Travellers need to justify journeys

| 20/07/2021 | 339 Comments
Cayman News Service
Cayman Airways staff arrive wearing face-masks (Photo by Paul Tibbetts)

(CNS): Anyone travelling overseas and returning to Cayman will now need to justify their reasons for travel, Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan said during Finance Committee Monday, after reminding the community that the borders remain closed until at least 9 September. Flights coming in and out of the country are still for essential journeys only and not to enable people to take a vacation.

Bryan said that anyone who needs to travel over the summer should contact Cayman Airways so that the demand can be properly assessed and decisions made about adding flights. But he asked people to outline and demonstrate the reasons for travel, noting that these are still repatriation flights to get students to and from school or for people to get medical treatment.

As he sought the approval of MPs for budgetary changes in his ministry, including a request for an additional $27.5 million to cover the tourism stipends that had not been allocated by the previous government, he asked for another CI$7 million for Cayman Airways to cover their losses during the border closure.

Bryan said that there were long waiting lists for flights because people were not detailing why they needed to travel and because the government had not previously required proof of their circumstances, hoping they would be adhering to the rules.

But given the number of people wanting to fly now, it could no longer be a matter of trust. He said the airline now needed to confirm that the current significant demand is from those who meet the criteria of essential travel so that those who do meet the rules don’t lose out to people going on vacation.

“We have a long list of persons requesting flights,” he said, pointing to a recent waiting list of 800 people. “Because we haven’t asked people to prove their circumstances… they have taken up all the seats… We are trying our best to manage the need or the want from many people who want to travel for vacation purposes against those who need to travel for medical or educational reasons.”

Bryan also confirmed that currently the flights are all determined as repatriation flights and none were set aside for business travel either. Going forward, he explained, the policy would be adhered to more strictly and travellers will be required to demonstrate the reason for their travel. While the option of business travel could be added, at this point it is reserved for education and medical reasons only. But Bryan spoke about the pressure on the Cayman Airways team and the need to juggle the reasons why people want to travel.

But he said that “we are almost there”, regarding the opening of the borders, and in the meantime Cayman Airways and the Travel Cayman teams would do their best to ensure that everyone who needs to travel can get a flight.


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Comments (339)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    If CAL isn’t adding the necessary flights, more folks will just organise their own private charters. A Boeing 737-300 has 147 seats and can be chartered from Miami for $5,800-7,800 per hour, or about $40-55 per person per hour, excluding landing fees and taxes. Plane would be full in both directions. It would not be rocket science to undercut the gov’t airline on airfare, while also getting people moving as they should be. Large company HR depts should already have companies like Evojets on their speed dial for employee hurricane logistics. It’s a hungry and competitive industry.

    • Anonymous says:

      Once again- what is the difference if a local leaves the island and then returns or if a tourist visits the island and then leaves ( if both are vaccinated)?

  2. Anonymous says:

    Come on people we are dividing the country, the vulnerable have gotten their jabs already, those who want to already did, those refusing already made their decision.
    The decision to open the country rest with the government, they should set the date.
    Until then we should all enjoy this Covid free country and live and be happy.

  3. Anonymous says:

    It’s bad enough that their whole reopening plan is contingent on convincing people who refuse to get vaccinated to do so. This means vaccinated people have to contend with limited, expensive flight options for the foreseeable future. But now they want to take even that away from vaccinated people who are willing and able to quarantine.

    I understand now why people feel like they are being held hostage by the people refusing to get vaccinated. Although perhaps it’s more to do with PACT. They just don’t seem capable. And at this rate, I highly doubt the borders will open this year at all.

  4. Anonymous says:

    I was stupid for thinking PACT would be any different from our previous governments. Just the same old all talk and no action, only this time the government seems to think this is a communist country and they can take away our freedoms whenever they feel like it!

  5. Anonymous says:

    And Kenneth Bryan is currently standing making a statement and givibg out reusable water bottles in Parliament! WTF!

    • Anonymous says:

      And a few days ago on the Marl Road TCHT show the Minister of Health said they had been very busy on other matters (SPS, finance committee, ..) so they had not come up with a plan to increase the vaccination rate. She said she was sure KB would have a plan soon.

