Ten-day curfew to be imposed
(CNS): A curfew will be imposed on everyone in the Cayman Islands from 9pm until 5am for ten days from Tuesday 24 March in an effort to contain the potential spread of COVID-19 in the community following the recent return of many residents from countries where the pandemic is raging. The governor, premier and police commissioner outlined the need for this move on Monday after a weekend where concerns were raised that not everyone is taking the virus spread seriously.
Governor Martyn Roper announced the curfew at Monday’s COVID-19 press briefing, explaining that this was a way of enforcing the self-isolation of all residents who have returned to Cayman since 16 March, given the major threat they pose. Although government has no evidence of community spread, the now dangerous lack of testing means we don’t yet know if COVID-19 has already impacted people who have not been overseas.
Warning returning travellers they must self-isolate, the governor said the curfew was to help enforce this. The governor said people must remain in their homes unless they have a written exemption and that it will be reassessed every 48 hours. If people fail to comply, they could be fined $3,000 or jailed for a year.
“At this stage there is no reason for a state of emergency to be declared,” Roper said. “But this will be kept under review in close consultation with the premier and the Cabinet. It is right that the elected government, which has an extensive degree of domestic autonomy, leads the response.”
With the global situation serious and dynamic, the governor said he and the premier were taking action to minimise the risk, as he urged everyone to play their part to help prevent the spread of the virus. “Stay at home as much as possible,” he said.
Police Commissioner Derek Byrne reassured the community that there would be no excessive force from his officers enforcing the curfew. But he urged the public to cooperate and ensure that they were off the road by 9pm. He said that additional resources were being deployed to help with the enforcement of this and all of the public gathering restrictions imposed as a result of this public health crisis.
Premier Alden McLaughlin announced a reduction in social gathering limits down to ten people from fifty. He warned that people must act more responsibly, otherwise the public beaches would also be closed. He said the ten people restriction and social distancing now applies to the beach, as he urged people to stop treating this health crisis as a spring break.
The premier expressed considerable concern that there were too many people partying on the beaches in large groups this weekend who should know better. He said this was the last chance for people to reconsider their behaviour, otherwise everyone would be prevented from using the country’s much loved beaches and some of the last places we can go to get some fresh air and exercise.
“We are doing everything we can to suppress the transmission of COVID-19 through the broader community,” the premier said, stressing the need to get people off the road and distance people from one another.
McLaughlin said the gathering restriction still does not apply to the workplace, as he was not completely shutting Cayman down yet. But he urged employers to let all workers stay at, or work from, home, and if not to put in place social distancing of six feet between the essential employees.
The premier also pointed out that while the gathering restrictions don’t apply to supermarkets and pharmacies, this was presenting serious challenges. McLaughlin said the situation at supermarkets and the number of people at supermarkets and larger home stores at any given time could undermine all the other measures that government is imposing to restrict the virus spread.
So from Tuesday, supermarkets and pharmacies as well as big home stores will be required to keep staff and customers six feet apart. This will form part of more regulations being published tomorrow that will outline the latest rules around the reduced gathering size and and now mandated social distancing measures.
From tomorrow evening when the curfew begins, the bus network will also close down for two weeks. Although the premier said last week that he wanted to allow buses to keep running, the public health problem they pose is too much of a threat and the bus depot will close from 9pm Tuesday. However, McLaughlin added that the government was working on safe measures to help essential people get to work.
Meanwhile, taxis will be allowed to continue operating, though passenger numbers will be reduced to ensure safe social distancing.
The premier was quite visibly concerned about the failure of some people in the community to follow the protocols and maintain safe social distancing as the new, evermore restrictive measures were imposed.
“This is all incredibly stressful for everyone,” the premier said. “These provisions announced today increase the restrictions that are already on normal life.” He said they understood that “not only are they inconvenient, they are having a serous impact on everyone’s lives”, but warned they were essential.
He advised people to look at the television and see what is happening around the world and the potential danger Cayman faces. “We have put in place measures earlier than many other countries,” he said, suggesting that Cayman could be “ahead of the curve” when it comes to the pattern seen elsewhere once this virus gets a grip, as it has in Italy after that country fell far behind and is now suffering the consequences.
