Pre-arrival COVID test dropped for vaccinated

| 15/05/2021 | 198 Comments
Cayman News Service
PS Isaac Rankine after his vaccine shot

(CNS): Government has issued new regulations regarding the COVID-19 protocols for people returning to the Cayman Islands. The amendments, which were gazetted and implemented on Friday, remove the requirement for a pre-arrival PCR coronavirus test for local residents who are returning to Cayman and have previously been vaccinated by the Health Services Authority. The new rules last until 15 July and exempt hurricane and other emergency shelters from the 500 person and remove prohibitions around carnival-related social events while carnival parades remain restricted.

Travellers coming home with a vaccination card showing that their HSA two-dose course was completed at least two weeks prior to entry will still be tested on arrival but they need not get a test before departing the country they are traveling home from.

Meanwhile 39,792 people, or 61% of the estimated population, have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 52% have completed the two-dose course. Once again the public was reminded that in order to ensure they can be safely vaccinated before supplies expire, people must receive their first shot before 9 June.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee also confirmed that another four people arriving in Cayman at the end of last week tested positive for COVID-19. There are now 16 active cases of the virus among 854 people in quarantine and isolation, none of whom are suffering any symptoms of COVID-19.

All of the current regulations surrounding the remaining Covid-19 restrictions can be found
here and here and here.


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Comments (198)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Simple. Because there are too many unknowns about this virus, it’s various mutations AND the true effects/protection of the vaccines! As for the CDC and their “honour system” and confused messaging … let’s see how that goes into the fall.

  2. Anonymous says:

    152+ whining comments about opening our boarders on an article about removing the requirement for a pre-arrival test; wth?

    “remove(s) the requirement for a pre-arrival PCR coronavirus test for local residents who are returning to Cayman and have previously been vaccinated by the Health Services Authority”

    It states nothing about tourists…

  3. Anonymous says:

    We have about 500 people coming in from the US and Jamaica every week and many of those or returning residents who have had the Pfizer vaccine in Cayman. They are all being testing on arrival and at 10 or 14 days. After 2 months or so HSA will have a sample of over 1000 locally vaccinated people coming back to Cayman after potential exposure to the virus. If none of those vaccinated people test positive on arrival or after 10/14 days then we have some basis for possibly further reducing the quarantine period for locally vaccinated people.

  4. Anonymous says:

    How can we even think of allowing people who claim to have been vaccinated in other countries to come here as tourists when we have no way of telling whether their vaccination certificates are real or fake?

  5. Anonymous says:

    With more than 30,000 people not vaccinated Cayman is basically a near perfect petri dish for the virus to multiply in.

  6. Anonymous says:

    Viruses need food. We have 48% of the population that is not vaccinated or about 30,000 people. That is plenty of virus food. The virus is going to be very happy if we open up any time soon.

    • Anonymous says:

      Or people could take the shot.

    • Anonymous says:

      Yes but that percentage isn’t really going to change because those that wanted to be vaccinated have already been. So unless CIG does something substantial to get more people vaccinated, the borders will be closed for a very long time. Personally I’d be willing to support any of the ideas that I’ve heard – set an opening date, require it for work permits renewals, even pay people but I don’t think government has any such plan. And I doubt dropping the pre-arrival covid test will have much effect on vaccine uptake so it seems we are stuck with these percentages.

  7. Anonymous says:

    There is an informative article in yesterday’s Guardian indicating just how common fake vaccination certificates are. How is government planning on dealing with those if we are thinking of re-opening? Are we going to require certificates that can be instantly verified online by Immigration officials?

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/16/fake-covid-vaccine-and-test-certificate-market-is-growing-researchers-say

    • Anonymous says:

      I wouldn’t worry about this. CIG has no plans to reopen now that we aren’t going to reach 70%. They are too paralyzed with fear to make a decision so it appears we will keep the borders closed for a couple more years while we wait for covid to completely die out worldwide.

  8. Anonymous says:

    We need to keep quarantine and testing until the rest of the world catches up with us. Anybody that does not like that is free to get on a plane or boat and leave.

    • Anonymous says:

      10:20pm: If you don’t like borders opening…..YOU are also “free to get on a plane or boat and leave.”

      Many of us Caymanians are past ready for restrictions to be eased up. If Government is shoving vaccines down everybody’s throats as our saving grace (I agree they are……already proven HIGHLY effective!!) then let fully vaccinated people live without quarantine.

      • Anonymous says:

        We should have a referendum to confirm what Caymanians want. I am Caymanian and fully vaccinated and so is everyone in my family. I do not want the borders open until the vaccination numbers are much better because I do not want Cayman to go back into lockdown when the virus spreads.

        • Anonymous says:

          How do you propose we increase those vaccination numbers? Everyone that wanted to be vaccinated has been. Wether it’s the result of ignorance, misinformation or just carelessness, there is a group of people that refuse. And even if we wanted to just wait around for them to come to their senses, the vaccines that we do have expire soon.

    • Anonymous says:

      Why does that matter if we are only planning to allow vaccinated people in? Unless what you are saying is that the vaccine works and therefore it is safe for vaccinated travellers to arrive without quarantining. You might be on to something because the CDC announced last week that vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks since the risk of them spreading covid is so minimal.

      • Anonymous says:

        I am hoping that fully vaccinated residents and tourists can fly again but how can we tell if incoming travelers have actually been vaccinated or if they bought their vaccination certificate online. How can we tell whether the vaccine they took is as good as Pfizer or whether it is one of the Chinese vaccines that is only about 50% effective?

    • Anonymous says:

      Don’t forget swimming. That is another option and is a healthy activity.

