Isolation cut to 5 days but population error skews vaccine rate

| 16/06/2021 | 295 Comments
Cayman News Service
Premier Wayne Panton at Wednesday’s press briefing

(CNS): Government has announced a reduction in the quarantine time from ten days down to five for people who have had an approved, verifiable COVID-19 vaccine, starting next week. The requirement for a pre-arrival negative coronavirus PCR test has been reinstated but travellers no longer need to get tested upon arrival at the airport.

Government is also facing a recalculation on vaccine-generated herd immunity after a review of the population revealed that the estimate has been off by more 6,000 (up from around 65,000 to 71,100). This means that at least another 10,000 people will now need to be vaccinated before Cayman passes the rate of 70%, the very minimum protection needed before the borders can reopen.

Less than 24 hours after the PACT Government was criticised by the opposition for failing to address the country on its plans for reopening, Premier Wayne Panton began outlining those very plans for the coming months and the gradual lifting of border restrictions, culminating in a fully reopened border at the end of October. He explained that the press conference was delayed by a week because of new medical and public health data and the issues surrounding the population numbers.

But as he thanked them for their concern, he told his former PPM colleagues that the PACT Government “has got this”.

Dismissing the criticisms by the opposition, Panton pointed out that reopening was a more difficult and challenging proposition from locking down. He said the aim of his government was to ensure a safe, prudent, responsible, organised and certain reopening that would not need to be reversed. He stressed that government was going to be led by the data and not dates and had a plan that he was confident struck the right balance between health and safety and the need to restart tourism.

Panton said that, given the need to vaccinate even more people than anticipated because of the incorrect population estimates and the danger of reopening before reaching herd immunity, the rollout towards fully open borders for high season had to be managed properly. He said he expected to allow a limited return of visitors sometime in mid-September, when they would be allowing the return of some commercial flights.

The premier explained that he did not think setting an opening date of 1 September, the date suggested by the opposition, was wise given how close that was to the start of the academic year, when a significant number of students and teachers will be returning. However, later that month the country could expect to see the first tourists allowed into the country.

In the short-term, he said, government remained focused on getting the vaccination numbers up. With the revelation that so many more people need to be vaccinated to reach the minimum required level of herd immunity, he said the 10,000 additional people was the least number. Ideally they would need some 17,000 people to reach 80% of the now revised population estimate of 71,100 and more certain protection, especially given that the majority of the remaining 20% will be children and those not able to be vaccinated because of medical reasons.

British Airways is expected to bring 12,000 more doses this evening (Wednesday), but Governor Martyn Roper confirmed that more would obviously be required, given the change in the population estimate. He said his office has not yet asked for additional vaccines and will not do so until they see the take-up of this new supply.

Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan announced another prize draw for everyone who has been vaccinated, and this time it’s for cash. He said he was reaching out to the business community to help him raise up to $100,000 to fund a number of significant cash prizes in order to reach the new and greatly increased numbers to make reopening safe.

Meanwhile, the government also announced a number of other key changes. From 1 July those entering Cayman on non-essential travel who are not able to isolate at home will be required to pay to use the government quarantine facilities. Health Minister Sabrina Turner said the cost is around $2,800 for two weeks. But there will no charge for the home residency isolation programme.

The government team confirmed that the pension contribution holiday will be extended to the end of this year. They also said that the stipends for tourism workers would continue until at least the end of October, but government plans to survey recipients to review everyone’s circumstances.

The programme covering insurance premiums of unemployed and furloughed workers in the sector will also be extended for another three months, but those receiving or who would like to receive the help are being asked to apply or re-apply for that assistance to the Health Insurance Commission before the end of this month.

See the full press briefing below on CIGTV:


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Comments (295)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Do the math and you will find that the the threshold for vaccination (Vc) required to achieve herd immunity is FAR larger than 70% and significantly larger than 80%