      What could be more important than opening the border!

      • Anonymous says:

        She actually sounds worse than Jon Jon then if that’s possible. What a stupid thing to think, let alone say! And she’s the Minister of Health – shouldn’t she also be concerned with, you know, people’s health????

        And KB sounded like he’d be more suited to planning a high school dance than the vaccination rollout necessary to getting Cayman’s economy back on track. Hopefully he’s getting help from someone.

        Amateur hour indeed!

      • Anonymous says:

        Giving out water bottles and ‘Speaker of House’ complaining he didn’t get one! Guess his was still been filled with flavoured water! And all had great fun!

  6. Anonymous says:

    For those still on the vaccine fence. From a tweet from Scott Gottlieb, MD @ScottGottliebMD

    Covid cases continue to rise sharply in UK as Delta sweeps through, but hospitalizations and deaths continue to be decoupled from the rising spread when viewed relative to similar points in other waves of infection — reflecting protection of most vulnerable through vaccination.

    Chart:

    https://twitter.com/ScottGottliebMD/status/1417568933830406152/photo/1

    • STX says:

      I will add that I have been one of those “I’ll wait until I am sure the vaccine is safe” people. However, me and I wife have been battling the Delta variant for the 10 days (6 for me). I will say if I had the chance for do-overs I would have taken the vaccine. I was more scared of the vaccine and was sure that because we were in such good health that we could easily ride through a bout of Corona.

      This virus will squash your health and even if you are not hospitalized the number of days of being ill is just torture (think of Groundhog Day – you just keep waking up sick day after miserable day). I am fully expecting that I will recover (hopefully) but it will take me 2 to 3 weeks for me to reclaim my health. Add that to the 10 plus days of actual illness and the entire month is shot.

      Additionally no one wants to be around you, its hard to do just the most routine tasks, and the weakness seems to just set into your bones. I am a very active person, always outside, always working to stay fit and this illness is just a wreaking ball. And I have had some very serious illnesses through my life. While this one isn’t extremely aggressive it is extremely constant and long lived.

      I don’t think I will change any minds here. But please be prepared for 10 to 16 days of hell if you get it. The vaccine won’t stop it outright but it will keep you from suffering like me and my spouse.

      I say it every day now when I wake up – This is the stupidest thing I have done.

    • Anonymous says:

      Yes, please get vaccinated if you can. No one likes needles, but it is worth it. A quick 5-second pinch. I was nervous the morning as I went to the airport for my jab….but it was nothing. Very friendly people checking IDs, helping fill out the form, and had a good chat with the nurse who jabbed me.

      Afterwards I thought to myself, what was I so worried about?

      Thinking about something beforehand is often much worse than the actual experience. Human nature. Rather than dwell in the what will/if, it is best to not overthink things and confront one’s fears. Nice words, and I know they are true, but I stepped up and got jabbed today (rationally, I know I needed to do this, but kept deferring)…. Im having a good day now :).

      But Im just one jab. My story, a 40-year-old vaccine-hesitant person. I encourage others to come forward — you will feel better afterwards.

      • Anonymous says:

        Please stop asking people to get vaccinated. They will not. It is far better to demand that government listen to the majority of persons! But then again, is that the majority of the population? Or the majority of the voters? Given Jamaican construction workers are being blamed for not being vaccinated, one might deduce that most Caymanians are vaccinated. Right? No way government is catering to Jamaican construction workers. So really, who isn’t getting vaccinated?

      • Anonymous says:

        Thank you for sharing your story. I hope it helps someone.

    • Anonymous says:

      go away with your links and searches

  7. Anonymous says:

    Nicole Saphier, MD
    @NBSaphierMD
    ·

    The significantly greater viral loads in patients infected by the Delta variant are sending younger people to the hospital. While severe outcomes still remain rare, if you have been on the fence about getting vaccinated, talk to your MD, now might be the right time for you.