  9. Anonymous says:

    If we have a surplus of vaccines and those that are to expire will simply be thrown away, I would ask the following questions: Would there be any benefit to people that have already had the 2 doses, to have a 3rd?
    Would it cause harm?
    Would if make no difference at all?
    Would further bolster resistance and have a positive value.
    If the 3rd option then might this be better than wasting them?

    • Anonymous says:

      😲🙊🙉🙈🙄
      Why don’t you volunteer to find out. Just take all the remaining shots yourself, so it won’t get wasted.

      People on this rock really lost its minds 😷🤒🤕

      CIG must open Cayman borders ASAP before it turns into one Cuckoo’s Nest.

    • Anonymous says:

      Boosters have not yet been officially declared as necessary.

  10. Anonymous says:

    Anyone who thinks that we can trust foreign vaccination cards is deluding themselves. If you spend 2 minutes online you can find how to buy fake vaccination certificates. It is probably illegal in most countries but it is a huge business. Here is just one story on the subject:

    https://www.2oceansvibe.com/2021/05/03/how-to-get-a-fake-covid-19-vaccine-card/

    • Anonymous says:

      Well, flights been coming in every week from JA and they’re selling fake PCR results over there. Those that have been vaccinated don’t have any great concern with what others have/haven’t done. I am responsible for my own health l, and won’t depend on others to do the right thing, so I got my shots.

    • Anonymous says:

      READ THE ARTICLE:
      “local residents who are returning to Cayman and have previously been vaccinated by the Health Services Authority”

  11. Anonymous says:

    The CDC has stated any person other than those who have had a severe allergic reaction to their first mRNA shot should not receive the 2nd shot. Severe reaction is defined as having to be injected with an eppie pen or hospitalized because of the reaction.
    Everyone else is eligible. So how many people are we talking about here? Zero?

    Your irrational fear or misinformed opinion is not a valid excuse to impose upon others.

    There’s no science to support continued suppression of rights.
    https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/specific-groups/allergies.html

    • Anonymous says:

      Correction on the above comment. The CDC says *only* those who had a severe allergic reaction to the first shot should not receive the second. They list no other medical reasons why anyone else should not receive the vaccine. In short, there are practically no excuses for not getting vaccinated and then complaining that you want the borders to remain closed.

    • Fifi says:

      That doesn’t make sense at all—just because we have vaccine left over,, you don’t just jam more into the same people who already received two doses because you don’t want to waste it. People who are fully vaccinated are fully protected. That’s like eating a piece of ham until you are full, and then eating the rest of an entire ham because you don’t want to “waste it”🙄

  12. Anonymous says:

    52% of the population is fully vaccinated. That is way below herd immunity so if the virus gets in that is about 30,000 people at risk. Keep the borders closed till we get to herd immunity.

    • Anonymous says:

      Tough luck. Vaccines been available for MONTHS! Anyone that hasn’t had it yet, has chosen not to have it so they don’t get a say in re-opening.

    • Anonymous says:

      How will we get to herd immunity if those people are refusing to get vaccinated? We will be closed for years.

    • Anonymous says:

      Or, the remaining people could hurry up and take the shot.

    • Anonymous says:

      Turks & Caicos has been open since last July, long before vaccinations started. Required negative test before arrival, no quarantine. They have capacity restrictions (60% in restaurants, 50% on boats, 11pm curfew and masks indoors) and during the entire time they have had 17 deaths. Currently they have 22 active cases. Their vax rate is 39% 1 shot, 26% both shots.

      Israel with over 9 million people have gone from 10,000 cases and 100 deaths per day to double and single digit positives and fewer than 5 deaths per week. Their vax numbers 60% 1st shot, 56% both shots. If the 30,000 at risk don’t want to be at risk get vaxed or accept the risk, even though the risks are minimal.

  13. Anonymous says:

    Let the people decide. Give them all the facts on the risks and then have a referendum in which Caymanians can vote on whether to open or not. If government opens without giving the people a say and things go badly wrong as has happened in many places the people will NEVER forgive them.

    • Anonymous says:

      6:37 pm: what are you thinking!! public health decisions must be made by public health professionals. Referendums are for political decisions.

      If the thinking is anything like the comments on this site (yours included), God help us.

      • Anonymous says:

        At the moment the government is following the advice of public health experts but some people posting on here are against that and just want things to open even if people die. I agree with allowing the people to decide.

      • Anonymous says:

        Referendums are for anything the public wants to weigh in on.

    • Anonymous says:

      I wonder why we bother to read these frustrating posts by uninformed people. Some of us have been trying to correct misinformation since the start of the pandemic.

      Ok, go ahead and close your eyes. Go ahead and keep listening to Fox News.

      Go ahead and keep babbling nonsense and let the vaccines expire.

      If all you are thinking about is yourself, Where does that leave you? How do you think that will work for you? What are you waiting to hear that will persuade you?

      I give up. And the govt may give up too. Waste of time.

      • Anonymous says:

        How very self righteous and patronising you are. Where would we be without “fact checkers” like you. Thank you for correcting the errors in our “misinformed” ways. Do you consider the WHO, the CDC, official government websites, vaccine websites to be nonsense as well or just Fox. People can watch and gather information from all of these as well as CNN, BBC and many more, yes even Youtube and alternative uncensored websites, to get a balanced view. Maybe you could try it next time you need to “correct misinformation” as we wouldn’t want it to be biased.

  14. Anonymous says:

    I know that quite a few people here for a short time who have no extended family here are keen to open up and earn money from tourists. Most of the rest of us have no benefit from tourism and would prefer that Cayman continues to be a safe place to live and send our children to school. Everyone over 16 in my family is vaccinated but I do not want the borders to open until the rest of the world has this virus under control or some effective treatment is available fore people who can’t take the virus or who could get sick despite the vaccine.

    • Anonymous says:

      6:44pm: Opening the borders is about way more than tourism! So selfish and simple minded to not be able to see that.