    For those of you who prefer to do their own figgerin’, the simple algebraic equation is:
    Vc = (1 – 1/R0) / E
    Where Vc = critical vaccination level, which refers to the proportion of the population that must be
    vaccinated to achieve the threshold of herd immunity.
    R0 = basic reproduction number, which refers to the number of transmissions or secondary cases generated by a typical infectious person when the rest of the population is susceptible.
    R can change over time (becoming variable Rt) as a result of immunity due to infection in the population and
    infection control measures. R0 for Delta is given as being between 6 and 8 depending on the data used. Let’s be optimistic and use 6 which is the approximate mean R0 that many researchers are now claiming.
    E = number representing % vaccine effectiveness against transmission. NOTE: Effectiveness (E)is best taken from the real world number rather than reported “clinical efficacy” from clinical trials. But, let’s be nicely optimistic and use 90.
    Done tha math yet? What did you come up with class?
    (Hint: Keep PEMDAS in mind and you should be ok.)
    Mind you, this is not corrected for the variable population over time or the increased risk imposed by opening up the borders to imported infections, nor do we involve the time variable(Rt)or consider the waning effectiveness of the vax over time. Those coupled formulae involve calculus and a bit of extensive ‘splainin to use properly. However, I would think that the Premier and the Minister of Health CAN and DO fully understand the math involved, else they are tapping a while cane while being led by their handlers, all the while singing a tune taught them by their handlers.

  2. Anonymous says:

    What a load of XXXXX. Really! So completely disgusted. Open up now. Follow science. There is zero science supporting a 5 day quarantine. And our Government knows it. This is just pandering to the uneducated voter base. Show me one, just one study supporting this moronic decision! Just one! A- holes. Just want a cheque.

    • Anonymous says:

      Ok. Let’s “follw science”.
      A very good study on COVID-19 estimates 5.1 days for incubation period and is consistent with many such sgtudies. I give this as an example.
      (NOTE: This was published BEOFRE Delta, which has a shorter incubation period. However, longer incubation period strains are still around. Thus, from the science: the 5-day isolation seems a tad too short as 5.1 days is the MEDIAN time between exposure to onset of symptoms that enhance spreading of virions.)

      The Study: “Median time from exposure to symptoms affirms earlier estimates and supports CDC’s current 14-day quarantine period”
      Date: March 10, 2020
      Source: Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health
      Summary: An analysis of publicly available data on infections from the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, that causes the respiratory illness COVID-19 yielded an estimate of 5.1 days for the median disease incubation period.

  3. Anonymous says:

    The UK will announce plans for the 3rd booster vaccination to begin in autumn. Anyone wish to bet we will then go under a requirement that 80% of the population must have #3 jab before the borders can be considered to open?

  4. Anonymous says:

    Anyone vaccinated should be able to get on with their lives. Introduce regular testing when they return from abroad, but there is no need to quarantine. The science says this.

    • Anonymous says:

      Dr. Lee doesn’t care about “the science”, as was recently proven in court.

    • Anonymous says:

      “The science” indicates that the propensity of C19 to mutate validates a need to quarantine to protect an otherwise isolated population from importing new and poorly understood strains that may be resistant to current vaccines. Many top epidemiologists accept that it is no longer If but When a far more resistant variant will pop up.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Serious question – I understand that some US states will not allow cruise ships leaving US ports to require proof of vaccination. Is there going to be a similar problem with flights on US carriers or is the Travel Time permission to board going to circumvent that issue?

    • Sheriff says:

      A cruise ship registered in the US sailing from the US is governed by US/State laws. This is completely different than a country having specific entry requirements in place. Travel Time will circumvent any issues with pre-arrival requirements as it stands to reason everyone wishing to enter Cayman will continue to be required to be granted permission to travel once they upload a negative covid test 72 hours before arrival and provide proof of vaccination.

      • Edwin bozeman says:

        No cruise ships are registered in the USA

        • Anonymous says:

          Correct – most cruise ships sailing out of Miami are registered in the Bahamas or other offshore jurisdiction

      • Anonymous says:

        Remember to factor in the whole big ol’ bunch of passengers who will have gone ashore in earlier port of call and exposed to reinfection in those places. We are not among the first ports of call on the itinerary of most cruise ship arriving here. Delta has a shorter incubation period than earlier strains which places an additional wild card in the deck.

    • Anonymous says:

      Get a life! Sometime Ignorance is bliss.

    • Annie says:

      Florida governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation preventing businesses from requiring (or even asking about) vaccination status. That is what was causing the issue with cruise ships; as the CDC was requiring a Minimum of 95% vaccination for eligible passengers and staff. As for air travel, although most airports are not Federally owned, they must abide by FAA regulations in reality. There are all sorts of financial and practical reasons too long to get into. FAA is Federal, so still expect to need testing to enter the States from an international destination, at least legally enter.