  8. Anonymous says:

    Hey PACT! Can you please let the public know what the plan is once we start getting cases in the community again? Once we open up we are accepting that there will be some community spread. Are we all good, given the “80%” vaccination rate we’ll be at? Or will you freak out and put us in another lockdown?

    What happens when one kid at one school tests positive? Do nothing? Isolate the class? Or overreact and close ALL schools down island wide? And then what? Unless you make it illegal for parents to go to work or nannies to work well schools are closed, I can promise you that only one caregiver will be staying home to do homeschooling as NO ONE wants to go back to doing that again. And how would you even enforce this unless the entire island is under a curfew?

    What happens at he hospital? If staff need to isolate after potential exposure, we won’t have anyone left to see non-COVID patients.

    Are masks (UGH!) coming back? Outdoor dining only? Social distancing? The people deserve to know what the plan is. Oh wait, has anyone in government considered this yet?

  9. Anonymous says:

    This weeks Cabinet record:

    Issue 1 – What to do about the many people desperate to travel for medical/education/family reasons.

    Resolved – We will give ourselves another raise.

    Issue 2 – No member was able to think of any facing other issue facing the country.

    Resolved – End the meeting.

  10. Anonymous says:

    Most Caymanians hold multiple passports. CIG cannot stop a US Citizen from returning to the US or a UK citizen from returning to the UK. Same with work permit holders…unless CIG makes it a condition that such work permit will be cancelled.

    • Anonymous says:

      I really think your understanding of law is slim to say the least. Try working in the middle east where you are restricted on how far you are allowed to travel from your accommodation and work place.
      Your US passport only has rights in the US not in Cayman.

      • Anonymous says:

        Cayman Airways flight is repatriation flight arranged in conjunction with the US….so CIG cannot stop US passport holders from leaving.

  11. Anonymous says:

    KB’s only apparent priority is to stay popular within his district – to hell with the rest of the country.

    • Anonymous says:

      It is pretty easy if you can hand out enough mobile top-ups. Still can’t believe he beat out Marco in the election before last.

  12. Anonymous says:

    Kenneth Bryan is an idiot. Property owners and close relatives of residents have been able to travel to Cayman since last October. But now we are only able to travel to return to school or for medical reasons. That means there will be empty planes after schools starts back up. And this after giving Cayman airlines millions of dollars.

  13. Anonymous says:

    Does anybody know how we can get a competent government without having to wait another 3.8 years?

  14. Anonymous says:

    It turns out that yesterday, rather than putting any effort into sorting out the travel/vaccination rate/general incompetence of government issues facing the country, they met in Parliament and voted themselves a nice pay rise.

    Clearly the P in PACT is as much a falsehood as are the A, C, and T – this is not a government that is motivated by problems facing our people

  15. Anonymous says:

    Well said minister and plain common sense. My wife needs to get to Miami for life saving cancer treatment and cannot get a flight until September. The wait is terrible.

    • Anonymous says:

      There definitely needs to be more flights.

    • Anonymous says:

      They simply need to add a few more flights a week. Problem solved. Why is this so difficult?

      We have a returning quarantine and testing protocol upon return, what is the issue with adding more flights? I dont get it.

    • Anonymous says:

      who in the world downvoted 9:29?????

    • Anonymous says:

      What happened to humanity, sorry to hear your plight, keep the pressure on KB and travel time, one post even brsggi g again about going for weekend. Quite disgusting. Do hope you and your wife will be ok. Prayers for you.

      • Anonymous says:

        The problem is that even if a seat becomes available through a cancellation, it is impossible to schedule surgery and follow-ups at very short notice. That is why we had to wait until September

    • Anonymous says:

      Perhaps the poster bragging about weekend to go Walmart have a conscience and give you their seat(s).

      • Anonymous says:

        Perhaps Mr Bryan will roll one of our unused 737 Max’s out of the hanger and flight crew off their couch and put on a couple of extra flights? Add a couple of hundred extra seats rather than a handful?

  16. Anonymous says:

    Today Italy announced that it was joining the group of sensible countries that will require proof of vaccination for entry into enclosed public spaces.

    That is what our government should be doing rather than coming up with arbitrary rules restricting the movement of fully vaccinated people.