      People need to be able to go to their overseas doctors……many many Caymanians travel regularly for treatments that aren’t available on island. Many Caymanians have children away in school that couldn’t even come home for Christmas or Easter because the quarantine took more days than their school break. Many Caymanians have family members living overseas that they would like to go visit but can’t spare another two weeks on top of trip.

      The “rest of the world”, you claim to not have it under control, will end up passing us in vaccination rate and herd immunity because they haven’t stalled out on getting their shots.

  15. Anonymous says:

    Serious question – we know that not all vaccines are the same and that some are ineffective – look at what is happening in Seychelles with the Chinese vaccine. We also know that people can easily get fake vaccination certificates and that we have no way of verifying whether a foreign vaccine certificate is real or fake. So the question is how can we safely open to tourists just because they have a vaccination certificate?

  16. Anonymous says:

    People can buy fake vaccination certificates online for a few dollars. It would be absolutely stupid to accept certificates that we cannot verify at border entry points. Hopefully government is working on joining one of the ‘vaccine passport’ programs that will allow us to open with at least a little bit of safety.

  17. Anonymous says:

    Opinion is obviously divided on matters of opening with some wanting decisions to be based on science and preserving health while others would prefer that opening be based on convenience and personal freedom irrespective of the cost to society. Perhaps the best thing to do is to have a formal government initiated referendum that will allow government to determine what Caymanians actually want.

    • Anonymous says:

      I agree. Why would anyone not like the people to decide?

      • Anonymous says:

        Because the people who vote here would vote in favor of the government continuing to base their decisions on science and protecting the people.

  18. Anon says:

    With the exception of a very small percentage in the vast majority of countries the only risk from the virus is amongst the vulnerable population. Yes the media has made headlines of the exceptions but as has been shown many times in the past the media overhype these cases to “sell stories”. The recent catastrophe in India is no real surprise if the average life span in that country is considered. So as a person who is in the vulnerable group because of age and underlying medical problems I feel I’m more entitled than most to comment on the present situation:
    ‘Follow the science” – what science – so many so called experts have not only flip flopped more times than a fish out of water but have been proven wrong so many times in this present pandemic as well as in the past!
    Quarantines indefinitely – the vast majority will suffer because of the paranoia of the few. The world has gone through several pandemics and history has shown in each case the human race survived by developing immunity whether naturally occurring or aided by vaccines.
    I do not want to live a life in near prison conditions! Compare the results of the totally different approaches to the Pandemic from California, New York and Florida.
    At my time of life time is precious, but it is pointless trying to extended it if the quality of life has gone. The problem is that we have to some degree artificially extended our life span selfishly and in doing so we are killing the very planet we depend on. The countries with the biggest problems and those same countries cause the biggest damage to the planet are the same ones whose population has exploded!
    Let nature take its course, of course get vaccinated and continue with life. And to be totally politically incorrect “grow a pair”!

  19. Sheriff says:

    Oh hell, let’s just continue to live in fear of Covid and keep the border closed for years to come. Honestly, there is ZERO chance we will reopen the border any time soon. I am not saying I like the idea of not opening the border I’m just looking at how the fear of the vaccine and the fear of Covid is controlling so many living here.

    We will be lucky if we can welcome back vaccinated family members by Christmas 2021. It will be a miracle if tourists are allowed to return by the end of 2022. Oh sure we can afford to not have tourists here spending money for another year or two, we will be fine (hope you can read the sarcasm). Let’s just stay closed through 2023…why not?

    • Anonymous says:

      I live in what was a high risk district thru the entire pandemic. I’ve been at work since July at a job where I come in contact with a lot of people close contact. We had a lot of Covid with those who did not follow protocols ( masks, social distance etc). I followed the protocol and remained safe. When someone got Covid that room had to quarantine, but then they returned. Now, we are all vaccinated. We have not had any more cases. Our city numbers have dropped significantly and mandated mask order is being dropped at the end of the month. Our city which was listed as high for a year is now not on the list. With protocols in place in congested areas and with people vaccinated, the pandemic has been basically snuffed out.
      We have never lived in a bubble as it was not possible to do. My job was essential. We were glad to take the vaccination as it could save our lives. Think polio back in the day. Vaccinate and wear a mask in congested areas and enjoy life. Covid is here to stay.

      • Anonymous says:

        Agree. Vaccines are proving their worth! Before that following protocols also worked!

        • My kids have been in school since August….including sports and band. There have been email notices whenever anyone that’s been on campus tests positive. There were no serious illnesses in teachers or students and no clusters of outbreaks just a case here and there. Since vaccines opened to 16+, there have been very few positives at their school. For the last week, 12+ have been getting vaccinated so numbers will continue to decrease.
        • We’ve been out and about including traveling by plane and going to restaurants/stores/sporting events:school plays/movies/school concerts.

        We wore/wear masks and never caught it. My friends/family that have had it (and there were many!) weren’t following protocols.

        Vaccines are readily available here and people are getting them! Cases have been dropping so much in the US that several large chains of stores announced yesterday that masks are not required if fully vaccinated. Our state lifted the mask mandate previously but businesses can still require them.

  20. Anonymous says:

    Lots of people who have been fully vaccinated in Cayman are now traveling overseas. We should keep records of the next 2,000 to return and if none of them test positive on arrival or at 10 or 14 days then and only then should we consider reducing the quarantine for returning residents.

    If it turns out that fully vaccinated residents are returning infected and with the potential to infect others then we should forget allowing people carrying vaccination certificates that we cannot verify to enter without full 14 day quarantine.

  21. Anonymous says:

    We should keep quarantine and testing until either everyone is immune to all variants of Sars-CoV-2 or until there is a pill that rapidly cures the infection with no side effects.