  6. Anonymous says:

    It would be interesting to see how the population numbers change with the usual cyclical visitors leaving after the ‘winter’ season. I don’t know anyone who likes July/August/September weather!

  7. Moderna for life says:

    I’ve always said follow the science, follow medical professionals best advice. Where did they even get the 5 day quarantine period for fully vaxxed? Is this based on any science or a whim?.

    If they are quarantining for 10-14 days and retesting that is at least grounded in how the virus runs it’s course and can be spread by symptomatic or asymptomatic people. The 5 day vaxxed quarantine makes no sense really at all. Either trust the vaccines and lift the quarantines for vaxxed or keep quarantine and test system. This in between is silly.

    • Anonymous says:

      You must over 65 trusting in science and medical professionals.

      The independent peer reviewed scientific studies or the double blind medical trials don’t exist anymore. Doctors today are licensed drug-dealers. I’d rather trust my 90 years old great grandma.

      • Anonymous says:

        Yes, it’s better to watch YouTube videos and listen to online scam artists and nut jobs for information. They know a lot more than the stupid scientists, right?

    • Anonymous says:

      Keep in mind that the percentage of people that have been vaccinated and still get the virus is not revealed often in the everyday news.

  8. Anonymous says:

    Well you must have a fairly small circle that you talk to regularly. The vast majoirty of people I speak to want to get the opening up started asap, albeit in a controlled manner with fully vaccinated people not having to quarantine for a start.

    There is simply no excuse or reason to make the quarantine 5 days for vaccinated people. That was a classic example of kicking the can down the road from Wayne yesterday.

    • Anonymous says:

      Agree! Everyone I talked to is pissed off it’s taken this long! Many have already lost or are about to lose their businesses and are trying to figure out how to survive.

      • Anonymous says:

        One of the advantages of living in a getting all ones information from within a silo is that you don’t have to listen to people or information that you disagree with.

  9. Anonymous says:

    CNS–could you clarify exactly what PACT means by “an approved, verifiable COVID-19 vaccine,” and that CBCP will accept a valid CDC vaccine care from the USA? This is not a frivlous question, as there has already been suspicious about fraudulent cards other than HSA. When I returned after medical treatment last month and presented my CDC card the CBP agent asked “what is this?” which worried me. They finally accepted it but really…this should not be a concern for travelers having to prove their card is real.

    • Anonymous says:

      The government doesn’t know!

    • Anonymous says:

      Actually it should be because many in the US are getting fraudulent vaccination cards done up.

      • Anonymous says:

        And you know this…how? Facebook?

        • Anonymous says:

          Simply do a news search using the terms “fraudulent vaccination cards usa” and you would have to be brain dead not to be concerned by the ever increasing black market in fake vax cards. As with any criminal activity, the reported investigations and arrests are just the tip of the iceberg.

    • Anonymous says:

      17/06 @ 4:19 pm. – Thanks for sharing this experience. But if you’re familiar with Cayman’s public service system you wouldn’t be surprised. One hand does not know what the other is doing, there is very little inter-departmental communication and coordination. I know this from working 40 years in the “system”. So it’s a stretch to expect that any CIG department would be familiar with foreign documentation – especially during the international confusion regarding vaccine cards. But amongst the moron departments CBP perhaps takes the cake, so it’s not surprising to me that the agent had no clue.

      You’re fortunate that he/she actually finally accepted your CDC card instead of ordering you to go get an HSA vaccine or card! They like to display their authority.

      But, with all the worldwide confusion about vaccine cards/passports and the moronic views and mish-mash laws issued by some US States and some countries, imagine the concern that holders of HSA vaccine cards have when travelling overseas.

  10. Anonymous says:

    British Airways just announced that 4 pilots recently died. XXXX

    CNS: Fact Check-British Airways is not in ‘crisis talks’ with the government over vaccinated pilots

    • Anonymous says:

      Source(s)?

      • Anon says:

        Repeating a lie doesn’t make it eventually true. The problem is, people are generally lazy when it comes to research, they like to be spoon fed(unless it has to do with shopping or gossip), regardless if the information can save their lives. Which category do you fall in: lazy or self sufficient?