    • Caymanian says:

      They still need test people.

      You can still contract Delta variant even vaccinated the symptoms are just milder but you can pass it on to others who if unvaccinated can show serious symptoms.

      We are entering very dangerous territory here and all the progress we have made can disappear overnight.

      • LongTime says:

        10:20 am – Our status of being covid free in the community is not in jeopardy. CIG has made it clear they have no intention of reopening until sometime in 2022. Their plan is set up to fail and the delta variant will give them yet another reason to restrict travel for residents and visitors. So you have no need to worry about the progress we’ve made disappearing overnight.

        I do not like the plan, I do not agree with staying closed until 2022 but that seems to be the REAL plan. And when we do open covid will be in the community. Covid is not going away. We have to find a way to live with it and stop running from it…sooner or later it WILL be on these shores and not just in visitors in quarantine. We can’t sit here in this bubble and wait until covid is irradicated. If we do we will be here a VERY LONG TIME.

  17. Anonymous says:

    The number of comments here show that KB has hit a real nerve in our community. Comments like this from KB show how deluded and out of touch government is on this issue. There is a lack of empathy for anyone who isn’t “them”.
    We are now clearly heading for a showdown between the majority who are vaccinated and want things to reopen and a stubborn minority who are against opening and will keep things in the status quo by refusing to be vaccinated.
    The only solution is to set a date for reopening. If there are vaccines available and people refuse to take them, that is their problem.
    As soon as it becomes clear that things will reopen then the vast majority will jump onto the vaccine bandwagon. Until then we are being held hostage but a small minority who refuse to recognize the world is reopening.

    • Anonymous says:

      You got me at “a stubborn minority”…

    • Anonymous says:

      Put on extra flights for resdents, how difficult for KB and government. Oh, do less now after payrise!

    • Anonymous says:

      @9:03 you’re talking too much common and its not so common anymore.

    • Anonymous says:

      Or maybe we could tattoo a symbol on the hands of the vaccinated? you know, a permanent way to identify those people who meet the vaccination criteria.

      Where have I heard something like this before….

      Ya’all crazy.

      Sincerely,
      The stubborn minority

      • Anonymous says:

        To the stubborn minority
        Do you tattoo someone when they get a flu shot or anyone who gets all the standard vaccine shots when they are a kid? No. So why would you say this here apart from try to make a political point when there is nothing else you can say?
        If you really want the best reason to get vaccinated please see the story today of the Alabama doctor urging people to get vaccinated. She recounts how many people dying of Covid want the vaccine and she has to tell them “it’s too late”. It’s a very sobering read and it’s an excellent example of why everyone who is eligible, should get vaccinated as soon as they can.

  18. 👹 says:

    How many years Robinson Crusoe managed on uninhibited island? 28?

    He describes his island as a “dreadful place, out of the reach of humane kind, out of all hope of relief or prospect of redemption”. It is a “dismal unfortunate island, which I call’d the Island of Despair”.

  19. Anonymous says:

    So a jolly to Tokyo (currently in a state of emergency)for a large group is “essential travel”? I’d like to see them try stop me going for Walmart and BT’s weekend in Miami.

  20. Anonymous says:

    Time for Cubans teach Caymanians how to reach the US on dilapidated “boats”.

  21. Anonymous says:

    So, Caymanians and residents need to JUSTIFY leaving Cayman for a vacation.

    But tourists DO NOT need to justify entering Cayman for a vacation??!!

    Total BS on the part of the Ministry and CAL for residents “justify” their need to travel

    • Anonymous says:

      BUT, tourists still have to quarantine, correct? Ridiculous. Everyone should be able to come and go, no matter who, as long as they are vaxxed.

  22. Anonymous says:

    Meanwhile, Lord of the Flies shit breaking out all around us.

