Roper: Isolation breaches complex but system works
(CNS): Some of the quarantine and isolation breaches that are being investigated by the RCIPS “are quite complex” as people’s situations are very different, Governor Martyn Roper said during Thursday’s press briefing. He asked for people to be patient and have faith in the system, and that where there is evidence of a breach, people will be charged. But the system itself was working, Roper said, and there were very few cases of concern.
In addition to the two well documented cases that did end in prosecution — the Canadian couple fined just $1,000 each after they were convicted before the penalties changed, and Skylar Mack and VJ Ramgeet, who were sent to jail for two months — CNS is aware of at least a dozen other cases.
Some of these have been officially acknowledged by the RCIPS and they are said to be under investigation, while others are reports that we are aware have been made but have been unable to verify if they were taken up by the authorities.
Given that thousands of people have been through the quarantine and isolation system since October, the number of issues remains low. Cayman has not seen a case of community transmission since the system was introduced, despite the continued arrival of travellers carrying the coronavirus.
On Thursday officials reported another five new positive cases but all of Friday’s results were negative. There are currently 35 active cases of the virus among the 736 people in isolation and quarantine, and six of those people are suffering symptoms.
Roper said that Cayman had done incredibly well because the systems are working. He said people need to have confidence and not make it out to be worse than it is.
With the confirmed arrival of some travellers with the more infectious UK variants of COVID-19, Premier Alden McLaughlin said Travel Cayman was constantly refining the system but it was very robust.
“There will always be glitches so long as humans are involved,” he said. “But they have done remarkably well,” he said, adding that since “a certain case” — referring to Mack and Ramgeet — there had been a few further breaches. However, since that case, CNS has received several accounts from the public who have observed verified breaches of isolation and seen officers attending at reported breach locations.
There also remains a persistent perception by the public, as was the case in lockdown, that some people seem to be able to buck the system, while others are feeling the full extent of the law.
Category: Health, Medical Health
What is so complex about willfully breaking the law? They need to stop pussyfooting around and aggressively prosecute those who cannot abide by the rules. The community has sacrificed a lot to get to where we are now, no one should be given a pass by risking the health of the community. Smh, they full of crap.
It should take no longer than 3 days to move these cases.
• Was person supposed to be in quarantine? Yes.
• Did person leave quarantine? Yes.
• “You are sentenced to 2 yrs and $10,000”.
Easy peasy.
Hypocrisy that they haven’t swiftly prosecuted the young man who breached quarantine twice – even climbing out his bedroom window to go to the bar and gym. Just as bad as Skyler. He should be given proportional punishment NOW!
He should receive the maximum custodial sentence AND maximum fine….for EACH breach! He had two separate breaches’
governor…whats ur opinion of convicted women beaters being able to hold office and face no sanction under your watch???
Iffen it was a Jamaican or a Phillipino who had broken quarantine … the entire island would want to deport them so fast … but … we know the “nationality” of the quarantine breakers …
Roper Alden”s Nurse Bottle holder! Nuff said
I am somewhat disappointed with some of the statements being made by Mr. Roper. If Mr. Roper wants the public to have confidence that the systems are working as they should he needs to be more open and transparent with the public.
TCFPSU
T too
C Complicated
F For
P Private Sector
U Understanding
They are doing a fantastic job. In isolation at home and these folks are all ears and action to improve anything brought to their attention or to benefit the system. All praises for travel time. Grateful
You are the same fool that pretends that government is useful.
I have 2 words for you 🤐 off.
STFU
Some
Things
Fart
Underwater
The case of the covid positive quarantine breacher who went to the gym and Cotton Club MUST be dealt with and an update MUST be given to the public. Caymanians do not want two sets of rules, or even the perception of two sets of rules. Caymanians and those who love Cayman don’t care that he is reportedly the son of a senior Civil Servant. We want equal treatment for all and we want an update.
This is HORRIBLE! The very idea that someone did this no matter who they were and are not being punished makes all the rest of the work and the sacrifices seem not worth it. Stop the BS and tell the public who it was and how you are dealing with it. It only takes one to create a crisis on the island!