    • Anonymous says:

      Its the alien lizard people – they have taken over Cayman – RUN RUN RUN for your lives!!!!! WTF dude??

    • Anonymous says:

      You speak rubbish.
      Prove your information!

      • Anon says:

        A little reading, logical deducing and mathematical understanding goes a long way. Try it for yourself.

        History have proven that being on the side of the majority isn’t necessarily right. Hitler, slavery, wars, previous inoculations, the previous us elections have proven this..shall I go on? Go read and investigate, use some brain power

        • Anonymous says:

          All fine and good, except for the fact that “right” often has a historical time frame. What was deemed a-ok perfectly right in a certain bygone era may be deemed taboo by today’s standards. Social mores are in a constant state of flux. The concept of right also has a cultural perspective. People very often lose sight of this.

      • Anonymous says:

        Or you could not be lazy and do your own research. The information is out there but be an ostrich and stick your head in the sand. Works for them.

  11. Anonymous says:

    Change to five day quarantine for vaccinated people is welcome news. That said, we need to modestly increase the number of Cayman Airways flights. I just found out a family member is very ill and there are no seats for 12 days. Certainly 99% of us can’t afford to book a private jet. I have no problem quarantining to keep covid out but I feel like a prisoner here. This has now gone on too long.

    • Anonymous says:

      Boohoo, book your flight in 12 days. Goodness me, such first world problems. “We don’t have enough flights for my liking”

    • Anonymous says:

      That’s just it! Reducing quarantine to 5 days offers NO benefit since flights are damn near impossible to get. Without an increase in flights, there is no change in privilege.

    • anon says:

      3.42pm Are you by any chance a civil servant?.

  12. Anonymous says:

    Apparently the people in quarantine now, who will have done more than 5 days by the time the 5-day period comes in, will still have to stay in until the end of their 10th day.

    Seems pretty illogical to me.

    • Anonymous says:

      Are you challenged or have you just been asleep for over a year? The new regulation needs to be gazetted in order to come into effect next week. Those in quarantine will just have to suck it up, read a book, learn something. Smh, what an entitled bunch.

      • Anonymous says:

        Govt. could have been added to the new regulations to allow those fully vaccinated and having completed 5 days would also qualify. The lack of logic and planning by government doesn’t make 3:20 entitled; it makes our leadership’s lack of leadership glaring.

  13. Anonymous says:

    Mr. Premier you say PACT “has got this”. Please admit that your press conference yesterday wouldn’t have been called if PPM hadn’t called you out the day before.

    Every day reveals more of your and your Govt’s amateurism, quite disappointing, because some people actually had faith in you – not so much your team.

    Anyway, you “got this” so we’ll see!

    • anonymous says:

      Can anyone tell me what the reason for the 5 day quarantine is for those fully vaccinated. Hasn’t science indicated that if fully vaccinated then you are protected against having significant issues if you do get Covid and it reduces the likelihood of getting it. IT has also been stated that those vaccinated are unlikely to spread the disease as well. The 5 days will still drift into 7 considering the day you arrive and the testing day are added on. Those vaccinated have done all the right things and having a 5 day period makes no scientific sense.

  14. Anonymous says:

    $100,000 in cash prizes?

    They couldn’t even follow through with the free whopper. Was told they had run out
    Forget about vaccines a whopper shortage is the real pandemic!

  15. Anonymous says:

    To outsider’s it’s been looking for quite some time that CIG has been stringing you all along for months. Vaccines coming in dribs and drabs yet they haven’t tried to order extra doses from other suppliers? UK has announced under 18s won’t be vaccinated so won’t be sending doses for kids in BOTs, or they’ll have some explaining to do to their tax payers who are footing the bill for this. I wonder if they know that people are being bribed with prize draws to get vaccinated, this would be classed as an inexcusable breach of ethics!

    • Anonymous says:

      Good grief what are you on about? The vaccines did not come in dribs and drabs – we had a good supply and were lucky that we eventually used what we had. The governor also said that they weren’t ordering more until this next batch was used. They also said they are going to be vaccinating 12-15 year olds here. And as for using prizes, the UK may very well end up doing something similar once everyone who wants to be vaccinated is in order to reach herd immunity. It’s happening in a number of countries, not just here.

      • Anonymous says:

        Yes but I’m other countries EVERYONE who was vaccinated goes in for the prize draw.