  23. Islandgirl@gmail.com says:

    I hope Kenneth understands that legally he cannot stop anyone from traveling. The PACT are nothing but Dr. Lee’s puppets. When our Health Care community is silenced to speak out and we actually have Epidemiologists on island to help the government with guiding on the reopening but they refuse we have an issue. When the Government does not even include or speaks to CITA to work together for a smart reopening we have an issue. When the Government changes the percentage to an unrealistic number we have an issue. Follow the pattern…not good. Who are they protecting, the minority that’s who. I get it, we need to protect the little guys (children) and those that absolutely cannot take the vaccine (very few) and that can be done. However, those that opt not to get vaccinated should NOT be dictating how the rest of us live. The island can open in September safely and without restrictions (vaccinated only entry). Anyone who is vaccinated present something to prove they have been, sign the declaration and if it turns out to be false (don’t see someone taking that risk) then a hefty fine $100,000 plus deportation. We need to face reality and understand COVID will never go away!! Those who are choosing not to get vaccinated that can, hopefully are seeing what’s happening with the Delta virus in the states 98% affected are unvaccinated (fact).

    • Anonymous says:

      Kenneth can put up illegal billboards advertising himself, so why could he not stop you from doing what you want?

    • Anonymous says:

      You give Dr. Lee far too much credit. His actions in the Dr.’s Express case lead me to believe if anyone was a puppet it is the good Dr.

      Although if you are found to have given false testimony to the Court I’m not sure if you should still be called good.

      • anon against ignorance says:

        1.01pm He was pressured by a Caymanian, his record on Covid saved us all. Please go back to bed and stay there!.

  24. Anonymous says:

    You think the government is in control freak mode

    • Anonymous says:

      Give them a break – they are trying to slow things down to the point that they might be able to comprehend the issues – ie stop everything.

  25. Anonymous says:

    Who the hell thought it was a good idea to make Kenneth Bryan a Miniter?

  26. Anonymous says:

    People are not seeing the wood for the trees here. There is no chance the borders return to normal any time soon regardless of vaccines being 50% or 100% of population.

    We are being led by Dr Lee and the Governor, nobody else is deciding what is going on. They’ve decided to lock us up and sit and watch it all play out globally

    You want change? Demand to see FOI on communications between these 2

  27. Anonymous says:

    When is PACT going to update us on verficiation of the USA’s CDC vaccination cards? This is ridiculous and no one from US will think about coming here when and if borders open if they have to quarantine for 10 days..or quarantine at all. We look like ignorant fools in the international community, rejecting all CDC cards as possible fakes.

    • Sam says:

      I did note on the re-opening plan that beginning in phase 4 starting Nov 18th the word “securely vaccinated” was omitted and it just says “vaccinated”. It is possible that this is a way of limiting the earlier phases without getting into the whole nationality issue.

      Dr Lee certainly can surf the internet and knows damn well the US is never going to have vaccine verification which is why everywhere else in the world accepts a paper card as well. This way he can say with a straight face – “well it appears that the US won’t implement secure vaccination proof after-all so we will can drop that requirement”

    • MAINEevent says:

      We have a piece of paper showing that we have received the required dosage. A few personal details, such as name, address, location where the vaccine was administered. No elaborate, federal/local issuance of a “CDC card” or vaccination passport here.

  28. Anonymous says:

    I am changing my tune.

    It’s clear that there will be widespread panic amongst the unvaccinated when community transmission begins again.

    I think the best course of action is just to roll up the sidewalks and settle in under the coconut tree for another 18 months.

    The panic and lockdowns that will ensue if a vaccinated asymptomatic individual infects other vaccinated individuals who also prove to asymptomatic resulting in oh… A bunch of people who are not ill.

    The result will be catastrophic to the countries economy.

    • Anonymous says:

      Not necessarily true. Why would anyone panic if they just read a little and take a look around the world at excess deaths and known vulnerables to the virus? It’s nowhere near as bad as we’d been led to believe it.

      And the vaccinated are not all dropping dead in the streets all over the world. Oddly, nobody is despite the early videos from Wuhan.

      Obese and underlying illness are the vast, vast, vast majority of deaths. Along with the elderly (who knew the old would die?), there’s actually very little to worry about whether you are vaccinated or not.

      I know, its hard to believe. Just look at the wolrd statistics. Nothing overly odd is happening in terms of dead people. You’ll be fine too if you take a walk and eat well and calm down.