  22. Anonymous says:

    A cautionary tale about the perils of relaxing quarantine out of Taiwan today

    “A worsening coronavirus outbreak in Taiwan has raised urgent questions about how the virus slipped past the island’s “gold standard” defences, and if it can quickly return to a zero-Covid life.

    In 2020, the island state of 24 million people was producing extraordinary numbers: fewer than 1,000 cases, about 90% of them detected in recent arrivals, zero infection leaks from quarantine, a death toll of 12, and 253 days without a single local case.

    On Friday, the numbers turned when health authorities reported 29 local cases, followed by 180 on Saturday, 206 on Sunday, and 333 on Monday. Most are in the north, with large clusters in Taipei city and New Taipei city, where testing stations have reported 10% positivity rates. About 91% of Taiwan’s total local caseload has come in the past four days.

    The outbreak began in late April, connected to flight crews from the national carrier, China Airlines, and a Taoyuan airport Novotel, which was hosting both quarantining flight crews and Taiwanese flight enthusiasts who had booked in as part of a domestic tourism promotion. Both the airline and hotel have since been fined.

    The first cases were reported in two pilots on 20 April. Ten days later, the Central Epidemic Command Centre (CECC) announced an investigation into “the possible risk of transmission” among staff who had quarantined at the Novotel in the previous two weeks. The cases confirmed fears about the government’s decision to steadily relax required quarantine time for flight crews, down to just three days by mid-April with a mandated period of self-monitoring of their health. By the time of the investigation many crew members had checked out and some were later found to have visited public venues while infectious, in breach of the rules.

    Dr Chiou Shu-ti, former health commissioner of Taipei, said authorities were “playing with fire” by relaxing the requirements while being “complacent” with testing of arrivals.”

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/17/how-did-covid-slip-through-taiwans-gold-standard-defences

    • Anonymous says:

      It is of course wise to be aware of developments in the rest of the world. But we do have to wonder how many Taiwanese are vaccinated and, for those who are vaccinated, what are they vaccinated with? Cayman’s vaccinated population is vaccinated with the vaccine with the best efficacy data thus far.

      The UK news reports about the Indian-variant hotspots is interesting as there is strong evidence that those who are being severely impacted are unvaccinated. Young people in those areas were turning out in droves at the weekend for vaccine clinics.

    • Anonymous says:

      Just get a life, please.

    • Anonymous says:

      The article is about relaxing quarantine for vaccinated travellers. The case you refer to has jack to do with vaccinated travellers.

    • Anonymous says:

      I wonder if the pilots were vaccinated and still had to quarantine? Pilots here who are vaccinated no longer have to quarantine. (But they cannot mingle with passengers or get out of the cabin.)

  23. Anonymous says:

    From the Guardian today – information that is relevant to Cayman.

    “The UK’s government said the concern about the spread of the Indian variant was not confined to people unwilling or able to take a vaccine but the risk that people who had received a jab would still be vulnerable.

    In a worst-case scenario, where the Indian variant is far more transmissible than the existing UK strain, prime minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman said: “What we would be talking about then is a situation where not just individuals who are vaccine resistant or vaccine hesitant or those who have not sought out their first jab might catch coronavirus but those who have had the first does or those who have had two doses but for whom vaccine efficacy is reduced.

    “That would then lead to increased hospitalisations and put unsustainable pressure on our NHS. That’s the situation we are attempting to avoid here.”

    • Anonymous says:

      I agree it is highly relevant and all developments like this have to be closely monitored. Let’s also remember though that most of those vaccinated in the UK will have had one dose – and yes in some cases two doses – of AZ not Pfizer. I’m no scientist but the reports so far do indicate that Pfizer is performing best against the original strain and the new variants.

  24. Anonymous says:

    Vaccinated people are being required to quarantine who have almost no chance of transmitting the virus to a population that has the capacity of being fully vaccinated.

    • Anonymous says:

      That would be me and my wife. All vaccinated up and nowhere to go. We had to come to check on our house and arrange repairs after 14 months away, but we will not be back until quarantine is gone. It adds far too much delay, anxiety and uncertainty to travelling.

      • Anonymous says:

        Sorry but until there is a system in place for the verification of overseas vaccine certificates quarantine must stay. There are too many fake vaccination certificates out there.

      • Anonymous says:

        OK then. See you in a couple of years!

      • Anonymous says:

        So we should risk Covid in our community (and loss of human life) so you can come and check on your house without the terrible inconvenience and anxiety of staying in it for 10 days?

        Oh the humanity!

        • Anonymous says:

          The point is that the person has been vaccinated. There is VERY little chance of them spreading covid. Especially since they tested before and on arrival. Even less chance if the people they are interacting with have been vaccinated.

        • Anonymous says:

          Wozza, if we actually got vaccinated we wouldn’t need to worry about fake certificates etc.

          The economy needs tourists and there will be a way to have an industry on a reasonably basis but it is hard to imagine that working if we don’t see more progress on the vaccination rate.

          This all started with flattening the curve and managing a Pandemic. If we wait for virus eradication we may all die of old age before the border re-opens. Should we do the same for influenza as if we had a 80%+ vaccination rate it would definitely be of higher risk.

          • Anonymous says:

            Not everyone can safely take the damn vaccine. Many cannot take the 2nd dose because of bad reactions. So what is the Health Ministry doing to help protect these folks? Their lives matter too. What the government needs to do is issue guidelines for the unvaccinated. Everyone wants to remain safe and not everyone is as selfish as the trolls on here jumping up shouting to hell with the unvaccinated, open borders. I know many people who have not taken and cannot take the vaccine because of their health history. I am seeing the big push to take the vaccine but have heard nothing from government to address the concerns of this segment of our population. Why?

  25. Anonymous says:

    Who cares? Open the damn borders. Didn’t get your free vaccine? Good bad!