      • Anonymous says:

        The governor can’t “order” vaccines, they are not a commercial commodity in the UK. CIG has always been free to source vaccines themselves from other countries and pay for them, but they haven’t – what does that tell you about their commitment to the programme, exactly? The UK also won’t be vaccinating 12 – 15 years olds, so is unlikely to provide these for children in overseas territories.

        It would be illegal as well as highly unethical to offer financial incentives for people to be vaccinated in the UK. This is how developed countries operate.

        • Anonymous says:

          They are offering financial incentives in parts of the US and Canada but those probably don’t fit your definition of “developed” countries anyway. Although I do seem to remember that back in March the UK considered making vaccines mandatory for pubs so maybe pints would be more acceptable to you.

          I totally get why Caymanians sometimes tell people to go home if they are not happy here now.

  16. anon says:

    Mr Panton needs to stop sniping at the opposition and give us a date for the release of his “Plan” there is no excuse for not doing this, he has done little else apart from reducing quarantine to 7 actual days.

  17. Anonymous says:

    So all of a sudden they “know” our population?!? Yeah right! One excuse after another to stay closed.

  18. Robert Mugabe IV says:

    Plan?? What plan!

    ..” government remained focused on getting the vaccination numbers up.”
    When you have to coerce or bribe the population with raffles and prizes to get vaccinated it doesn’t say a lot about the governments Plan. That’s not a plan, it’s a hope.

    It also says everything about the thought process in someone’s head who would be influenced by the chance of a cash prize or cheeseburger to change their mind in what they previously believed. Scary stuff.

    ……..” and more certain protection”
    Wow, Wayne believes certain protection is possible.
    Scarier stuff.

  19. Anonymous says:

    “Occupied” series on Netflix:
    Season 1 Episode 7, 15:47

    Norway PM:
    “I’am looking for a vision. That’s the point of being PM. Not simply running like some smooth machine, wrapping up everything nicely. You’re becoming dangerous, smooth machine with no clue what our vision is. And that is lethal in situation like this.”

    Political Scandinavian-Russian noir at its best. Brilliant yet chilling plot. Environment and energy crises. Highly recommend! Mr.Panton must watch to learn how to be a politician.

    • Anonymous says:

      No Cayman leaders were visionaries. Ever. Late Bo Miller was a visionary. Sadly, he died too young. He died from CANCER! Still Cayman society believes that proposed WtE plant is a good thing. Cancer rates will triple as well as congenital disorders.

  20. Anonymous says:

    Will there be a quarantine change for families travelling with children too young to get a vaccine?

    • Anonymous says:

      Nope. They want to control us until everyone of their woters is satisfied.

    • Anonymous says:

      They were clear in the press briefing: NO.

    • Anonymous says:

      Having children is a choice. Life is full of choices.

    • Anonymous says:

      The statement from travel time is that people who have children too young for vaccines will quarantine for the full 14 days as well the family with them. Basically, the lowest common denominator is how long the family will quarantine, whoever needs the longest quarantine is how long they will all stay in quarantine, so in total it will be 16 days, with your first day being zero and not counting, and then your last saving the day after your final PCR test as you wait for your results for 24 to 48 hours

  21. Anonymous says:

    The voting public would never forgive a government that took a reckless approach to open the borders. Both the previous and the current government know that.

    • Anonymous says:

      Government is screwed either way. There will always be a block of voters who will be unhappy with whatever way they go.

  22. Anonymous says:

    The only place that has successfully fully opened without having to go back into lockdown of some form is Gibraltar which has more than 90% of its population fully vaccinated.

    • Anonymous says:

      They rock.

    • Anonymous says:

      The United States. Florida in particular was never in a lockdown.

      • Anonymous says:

        Right – perfect example – no one got Covid in Florida either – Just have to have faith in an orange idiot.

      • Anonymous says:

        Only 600,000 dead too.

        • Anonymous says:

          Once people got vaccinated the numbers in the US dropped significantly.
          Cayman had close to 600 Covid cases, but just didn’t report them the same as most. . Most jurisdictions counted those in quarantine as cases. Cayman did not.

          • Anonymous says:

            Yes they did and still are.