“We have now shut down the borders and what is here is here. If our measures succeed, we will go through two weeks of great inconvenience and stress. But if our measures succeed, we will have prevented community spread and then we can look at how we can relax some of these restrictions,” the premier said. “But if we fail, it is not going to be two weeks of semi-lock down… but a minimum of 12 weeks of absolute lock-down and hundreds of deaths and funerals we won’t be able to attend.”
He urged everyone to follow these restrictions and understand the seriousness of the situation we are facing. Apologising to the community for being so morbid and worried, McLaughlin stressed the importance of everyone working together to battle this public health crisis.
See the full press briefing below:
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
Category: Health, Medical Health
If we are allowed to go to the beach during the day, outside of the curfew and not congregate in groups of more than 2, is it reasonable to believe I can take my family (of 4) out on a boat?
question for H.E. Martyn Roper
what are the plans for the next batch of recruits for the Cayman Regiment? As I have heard from many, wondering what will happen this summer with that now that there is this outbreak going on.
Seems like many are really wanting to join now that we are being faced with these issues the outbreak, the fire, the earthquake, the upcoming Hurricane Season etc.
You’re submitting to the wrong forum.
Day and night, Big and small, Up and down, It’s the way our world is formed and stays balanced. For this reason we also have smart people who have self respect and respect the lives of others and not smart people with no respect for anyone and anything. Because the the latter we all must have and follow rules and laws that will keep us all safe from each other. It’s the reason there is no toilet paper left at the stores and in many homes when there is enough for everyone on the island. It’s the reason we must have these laws instead of just good information for us to make smart choices. It’s the reason that those who make smart respectful choices must also be prepared to deal with the bad choices of others. Plan accordingly and be one of the many who will be and stay virus free.
Am I the only one who thinks this will only help to the smallest degree? People are more likely to contract the virus during business hours. You know, 9-5…am to pm. The majority of people are at home 9pm to 5am either way. If all non-essential businesses are to be closed, then essential workers should be the only ones out at that time. Non-essential workers such as myself, should be made to stay indoors unless it’s to purchase groceries or of course emergencies. Which, if I’m not mistaken is happening in other countries right now. Now, I know our cases aren’t as severe in terms of infection numbers, but we are playing with fire. This is a very small island with a lot of people. The last thing we need is a community outbreak, so I think we should be more harsh on the curfew hours to further decrease the chances of a spread. Call it going overboard or overreacting but I think doing a little extra during a global pandemic is warranted. Given that there’s a shortage on tests, hygienic products and masks, I say impose stronger restrictions until we have enough tests to adequately test the population
Do you really think the curfew is about transmission? Its obvious youve never been in a situation like this before but let me spell it out. C R I M E.
Learn to speak nicely. Otherwise you sound like “know it all “ smart a$$.
If this were the case, and the curfew is only about crime, then why isn’t there a curfew on other days when most businesses are closed?
Criminal don’t follow any laws anyway and yes this a great excuse in their minds to go out and steal what they can not earn. Plan on it. This is Cayman islands where there is no functional police enforcement. Ever.
Under this curfew, am I allowed to take my dogs out to do their business after 9pm – if I stay on the strata property? One of the dogs is older and often needs to go out during the course of the night. We don’t have to go far, but we do need to go outside.
Personally, I would have thought the strata is private property. You can make use of outside space on your own property during the curfew, but you must not go out onto the streets. That’s how I am seeing it.
According to what Alden just said when asked that very question, you’ll have to have your dog crap and pee on your floor. Good luck with that and remind me not to visit when this is all over. This is why cats are better than dogs.
5:29 pm you are spreading false information. If you really listened you know that it is OK to be in your yard but you must stay off the streets.
This curfew is ridiculous!
Like your lack of intelligence..
6:46, Thats what they said in Italy a month ago. Many ignored the curfew thinking they were so smart like you. Look at Italy today.
Practice social distancing.
Why do we have a curfew when we do not even have one confirmed case of Covid admitted to Hospital ?
You are a moron. There are four confirmed and quite possibly many others infected.
Because the best time to lock a stable door is before the horse bolts
But the horse dun gone thru the fence
Because people keep partying instead of social distancing or isolating.
Because people like you can not hear, can not follow laws or rules, and can not think of other people with respect.
Because we have many people in the community without a clue, just like you.
Gobshite.
Um, we have 5-6 so far, one of whom died. Where have you been?
According to the BBC an R0 of 2.5 results a single infected person causing 406 infections in only 30 days. Why are we running that risk? Shut us down!