      • Anonymous says:

        I agree – if you ignore all the facts and delude yourself with social media ‘alternative facts’ everything looks wonderful.

      • Anonymous says:

        You are correct, it is nowhere near as bad as it could have been. Especially now that a safe and available vaccine is preventing serious illness.

        The challenge is reading and comprehension.

        100% the first time there is a community case here the schools will close, government workers will go back to “working” from home, and we will be arrested for trying shop on a Tuesday instead of Wednesday.

        May as well just roll up in a ball and wait.

    • Anonymous says:

      Any trees left?

  29. Anonymous says:

    Is being separated from family for the last 12-18 months reason enough to travel? This prolonged border closure has been very, very hard on families.

  30. Anonymous says:

    Now we have the religious fanatics from West Bay are holding a meeting in the GT Town hall this weekend to push the anti-vaxx agenda.

    This is getting ridiculous now. The PACT Government just needs to stop wasting time on these people and focus on those that have been responsible. We are never going to change their minds. The only thing that will do that is to re-open and once they start getting infected and have a family member die or end up with long covid after they recover then they will understand..

  31. Anonymous says:

    Why don’t they just put on more flights? Since CAL has a monopoly being the only airline to fly, the ticket prices are sky high plus they need goverment back up funding; just add flights and rake it in while you can.

  32. Anonymous says:

    “… But given the number of people wanting to fly now, it could no longer be a matter of trust…”

    Hah? Have they all gone bonkers?

  33. Anonymous says:

    In UK newspaper:Where can you book flights and holidays to with British Airways?

    British Airways (BA) customers are able to book flights and holidays to the following Green listed destinations:
    Antigua
    Australia
    Barbados
    Bermuda
    Bulgaria
    Cayman Islands
    Croatia
    Gibraltar
    Grenada
    Hong Kong
    Iceland
    Israel
    Madeira
    Malta
    British Airways (BA) customers are able to book flights and holidays to the following Amber listed destinations:
    Albania
    Andorra
    Austria
    The Bahamas
    Belgium
    Canada
    China
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic (Czechia)
    Denmark
    Finland
    France (quarantine rules will still apply for 10 days after arriving back in England)
    Germany
    Greece (including islands)
    Hungary
    Italy
    Jamaica
    Japan
    Malaysia
    Mauritius
    Mexico
    Monaco
    Morocco
    Norway
    Poland
    Portugal
    Romania
    Russia
    Saudi Arabia
    South Korea
    Spain (including Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands)
    St Kitts and Nevis
    St Lucia
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Thailand

  34. Anonymous says:

    So, between now and September, when all the seats are already sold and there is apparently a waiting list of 800 people, you will need to justify your reasons for travel when trying to book a non existent seat. Right. Oh, and it’s all the PPMs fault apparently. Nothing to do with the current government not allowing additional flights, oh no. Kenneth is either seriously stupid, or thinks we are. Or both.

  35. Anonymous says:

    This is ridiculous. So much to unpack here. First of all, this is not North Korea and people don’t need to tell you why they need or want to leave the country! This is a very slippery slope! Second of all, if you did want to take up communist tendencies you needed to ask the questions BEFORE all of the flights were booked, you muppets! Even people who have newly acquired medical conditions, happening every single day, are having to figure out private flights. Third of all, with Cayman Airways actively invoking government sanctioned PRICE GOUGING the only people who can afford to leave are very wealthy people. Regular folks aren’t trying to take 1300 dollar round trip flights to MIAMI!!!! Honestly, I was so hopeful for this new administration… I was so on board with change. I live in an SMC where we had two candidates, both good, both new, both Independent, so I wasn’t afforded the opportunity as to whether or not I was voting old guard or new. But nonetheless, I was hopeful and excited. And then this kind of nonsense comes out. PACT, you cannot hold the 70% of the country hostage for the 30% that refuses to get vaccinated. They have made their choice and it is their right to do so… they have chosen to accept the risk. Open up. Covid is here to stay. And if you don’t open up, for the love of God, get a better PR person because travel mandates as to who can get permission to leave take us to beyond their world status, they take us to a much darker place. Let’s not go there please.

