaha. Not a chance that’s the reason.
Are they waiving paying pension
Hate to seem cynical but it reminded me of the days before we became a congested tourist trap.
This may have a silver lining…