  26. Anonymous says:

    Screw the science. Screw the people at risk. Screw the risk to the hospital. Just end the quarantine and open the borders already.

    • Anonymous says:

      I totally disagree with this post but at least you had the honesty to say what others mean when they post rubbish about no need for quarantine or testing.

    • Anonymous says:

      Screw freedom, screw the economy, screw jobs, screw sanity, let’s stay locked down forever.

  27. KT says:

    Reading these comments just shows that Cayman people are living in a bubble. Vaccine or no vaccine it does not make a difference you will or you can still get the virus. So as of this date stated by the FDA and the CDC there is no slowing down the virus are preventing the virus other than you contracting the virus normally not by the vaccine. The so-called vaccine shots will not help because this is still a trial. So guys prepare yourself for more news to come that you will have to get a 3,4,5 shot after the 2 you have received so far. Pfizer has released information that it is possible the vaccine will be a yearly thing. So you have to think about what you are putting in your body. My receiving so many shots the amount of antibodies that you are putting into yourself and RNA is a death sentence do your research people. So opening the country there will be guaranteed cases. So it will depend on how the country handles the situation. And remember none of the so-called vaccines have been approved by the FDA you can search for it yourself. They have been given emergency okay to trial it on everyone (Lab rats).

  28. Anonymous says:

    Dear god, the comments..:ook what these panic brokers have turned the population into. Weak, pitiful and down right pathetic cowards. There is a rather large segment of our population so terrified that now having a vaccine isn’t good enough. ALL risk must be removed. You people don’t realize how spineless and ridiculous you sound and the government is either catering to you or part of that group themselves. It’s disgusting. There are people who will never be safe because of their failing health or underlying conditions and yes respiratory deaths propelled by the flu are included in those risks, always have been. There will never be zero risk. Enough is enough.

    • Anonymous says:

      It’s not courageous to be reckless, especially when it comes to safeguarding the health and welfare of unvaccinated people in the face of a deadly virus that is not a flu You are free to go out and meet the B1.617.2 variant and test your mettle – go for it – bon voyage!

      • Anonymous says:

        First, your smug comment about being free to go is false. Most people have to go to work and don’t have endless time to sit at home upon return to satisfy your hysteria. Second you have zero scientific evidence to suggest that those who are vaccinated pose risk significant enough to warrant house arrest. Third, the comment above does not say Covid-19 is the flu, instead it suggests using similar logic. Respiratory deaths are real, are you going to argue now that risks from the flu be reduced to zero also? Is it reckless to force people into poverty and have them depend on government handouts? Where’s YOUR compassion? Here’s an idea, get vaccinated. If you can’t do that, wear a mask, wash your hands, social distance, avoid crowds, take personal responsibility, or don’t do any of that and live with the 99.9% survival rate if you catch covid.

    • Yeapers says:

      Exactly. The step by step analysis of this “illness” is a constant moving of the goal post that is fueled by hysteria. The first step, lockdown – why? To flatten the curve and not overwhelm the hospitals. Success, empty hospitals.

      Step 2. Mask, social distance, no large group gatherings. why? Because we can still overwhelm the hospitals. Success, empty hospitals.

      Step 3. Now people are getting pissed. You need to wear the mask not to protect yourself, no oh no, you need to wear it to protect the “other guy”. Karen(s) are now out in force to shame their fellow populations.

      Step 4. We will only have to do this until we get a vaccine and it is coming in a few months. Grudgingly – we wait.

      Step 5. We have the vaccine, hooray! Now we can get back to normal. Oh, no no – we have to jab everyone even those who don’t want it before we can get back to normal. We have politely wait while those who do not care about the virus decide that they are less scared of the vaccine. (Add a little more hysteria to keep the ball rolling here…you can still carry the virus if vaccinated!!)

      Step 6. If we get to 60% (or whatever the number is now) for herd immunity then we can open. Go back to step 5 and now for the first time we have a concrete date. The vaccine will expire and June 9 is the last day to start the vaccine regimen. After June 9, anyone want to bet that we will just have wait another month to get a few more doses?

      Step 7. We can’t get to 60% because the children can’t get the shot. Oh well, I hear there is a vaccine coming for the 12 to 15 year-olds. Grudgingly, we will wait.

      Step 8. This is in future at this point. “What about those under 12? How can we open if they aren’t vaccinated? Who could be so heartless to expose the children to an illness that might kill 1 in a (Google search here to find a number to justify continuing restrictions).

      Here is what everyone needs to remember. Keep watching the financial sector, construction, and other industries that will at some point question why they are working in this environment. There will be no need for construction once the people in those industries leave for a country that isn’t so restrictive. CIG can live without the tourist for awhile, but start piling on the revenue lost due to real estate transactions, work permits, and import duties that fill all those offices, condos, and vacation resorts.

      CI will open once CIG runs out of money or they run out of hysteria – which ever comes first.

      • Anonymous says:

        If you desire to leave for a country that is less restrictive just catch a Cayman Airways flight. We have weekly flights to Miami and Kingston and when you land you will have your wish..a less restrictive country.
        As for loosing revenue from real estate sales that is going to occur because of the ‘rich’ environmentalists here campaigning to stop development.

      • Anonymous says:

        Excellent comment! Thank you.

      • Anonymous says:

        You forgot to mention that treatments for covid exist, it is effective and efficient. Even elderly with pre-existing conditions beat it today in 3 days.

        CNS: NYT – Coronavirus Drug and Treatment Tracker

        There is no cure yet for Covid-19. Only one treatment, a drug called remdesivir, has been approved by the F.D.A. for the disease, and research suggests it may provide only a modest benefit to patients. The F.D.A. has granted emergency use authorization to other treatments, some of which have yet to be supported by the results of large-scale, randomized clinical trials. Scientists are also studying a wide range of other potential treatments, but most are still in early stages of research.