          • Anonymous says:

            2:59 are you dumb? Our “cases” were those who came here in quarantine. We did not have 600 cases in our open community. Our numbers only increased because we were including those coming in to the island

            • Anonymous says:

              Those cases still belong to your island. My city is a travel hub and every case counts whether someone comes off a plane with covid and goes into quarantine or got it in the community or even just went to our city hospital to get the diagnosis. See why our city numbers were so high? We counted everyone. If they went into quarantine in our jurisdiction- that number fell upon us. We didn’t say, oh, they were travelers, oh, they lived in the next community, they were expats, they were …..they got the covid diagnosis in our community, we got the number.
              BTW- I am not dumb- I actually am quite educated. 🙂 Different places do things differently.

    • STX says:

      Where in the hell did you hear that? US states have been open and are opening. I haven’t heard of a single one locking back down. But I don’t live in one that keeps pissing their pants every time someone sneezes. So I might be wrong.

    • Anonymous says:

      Very few places were ever even in lockdown!!!

      • Anonymous says:

        Revisionist history. You must be a Trumpet.

      • Anonymous says:

        At all times, grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies were open. Some businesses remained open through out. Some schools closed for a short period of time and opened back up with mask/social distancing restrictions and other schools remained remote for most of the school year. Stores, gyms and restaurants opened early with restrictions in most areas. Currently, in most states everything is open. People are getting vaccinated and the covid numbers are dropping dramatically. Masks are really a thing of the past except in a very few places such as hospitals and airports. In the US, people are basically back to living pre covid. Covid hit the larger cities the worst which was probably due to the high population/living situation and also transportation where people are gathered closely together.
        The US is, for the most part, getting back to living and traveling and enjoying life.

  23. Anonymous says:

    It may not be a popular thing to say in this forum but the vast majority of people who vote here support the policy of putting people before profits. They also support government taking a cautious approach to re-opening.

    • Anonymous says:

      Remind me what percentage of the electorate is in the civil service and has therefore experienced no economic impact from the border closure?

    • Anonymous says:

      So your saying that the vast majority of people (who work and get paid by CIG) support the policy of keeping those who do not work for CIG out of work because they would make profits? Asking for an educated friend. Many reasons for not doing anything and caution is just on of them.

  24. Anon says:

    The virtue signalling of this government – and the last – is wearying. “We must protect the vulnerable in our society!” This is a difficult statement to publicly deride.

    However – the ‘vulnerable’ are made up of: our children (the demographic least impacted by this illness); those with chronic illnesses who are medically advised not to take the vaccine (surely this is a relatively small number vis a vis the newly expanded 71k population? AND a group who surely practise sheltering measures, to protect the remnants of their fragile health,regardless of Covid) and the adults, not medically absolved from protecting the herd, who have determined not to take the vaccine.

    Let’s also not forget that there are more successful and approved treatments available for those unfortunate enough – or irresponsible enough to become seriously sick from Covid.

    And so we continue on with borders closed. With the majority subjected to lives on hold, overseas friends and families unseen, adventures unexplored – to protect the vulnerable. Where the most vulnerable are – for all intents and purposes – the selfish, whose right to not vaccinate, we must now all support through continued tolerance of restrictions.

    I can readily think of other members of our society who are far more deserving of being protected, whose rights should be upheld and who should be supported by our community.

    • Anonymous says:

      The research demonstrates that COVID-19 is affecting the mental health of children and adolescents and that depression and anxiety are prevalent.

      The Impact of Social Isolation and Loneliness on the Mental Health of Children and Adolescents in the Context of COVID-19. Clinical services should offer preventive support and early intervention where possible and be prepared for an increase in mental health problems.

      Not a word from Mr.Panton about protection of mental health of CHILDREN 👶👧🏻🧒🏼👦.

      CNS: The children here have had a normal life since last September. The mental health issue affects kids still in lockdown or just coming out. If you were actually in the Cayman Islands you would be aware of this.

      • Anonymous says:

        Thank you CNS – I am tired of the nonsense of trying to use the normal lives our children now live as a reason to turn the virus loose in our country.

      • Anonymous says:

        They may not be depressed or anxious, but I’m pretty sure those Cayman residents with families and close friends overseas are being negatively impacted by not (easily) being able to see them. Their horizons are also being narrowed.