Yeah…… You got to watch out for those ROs! Maybe they should be outlawed.
Not the ROs! They’re good boys!
What about the Honduran fisherman who come here and sell fish ?
NOT allowed.
Yeah yeah. Riding unlicensed motor cycles and corruption are not allowed either.
or selling cars on the roadside, or taking sand from the beach, or tinted windows
Or assaulting female bar managers.
Fish caught far away from Cayman shores is welcome. Fish caught near Cayman shores is toxic with the Dump’s fire byproducts.
Toxic? How do you know that?
Correct about the canal-based fishermen. The Acting Port Director has already screwed up by allowing Costa Luminosa to disembark passengers on Feb 29.
yes this is the real scandal….and the botched attempt to cover it up.
Government decides on cruise ship disembarking , not The port director .
Get your facts.
Hence the cover up. Like the returning student that doesn’t have Covid, just a “viral illness”.
I am confused. The police here still do not enforce any traffic laws much less anything else. Why would anyone think they will start now? I will be happily surprised to hear about anyone actually caught and arrested for anything.
If it is not during curfew hours will beating up women and riding illegal motorcycles in groups still be tolerated?
A-holes who beat up their partner, male or female, get arrested.
A-holes on dirt bikes don’t get arrested because of human rights and the difficulty in apprehending said idiots.
Really? Get arrested? Remain to be seen.
Well said @8:30 but how exactly does human rights fall in line with idiots riding unlawfully?
Watch the television? No thanks. Turned that shit off a week ago. Not falling for the mass hysteria.
Mass hysteria – like that of all those dead people in Italy and Spain who didn’t self isolate either. Ostrich.
You’re right. Go on vacation. I hear Italy is beautiful in the spring.
Buy me a ticket and I’ll go.
Everyone is a gangster until they get a lung infection.
Or, in the case of the young party-hearty people, until one of their parents gets a lung infection.
Do what you have to do. Remember also to take a pay cut to help the unfortunate…instead of borrowing.
I understand that there is a curfew from 9:00 pm, but how does that help when you then have to go to work from 7:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Explain that please??????
Read much?….9pm to 5am
Reread the comment and then think about it!
Reading is fundamental. Smdh
Sure. You’ve got 2 hours to get to work and 5 hours to get home after although they can probably manage without you.
Wow. Super stupid.
I don’t understand it either. I sleep from 9-6. I mingle from 8am-8pm.
Really? Can you be that stupid? Read the damn hours and stop asking stupid questions. You sound like those asking the questions at the Press briefings. No wonder they can’t get anything straight. They spend the whole time repeating questions they ask every bloody day at these briefings.
What are you ranting about?
Those questions are therapeutic and Reshma Ragoonath rocks.
Now thats funny…I thought it was just me.
I am not even sure how you have the IQ to be employed
What a joke.
Why is it a joke? It’s for your safety crab
The joke is that people aren’t taking this seriously. The quicker we can stamp this out the quicker things will get back to normal locally. I mean locally – the rest of the world will take longer to sort its S£%t out but we can at least get back to semi-norm.
Unfortunately – Trump’s America is for the birds when dealing with this pandemic and they will be the world’s laggards in stamping this out. As our biggest economic partner/master, we are economically dragged to their low public healthcare standards. This will be a long slow grind for us as Trump plays “Russian Roulette” (!) with (poor) US citizen’s lives………
At what point will the Port Authority Director and RCIPS JMU be telling the canal-anchored live-aboard sailors to shove off?
and all the live aboard sailboats in george town harbor
If they are registered on the Cayman Islands, they have every right to be here. You’ll sure be wanting their registry fees soon enough.
As soon as possible hopefully.
If they have paid Customs duty on the boat and they are legal residents then why should they have to leave, and where are they supposed to go?
They are not residents duh
It’s illegal to live aboard or be found aboard any vessel after dark in the Cayman Islands without a lawful written reason. Ignorance of the law does not constitute a defense. See the Penal code (2018 Revision) section 159 “Rogues and Vagabonds”. Visiting sailors should be tying up at a marina and checking into a hotel for duration of their stay. This is not a new rule.
Tell that’s to the fishermen in prospect
Out to sea, or better yet, home before their borders close.
On their boats, separated and isolated from others by distance and water is much more than most of you posting are doing. In your ignorance you are lashing out at anyone not yourself. Pathetic. And expected.