        BBC – Coronavirus cure: What progress are we making on treatments?

      • Anonymous says:

        I have risked ( As you put it ) my under 12 year old child continuously over the past 12 months while we travel on and off the island……So who would be heartless…ME I guess you would say.
        Why, because after having covid it was not as bad as the flu that I got in Cayman while the country was closed! Allowing my child to see the world outside of this BS Media and Hype showed them you can live safely and the world is not ending.

        Really this is not the killer with a 30% or 50% death rate.

        I let my child ride a bike in Cayman, there is more chance they will be killed by a drunk driver than COVID in the USA!

    • Anonymous says:

      12.59 Oh courageous one why don’t you take the next BA flight to the UK and find the nearest person known to have the Indian variant and put that courage of yours to the test. Oh and just to show you don’t care who cathes it be sure to take along your parents, children and spouse. Go ahead..make your day.

  29. Anonymous says:

    Regrettably, it should be expected that Cayman will require quarantining arrivals for the for-seeable future, potentially indefinitely. The reason is the fear of the hospitals being unable to handle a serious infection outbreak ,due to the virus being flown in / spread. The hospital capacity situation will drive this requirement. The 2nd impediment is the capacity to provide quarantine accommodation outside of private residences, that will drive the maximum number of arrivals within any given 10 to +15 day period. While being able to show you are vaccinated will minimize these risks , it wont entirely remove the risk. These few obvious limitations will prove to be Caymans ‘Achilles Heel’ in any re-opening plan. If there are any other more optimistic outlooks , I would certainly like to hear the evidence of them .Comments above not intended to disparage the Governments efforts in handling of the current epidemic situation we have here.

    • Anonymous says:

      Probably not indefinitely, but likely in some reasonable form of precaution until the global pandemic is past us all. Variant B1617 is loading up and will be full force around July. It’s hard for some folks to grasp, but all of humanity is dealing with this shitnami, not just the stipend Stingray City boat operators of Grand Cayman. Thankfully, in Cayman, you can just sit back, crack a beer, and read about the horribles happening somewhere else. Be thankful.

  30. Anonymous says:

    My understanding is that vaccinated person can still carry and spread the virus. Surely they should still be quarantined on this basis?

    • Anonymous says:

      These travelers still go into a “needless” quarantine for 10 days. They should be allowed out after the negative arrival PCR, and given a handful of $5 antigen tests to submit over the following 5 days out of an abundance of caution. Fully vaccinated individuals are not the vectors of this disease…yes, even in India. We need to update our inbound criteria in reconciliation of current clinical realities, not cling indefinitely to the uncertainties of 6 months ago.

    • Anonymous says:

      Your understanding is wrong

    • Anonymous says:

      They “can” but it’s highly highly unlikely to catch/transmit once vaccinated.

      • Anonymous says:

        How many vaccinated people who are nevertheless infected does it take to cause community spread, hospitalizations and death if they are released into the community without quarantine? The answer is 1.

        • Anonymous says:

          Vaccinated to vaccinated transmission is very very very unlikely to happen. If you’re so worried, get your damn vaccine like the rest of us have done.

    • Anonymous says:

      Spread the virus to who? Other vaccinated people? Pretty unlikely.

    • Anonymous says:

      They can but the chance is greatly reduced.

    • Anonymous says:

      Your understanding isn’t up to date with the scientific studies. Helps to keep up if you want to be involved.

  31. Anonymous says:

    This is the most ridiculous stance I’ve read…who cares if now it’s only the PCR test on arrival the big issue is quarantine (11 days) ridiculous!! It’s time for PACT to pull up their big panties and make the big decision of A. Those not vaccinated (people who can) by June 9th you are on your own. B. We are going to open July 1 to all vaccinated persons whether returning resident/Caymanian or stay over tourists. C. There will no longer be any quarantine required for any of those folks. D. A PCR test upon arrival or 3 days after arrival (whatever makes the population comfortable with). I realize we have several folks who cannot take the vaccine so we need to ensure they get all the information to keep safe (wear your mask, carry hand sanitizer etc. whatever it takes to keep you living but safe). With saying this our boarders need to open this has been going on way too long and people will need to learn to live in the new norm, trust me by end of the year we will all be saying COVID who. India is in a league of their own and unfortunately due to their unsanitary conditions in the cities the virus will continue to spread unless they can get that under control and their population vaccinated, but we cannot live in fear and wait for this to completely disappear right now.

  32. Anonymous says:

    Such bullshit. When Wayne had Covid running rampant here and we have to go into lockdown, I hope he and his band of misfits will be happy. Never thought I would say this but I miss Alden

    • Anonymous says:

      Only those who are unvaccinated would need to lockdown.

    • Anonymous says:

      Run rampant in who? Lockdown will never happen again. We have the medical capacity to deal with an outbreak and can even perform big funeral services!

      Take the shot.

  33. Anonymous says:

    Eliminating pre-flight PCR testing for returning Caymanians and residents is consistent with the science.

    Reducing the quarantine time to less than 10 days is not. Even reducing the quarantine period from 14 days to 10 days carries a risk. In response to the new variants Hong Kong and Singapore have recently increased the quarantine time to 21 days in order to keep their population safe.

    • Anonymous says:

      Masks are coming off. Things are opening up. Get vaccinated. Live your life.

      • Anonymous says:

        Things are opening up. Vaccination rate is low. Covid will spread. Masks will be back and things will close up. Living will not be taken for granted.

    • Anonymous says:

      Can you explain why 10 is actually 11 and 14 become 15 when going to london is 5 days on pcr negative test no vax and 10 if positive i thiught we went by motherland but looks same as Hong Kong. WHY.