        • Anonymous says:

          Let’s remember they CHOSE to move far away from their families or to have a child far away from their family. I miss my family too, but these are the things one needs to be aware of when making life choices. Some of them suck to be sure, but I made the choice, so no other is to blame but me, as I can always decide to move back home to be closer to family.

          • Anonymous says:

            I’m so sick of this bs rhetoric. We all live on planet earth and are allowed to go where we want to go. Get over yourself.

  25. Anonymous says:

    Interesting story in the Guardian today supporting the need for vaccination –

    “Previous infection with coronavirus does not necessarily protect against Covid in the longer term, especially when caused by new variants of concern, a study on healthcare workers suggests.

    Researchers at Oxford University found marked differences in the immune responses of medical staff who contracted Covid, with some appearing far better equipped than others to combat the disease six months later.

    Scientists on the study, conducted with the UK Coronavirus Immunology Consortium, said the findings reinforced the importance of everyone getting vaccinated regardless of whether they had been infected with the virus earlier in the pandemic.”

  26. Anonymous says:

    Didnt Dr Lee disclose that 5 persons who tested positive were FULLY vaccinated? So how does removing testing or quarantine of vaccinated persons ensure that we dont import cases, create community spread and end up reverting to full lockdown like last year?

    • Anonymous says:

      Pretty sure he said that three of them had received the shitty Chinese vaccine.

    • Anonymous says:

      Dr. Lee and his overtesting = positive results.

      Know of at least one person that “tested positive” in Cayman, was subsequently tested overseas (due to ongoing medical treatment) for current and prior infection and was found to have NEVER had an infection.

  27. Where's me card? says:

    Anyone know if you can get a copy of the Vaccine Card if lost? Asking for a friend 😉

    • Anonymous says:

      There’s a template online.

      • Anonymous says:

        The penalty for those being caught with fake vaccination cards should include a mandatory minimum of 2 years imprisonment and banned from ever entering the Cayman Islands. A robust verification program should be implemented and overseen via ongoing audits conducted by the highly credentialed and independent Internal Audit Service. Implement a robust program and open up to the vaccinated only. It can be done and it’s a critical necessity.

      • Where's me card? says:

        Link?

    • Anonymous says:

      10:21 You and people like you are the reason why there is hesitation and concern about lifting quarantine. One bad apple always ruining it for the bunch.

  28. ELVIS says:

    So no one knew how many people actually lived here?

    • Anonymous says:

      I did; but I kept it quiet.

    • Anonymous says:

      They still don’t have even the slightest clue. This revised figure is solely to support their oppression intentions going forward.

    • Anonymous says:

      They still don’t know. Making shit up to avoid opening.

    • Anonymous says:

      Correct, although I would argue it’s irrelevant. What if we have another 4,000 stay over visitors arrive tomorrow (subject to airlift!), or 4,000 leave after their winter break. We have about 65,000 long term residents of Cayman, with a +/- 10,000 depending on the time of year.

    • Anonymous says:

      Well, there was no census done for over 10 years..Why the PPM chose to use numbers from 10 years ago escapes me?

      • Anonymous says:

        Because they have nothing else to work off ( you realize they only monitor the numbers of visitors, expats and work permit holders on a recurring basis- the number of Caymanians is only counted every 10 years).

        • Anonymous says:

          Should have had the census in 2020 as scheduled. PPM bragged nonstop about being the reason Cayman was safe in a Covid-free bubble. Therefore, it was perfectly safe to do census.

  29. Anonymous says:

    This is the epitome of a shite show

  30. Anonymous says:

    Very disappointing press conference. The elections ended two months ago, so it’s past time to simply state what you have to say without peppering every prepared speech with the type of snide remarks directed at PPM which drew applause at the campaign rallies. It’s time to let it go and govern.

    Wayne says PACT have been working on a reopening plan for six weeks and it still isn’t completed. Are you trying to produce a thesis for Roy Bodden and Frank McField to debate and write a book about? Seventy-five percent of your Cabinet has reached herd immunity with the attention span of a fruit fly, so the only thing they, and your supporters, can understand is a single-page pamphlet colour-coded with small pictures and dates. How difficult is that?

  31. SpeakUp says:

    Might be time for tourism businesses to protest. It seems the government has no regard for the hardship they continue to force upon tourism businesses. Even if you take hotels out of the equation there are plenty of restaurants, water sports and shops suffering with no light at the end of the tunnel. Those voices need to be heard! What will this place look like when those businesses are forced to close their doors.