It does. And apparently there is more than 1 – according to the press there at least 6 cases so far where there has been no resolution or reference to the DPP
Govna, you doing a fine job with Covid ol’ boy. Trust that our next Government will find ways to work with you.
Cant we just use the Government termite infested house (just west of Theda Bodden’s in the Bight area, Cayman Brac) for quarantine violators.
If the house is good enough for Cuban refugees it should be good enough for those who recklessly endanger the Cayman public by violating quarantine protocols.
And if sent to Brac, just what the heck is there to do over there?
Think about it this Government has a few vacant buildings on Brac including the never seems to be finished Hurricane Hilton/school/hospital/multi purpose building adjacent to the FIFA pitch on the bluff (now there is an ideal quarantine location).
Lastly, bear with me, what about completely renting out the Alexander Hotel for quarantine purposes? Or rent the Cayman Brac Beach Resort (Brac Reef)? Or rent any place in Little Cayman?
And you are all welcome for my astute observations and suggestions, no charge for this free consulting M0$e$.
On the Brac and Little we are doing what we are supposed to do to protect our islands. It seems that the only perpetrators of breaking protocol are on Grand so KEEP THEM OVER THERE until people there get the message!
1.43 Don’t worry JuJu will protect you.
Faith in which System Mista Roper!The one that is bringing the unemployed from elsewhere to get work whilst our government pays them stipends and gives Caymanians NICE temporary cleanup work to make it look good for them .The same system that was allowing them to get vaccinated First before the elderly and was only changed after we raised concerns.Yes Mr Roper we must have faith in the alleged no corruption system that seems to work quite well for you and our political elite and their wealthy foreign friends. We have faith in Jesus only not in in you nor your SYSTEM !
Thank you 10:43, glad someone else is like minded.
So what happened to the man who reportedly broke out of both government and home quarantine?
Same thing as happened to the trainer who broke lockdown with a Minister’s wife, is my guess.
If you have to ask. He was protected under the entitlement act. They are not under the same laws.
“people’s situations are very different…” Indeed they are. There are those that are connected, and those that are not. If you seriously want anyone to believe that line, Governor, why don’t you explain how they are different to the point that the man in the street can understand why the decision is not taken to prosecute. You can anonymize them, so that’s no excuse, but otherwise people will simply assume the answer is influence, pure and simple, and by defending it you look like you are either complicit or blind.
A decision was taken not to prosecute? News to me
Well given they have said sweet FA on the subject anything would be news to you or me. Let me put it another way – there is NO announcement that there is a decision to prosecute, or even that a file has been referred to the DPP. It doesn’t exactly seem a difficult case to investigate and make a determination, so what do you think the silence means? At least in Trainergate we were told there was a referral and a decision.
He is working on getting elected Speaker of the House.
Foreigners pay the price and locals get away scott free…you’ll see. No Caymanian (except Ramjeet) will get jail time for a breach of quarantine…the locals have satisfied their bloodlust for now.
Complex? He’ll no! Differing circumstances mean NOTHING! The rules for quarantine are cut and dry. Breaches of quarantine are therefore cut and dry.
Prosecution needs to be SWIFT in every one of these breaches.
What happening about the 19 year old man that broke his quarantine/ isolation twice ? and said to have been tested positive with covid 19 ?
CS Friends & Family Club strikes again!
#worldclass
Ask yourself this. Why would the government deliberately not punish a quarantine breaker unless there were circumstances we are not aware of ? So you really believe the Government just goes around letting people
Break the law. Clearly there is more to it and it’s being investigated. Calm down.
Probably a software glitch. Or maybe it was the consultants fault
How long does it freaking take? World class, my backside. Skylar Mack was arrested, prosecuted, convicted, appealed to the court of appeal, was sentenced, served her sentence, was released, and required to leave the jurisdiction, and left, in less time that this investigation is taking.
Yes, WHAT!!!?
It seems the only breaches of self quarantine have been those reported by members of the public – so much for the close supervision by TravelCayman. Worse,these breaches are reported and nothing happens.