  36. Anonymous says:

    Honestly I am so frustrated being held hostage by this incompetent government and these morons who refuse to get vaccinated.

  37. Anonymous says:

    my basic human right to travel as a vaccinated adult is my justification.
    deny that and i (and others) will see you in court.

  38. Anonymous says:

    I think people are really starting to finally lose patience, with those unwilling to vaccinate, with the government coupling its opening policies with getting the unwilling minority to suddenly become willing, and for limiting the ability for residents to travel after 16 months by excessively limiting flight options.

    The frustration is building and I can really sense it on this forum today. One of the highest vaccinations rates in the world, and nearly 90% of people over 40 fully vaccinate. Near-perfect compliance with quarantine.

    Its time.

    • Anonymous says:

      I think those who can’t or unwilling to vaccinate “are really starting to finally lose patience with” vaxx zealots.

      “The frustration is building and I can really sense it on this forum today”???? That is because only vaxx zealots comments are posted.

  39. Anonymous says:

    Wasn’t his the policy all along? If it was enforced we would not have this problem now.

    • Anonymous says:

      You would love to live in east Berlin and Cuba, who both restricted exiting travel “for good reasons”. Why don’t people ever learn where excess authority of government ALWAYS leads?

  40. Anonymous says:

    My stance on this is that it is time that the Government stop letting the unvaccinated decide how things happen in Cayman. Those of us that are vaccinated are being continually punished because of they were responsible and did what was necessary to protect themselves, their families and friends and yes the unvaccinated.

    If the Government wants to take a hard stance then make it a hard stance against the unvaccinated. This is the perfect opportunity. If you are not vaccinated, you can’t fly..period. Exceptions to be made for those with medical conditions.

    We also need to stop all of these people coming in on work permits and to work for government that are unvaccinated and then refusing to get the vaccine..No more exceptions as well to those coming in on their private jets that are unvaccinated and not even doing the full quarantine. A lot of this is happening under our nose and certain people are looking the other way for a little bit under the table..It has to stop!

    • Anonymous says:

      You are exhibiting dictatorial tendencies…

      Fortunately in 21st Century there are Human Rights and Constitutions to protect people.

  41. Anonymous says:

    Good! This should have been the case since weeks ago.

  42. Anonymous says:

    Travelers need to justify their travel – WTF

    How about government justifies closing all vaccination clinics on Mondays. Was it intending to slow down the vaccination process or was it too complicated for them to understand that if they close the facilities no one will get vaccinated?

    • Anonymous says:

      It’s because they did not want to have to publish the fact that sooner or later, no one is going to show up one day.

  43. Anonymous says:

    No rules if you fly out on a G6!

  44. Anonymous says:

    I am not an attorney but I’m sure there are some who read this. What is the legal basis for the government prohibiting residents to leave the country if they wish. Can they legally do that? What is the legal mechanism in place to enforce that?

    • Anonymous says:

      5000 retainer and I’ll tel you

    • Anonymous says:

      time for a legal challenge to the current restrictions on basic rights.

    • Anonymous says:

      You don’t have to be an attorney to know your Rights, this just goes to show how uneducated this pact government is, and who the hell died and made Kenneth queen, because the laws of our constitution over rides any Minister’s law and this action needs to be dealt with immediately by the human rights commission.
      In the interest of public safety only then can these laws be put in place, but as far as the public knows that cayman doesn’t have any covid community transmission and no shelter in place orders so therefore there is no need for public safety upon departure, and I am more than confident that CAL can suffice the proper travel arrangements for everyone.
      People of the Cayman islands stand up firm for your Rights and don’t give these tyrants the pleasure, because if you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything.

      • Anonymous says:

        Not when the country is in a state of emergency as it is now. The Governor and Dr Lee have all the power to keep the country closed. Once the virus has been ruled endemic, then there is no reason to keep the country in a state of emergency with closed borders.

        • Anonymous says:

          What is this state of emergency of which you speak?