  34. Anonymous says:

    Bermuda has a similar vaccination rate to Cayman, reduced quarantine requirements and this weekend they are burying 2 more Bermudians who died of Covid.

    https://www.gov.bm/articles/covid-19-update-premiers-remarks-13-may-2021

    Quarantine periods must be based on science including the incubation period of the virus and Nothing else. The virus does not negotiate.

  35. Hot topic says:

    Ripe for a discrimination suit if policy is not worded carefully and not implemented fairly, proportionately and reasonably. Yup quarantine remains a hotly debated topic!

  36. Anonymous says:

    2:29 pm, you are 100 % right. Lots of fake things from other Countries. And should NOT Drop the pre Covid test before allowing people to board the plane from foreign countries.

  37. Pro vac says:

    State an opening date. That might wake up the apprehensive . There is no logical reason for vaccinated persons to be forced to quarantine. Give residents a reason to get the jab. freedom.

    • Anonymous says:

      Ummmm – well there is this thing that is called science and another thing called facts. Like the fact that vaccinated people can still carry the virus and infect others.

      • Bandi says:

        you are wrong…look up the research, vaccinated people are unlikely to contract or carry/pass on the virus. If everyone gets vaccinated, the risk would be nearly 0, and if anyone happened to have a ‘breakthrough” case due to low vaccine uptake, the case would be very very mild, the research shows.

      • Anonymous says:

        Such a high risk that in the States a vaccinated person doesn’t even have to wear a mask indoors. Last time I looked CDC had a few scientists providing the basis of their advice – what’s your bases in? The Marl Road? Your late night internet browsing of anti Vaxer website’s? Science and facts, indeed.

  38. Anonymous says:

    Still quarantining after being vaccinated. RIDICULOUS. Am interested to know what health policies they are following. The CDC just released this week that it is safe for vaccinated people to stop wearing mask all together. So your telling me I can sit in an enclosed room with many people without a mask but have to quarantine for days when you travel to a whole Island. If you are not following CDC Guidelines or what your parent country is doing are saying, what guidelines are you following? Now it just seems like Cayman is making their own ridiculous guidelines up out of fear, lack of knowledge, and misinformation. At this point it just looks like your imprisoning your people on island and deterring people from coming to the Island and we all know Cayman is no longer in the financial position to keep this crap better.

    • Anonymous says:

      The guidelines we have have kept Caymanians safe for the past year. The only 2 people that have died caught Covid overseas. Neither the US or the UK can say that even on a per capita basis. I like our rules. And BTW our financial situation is such that we can keep this up until the rest of the planet sorts themselves out.

      • Anonymous says:

        The UK and the US are so different and can not be compared. Just to start Cayman has no large cities with metro systems with millions of riders. In those countries the pandemic started in the winter where everyone was closed inside for months with the heating system on. Both countries had a drop of covid numbers in the summer months. Both countries couldn’t send people back to their original countries during the original lockdown.
        AND no, Cayman’s financial situation can not last till the rest of the planet sorts this all out. That was stated in the press conference. AND, these countries are well on the way to getting their people vaccinated and dropping covid protocols and opening up. Things are rapidly improving in the US and UK.

    • Anonymous says:

      Oh well … turns out the industry never really involved us, so …

    • Anonymous says:

      And not taking the vaccines that the whole world is in need of is not a good look for the island.

  39. Anonymous says:

    This is completely stupid. So basically their giving no incentive to get the vaccine and blocking out any tourism. What a pointless requirement.

  40. Anonymous says:

    The key for cayman when we have vaccinated everyone here and can open to tourists is 1) how we reliably confirm everyone entering has had two jabs of either Pfizer, astra (Oxford) or moderna, and not the Chinese/Russian vaccines for example, as these 3 are proven to work brilliantly and have over 90 per cent protection rates and stop transmission and 2) we can’t make people quarantine if negative test 72 hours before departure or they have been vaccinated or it’s a pointless exercise. Quarantine should not apply to vaccinated arrivals who show a negative test when they arrive for which they can get results in a matter of hours from landing here. Residents of cayman going abroad and returning (who will be vacccinated as only the vaccinated should be allowed on planes) should also not have to quarantine upon re entry to cayman. Then any caymanians or residents who refused a vaccine should have to wear masks in public here and socially distance at all times.

    • Anonymous says:

      The reports this week are that AZ may not work quite as well against B.1.617.1&2, which will become dominant strains in next couple months. Some AZ fully-vaxed are still getting mild symptoms, though not hospitalized per se. B.1.617.2 cases have doubled in the UK in last week, and it is thought it will catch and overtake B.117 by midsummer. The best vaccine passport will probably be the one attesting to Pfizer vaccination. Aren’t we lucky!

  41. Anonymous says:

    CNS said at the end of the article “All of the current regulations surrounding the remaining Covid-19 restrictions can be found here and here.”

    You are missing the third document – the one about removing the requirement for a pre-arrival PCR coronavirus test. It’s on here:
    http://www.gazettes.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/gazhome

    CNS: Thank you! I think I have added the correct link now.

  42. Anonymous says:

    I agree, quarantining vaccinated returning residents is ridiculous. Not allowing vaccinated stay over tourist is ridiculous. Premier Wayne Panton’s policy is ridiculous.

    • Anonymous says:

      It’s great to drop the testing, but who cares if you don’t open up the borders?

    • Annie says:

      Stupid is as stupid does. Or more accurately smart is whatever gets them re-elected. This is not good policy. It is not beneficial for the Island and is a cowards play.

    • Anonymous says:

      Wayne is following the science. Something you are not doing.

    • Anonymous says:

      how much sense is this???? if u r fully vaccinated in cayman no pcr but if for some reason u r vaccinated in the states fully….and caymanian u still need a pcr. why???? aren’t all vaccines the same. doesn’t make any sense at all

  43. Guido Marsupio says:

    Paragraph 7 (Exemptions) of the Gazetted amendment allows exemptions to be granted from the quarantine requirements. Who is eligible for a P7 exemption? Is there an application/request process?