    • Anonymous says:

      Stop whinging. Tourism worldwide has been affected. Blame Wuhan, not the government putting safety first.

      • Say it like it is. says:

        10.13am The government and all the SAGC’s are NOT suffering, not a single layoff, no paycuts and some able to sit at home doing nothing on full pay.

      • SpeakUp says:

        @10:13, no whining involved, simply stating facts. Yes, tourism has been damaged across the world but other places have figured out how to sustain tourism by allowing visitors to return. At this point, CIG has given no hope to any of our tourism businesses…just the same old “wait a little longer and we will see how things go and maybe share a plan with you in a few weeks” song and dance. I am not in tourism but I know many people who are and they are not in a good place right now. They deserve to know what this government has in mind, they can’t prepare to welcome back tourists without a solid and transparent plan in place.

        Safety is one thing but continuing to set new goals for vaccination numbers, ones that will likely be impossible to meet is irresponsible and unacceptable. Tourism businesses deserve better.

        The lack of a plan has most likely already caused the loss of high season 2021. Who is going to plan a trip here when they don’t know if they will be able to visit without being in quarantine for most of their trip? If there is any hope of 2022 returning to any form of tourism this government had better get it together and share its plan. Otherwise, come October and November when people start planning those spring break trips for March and April, Grand Cayman will not be on their radar.

        • Anonymous says:

          Yes, people are vacationing elsewhere and have been for almost a year. We’ve lost many of our repeat visitors to other destinations that figured out how to reopen and not have a health crisis.

    • Anonymous says:

      They should probably allow another pension draw since there is no definitive plan and I doubt ppl will be headed here in droves even when we do open. Allow another draw but cap it at $10k (KYD).

    • Anonymous says:

      It is time for rational minded persons to protest.

      • Anonymous says:

        Go ahead and crowd you fools. That’s how covid is spread easily. Then we’ll go right back into lockdown.
        Damn morons “OPEN THE BORDER BLAH BLAH” Remember you’re living in a pandemic and you can thank China for that.

    • Anonymous says:

      My family and many others have taken the decision to support local restaurants under the present circumstances. If we start importing potentially infected tourists that will end.

  32. Anonymous says:

    PACT is going to have to drop the quarantine or only allow vaccinated travelers to arrive in Cayman for one reason. there is no way if American, United, Delta or other airlines start flights daily into Cayman with say, an average of 150 passengers per flight that Travel Cayman
    can keep track of all of them. They’ve already admitted they can’t do PCR testing on arrival. There aren’t enough government facilities to accommodate the travelers even if you isolate at your rental property. The plan is no plan at this point.

    • Anonymous says:

      AA, United and Delta are busy right now flying elsewhere. All over the lower 48 states and Alaska/Hawaii , the Caribbean territories that are open, scant European flights at present. Under the current regime we have just read by PACT, it would be virtually impossible for these airlines to make Cayman a destination again. Canada is still closed largely, so what U.S. travelers that are able to fly are doing so closer to home for vacation & trips in 2021. This year can be considered OUT for any sensible travel to & from Cayman, by other commercial carriers, perhaps by mid 2022 . The real concern is the hotels and tourism industry here will be well good and finished by then.

    • Anonymous says:

      Only allowing vaccinated travelers and having no quarantine for them is the only thing that makes sense!

    • Robert Mugabe IV says:

      The only way forward is to open up fully. 99% of tourists will not come if they have to quarantine. The numbers are simple, even if they wanted to quarantine there will be no place to put them.
      Tourism industry needs to open up now.

      Open up, whether everyone is vaccinated or nobody is vaccinated it does not change the demographic of who are most at risk.

  33. Anonymous says:

    The numbers are all over the place. The latest numbers on vaccination levels I can see are 45,700. 70% of 71,100 is 49,770, a difference of 4,070 needed. 80% of 71,100 is 56,800 – a difference of 11,180.

    The biggest issue is 65,000 a real number based on anything, is 71,100 a real number based on anything? We may have picked up 5,000 (?) temporary residents, but we have also lost a number of workers. Travel Cayman requires a choice of ‘resident’ or ‘vacation home owner’, surely they could get some numbers from those submissions?

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