          Shirley we wouldn’t have had an election during a state of emergency…

          We just had “Freedom Day” in the Mother Country and most if not all other Overseas Territories are handling things in a more logical manner. Even BVI where they are having an outbreak!

        • Anonymous says:

          There is no state of emergency so therefore the constitution stands,
          Read section 13 of the bill of rights and figure it out for yourself since you like to fight your battles with your keyboard.

    • Anonymous says:

      Absolutely none. Kenneth is making this up. Just like he said that there was a moratorium on granting of WIZ permits. The Premier had to quickly correct him. He talks first. Maybe thinks later.

    • Anonymous says:

      Residents can leave by boat if they wish, or private plane.

      But the International Civil Aviation Organisation defines what is a repatriation flight, and while a country’s borders are closed and customary commercial aviation is closed, the only passenger flights approved into and out of the country are ‘repatriation flights by authorised carriers’. These flights are to be used exclusively for emergencies or special situations like medical or education needs.

      As a citizen you can leave on vacation in dingy if you want, or a G6 if you can afford it, but the Cayman Islands Government and CAL are not supposed to be facilitating vacations.

    • Anonymous says:

      Yes. They can restrict travel if it is legal, rational, proportionate and fair. It our circumstances and those confronting the world, that test is met. Canada, Australia, and France (for example) are doing it, and they already have Covid. You are free to travel if you need to. The restriction is for those traveling on a whim, and even then, only because they are depriving people with a need (Medical patients etc) from seats. It is also relevant that the processing of travelers on their return is expensive and is not a cost that should be borne by the government unnecessarily. Get used to it. There is another year ahead.

    • Anonymous says:

      The legal mechanism is they own the airline and dictate how many flights their airline will fly. They also dictate which carriers can land and take off. They’ll let you leave on your own boat or swim I guess..
      Crazy times and we all sat back and let it happen.

    • Anonymous says:

      Attorneys don’t care, plenty money to fly anywhere, anytime and take your money.

  45. Darveson says:

    2019/2020 PPM set rules that everyone had to register as an importer to use FedEx. Now it can take over a month to get items using FedEx. Now PACT declaring all to register to travel. Life is better in Cuba! Pact / PPM all retards. I am off to the governors office to apply for political asylum in the UK!

  46. Annie says:

    Will Govt consider the reduction in the population numbers from the students have returning to uni? That is serious reduction in the denominator.

    • Anonymous says:

      Government needs to revise the population numbers again since the UK have now stated that only vulnerable 12-18 year olds should get the vaccine.

      The new protocol now excludes a large number of our young people whose inclusion in the vaccination program was necessary to reaching the 80% of population requirement. If the figures are not adjusted to reflect 80% of eligible population we will never meet our goal and clearly we will never open up.

    • Anonymous says:

      Let’s hope the students take the opportunity to get vaccinated particularly since most of them will be going bcak to schools in areas where the Delta variant is raging.

    • Anonymous says:

      And a lot of them were vaccinated while away at school. Cayman records would still be showing them as unvaccinated since they weren’t done here and now way to self declare if done elsewhere.

    • Anonymous says:

      They will not, they have no intention of opening the border. Going to need to get your gun.

  47. Annie says:

    Will Govt recalculate the population number once all of the students have returned to uni? That is serious reduction in the denominator.

    • Anonymous says:

      Those students are overwhelmingly vaccinated. Their departure will reduce, not increase, the percentage of our population that is vaccinated.

  48. Annie says:

    I really do not think this could be any more mismanaged if Government’s goal was to mismanage it. They are allowing the minority to dictate policy. Everyone has had ample opportunity to receive a free, safe and highly effective vaccine. Those that have chosen not to do so do it with knowledge of the risks. Essentially we are protecting anti vaxers from themselves. It is an untenable and unreasonable position.

  49. Anonymous says:

    Where do I find accurate information? I see nothing on gov.ky, and travel cayman has been unreachable for the last week.

  50. Anonymous says:

    Looks like we’re turning into our neighbor to the north. Soon we’ll be protesting in the streets too! This is too much now!

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