  44. Anonymous says:

    So getting vaccinated cuts your quarantine by 4 days? Gee that’s great…

    • Anonymous says:

      Getting vaccinated significantly reduces your risk of getting sick and passing on the virus.

      Take the shot.

  45. Anonymous says:

    Quarantine for previously HSA vaccinated needs to be reduced to 5/6 days from the current 11/15 days.

    • Anonymous says:

      Quarantine needs to go completely for those who are vaccinated.

      • Anonymous says:

        And reintroduce the virus to Cayman? You are not following the news or the science, are you?

        • Anonymous says:

          Are you?

        • Anonymous says:

          Cayman needs a nice round of the virus to give people a wake up and go get the shots.

          Will we stay closed for two-three years? It’s going to be around for a while, the vaccine will reduce the symptoms, take the shot.

    • Anonymous says:

      Quarantine should be eliminated if test negative on arrival AND are already fully vaccinated for at least two weeks.

    • Anonymous says:

      It needs to be eliminated totally. There is no scientific evidence that vaccinated people pose the type of risk necessary to force people into house arrest. It’s insane.

      • Anonymous says:

        There’s emerging news and studies that AZ is not bulletproof against B1617, but not necessarily hospitalizing folks either. Probably just sufficiently ill to pose a transmission risk in the short term. Not a lot of data on Pfizer yet, save for some lab bench studies that performed slightly better. The UK, Europe, Asia, and USA will be testing this out in real-time over the next couple months…eventually enough people will either be (a) vaccinated, (b) dead, (c) have post-recovery antibodies of some flavor, or (d) hiding out successfully somewhere, like in the beautiful Cayman Islands.

      • Anonymous says:

        Seychelles?

  46. NotASheep says:

    None of whom are suffering any symptoms of COVID-19.

    Yet we remain locked down in fear, how many traffic deaths since lockdown one, yet the roads remain. Living life comes with risk, no we better understand Covid and the vaccine and have control measures in place. Let us start living again, while of course managing the risk. It’s just part of life.

    • Anonymous says:

      Because you can still catch and transmit Covid while vaccinated. Being vaccinated means you won’t get really sick and die from Covid but you can still catch it.

  47. Anonymous says:

    Why do residents returning have to quarantine for 10 days still if vaccinated? Ridiculous

    • Anonymous says:

      Vaccine doesn’t prevent spread 100%, it prevents for getting symptoms or becoming ill but, while reducing the viral charge in your system if you get infected, you can still spread the virus.

      • Anonymous says:

        It is highly unlikely that a vaccinated person will spread covid. That is why the CDC recently said that vaccinated people do not need to wear masks indoors or outdoors.

    • Annie says:

      Because our Government is run my ill educated people.

    • Anonymous says:

      Ummm. …. because being vaccinated does not prevent you from catching and transmitting the virus? It prevents you from experiencing severe illness if you catch it. It does not provide absolute immunity.

      The level of ignorance is more than astounding. It is frightening.

    • Anonymous says:

      Because you dummy just because you get vaccinated doesn’t mean you cannot get covid still. You can also transmit it to other people. What the hell is wrong with you? Get educated and read about it and stop making idiotic comments. 🙄🙄

      • Anonymous says:

        Wrong

      • Anonymois says:

        Nonsense. I can guarantee o have a deeper understanding than you on this subject matter and with two jabs of Pfizer or AstraZeneca the chances of spreading COVID are next to nil. Quarantine is not necessary and not required for vaccinated arrivals in other countries who have far more capable people than those running cayman policy

        • Anonymous says:

          Rubbish. Seychelles has a higher vaccination rate than Cayman and they are now having to go into shutdown because they relaxed quarantine. Not all vaccines are equal and there are too many people traveling using fake vaccination certificates.

          • Anonymous says:

            Because they had the half-ass Chinese vaccines. If Cayman limits quarantine exemption to those fully vaccinated with Pfizer, Moderna, J&J, Astro Zeneca…..we’ll be fine. Any other vaccine or unvaccinated should require quarantine.

        • Anonymous says:

          Until the risk is nil, we choose to maintain quarantine.

    • Anon says:

      See the EUA Pfizer vaccine Fact Sheet. Being vaccinated does not provide the trust and confidence it was built up to be by the UK etc. Vaccinated individuals can still be infected and be symptomatic and the duration of ‘protective’ immunity is unknown.

      They just might not need to be hospitalized or have very severe symptoms. This does not mean that they should not seek early treatment when they exhibit symptoms because early treatment provides a much better prognosis.

      On this basis and to enable re-opening perhaps no one should have to quarantine unless they are exhibiting symptoms or have vulnerable contacts or have been confirmed through other methods that they have an concerning infection (relying on PCR tests alone – well this has always been yielding false positives).

      This brings us to another important point what is the Health Ministry and Health Department’s policy on early treatment for all….

  48. Anonymous says:

    Why does this exclude residents vaccinated overseas who have CDC vaccination cards? Patients who were away for weeks of medical treatment?

    • Anonymous says:

      I assumed for vetting purposes? I assume the logic is anyone can forge a vaccination card from other countries but they (govt) know their own (?).

    • Anonymous says:

      The U.K. provided the vaccine but those vaccinated in the U.K. don’t qualify for this exemption? Surely the BA staff checking in passengers at Heathrow will more easily recognise the NHS card than the HSA one!!?!?

    • Anonymous says:

      Exactly! HSA thinks they’re the only ones that can give a damn vaccine! Caymanians vaccinated elsewhere are getting screwed.

      I agree that removal of the pre-test requirement should only apply to the vaccines that have proven to be highly successful (Pfizer, Moderna, J&J) and not the half-ass Chinese vaccines.

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