Quarantine to be lifted in four weeks

| 22/10/2021 | 554 Comments
Cayman News Service
Deputy Governor Franz Manderson and Premier Wayne Panton at Friday’s press briefing

(CNS): The Cayman Island Government will be allowing vaccinated travellers and visitors into the country without having to quarantine from Saturday, 20 November. The announcement was made by Premier Wayne Panton on Friday afternoon at a press conference, but it appears that the details of how this next phase of the border reopening plan will be managed have not been finalised.

With press questions severely curtailed and the rapid testing policy still not complete, the shape of the next step has yet to be articulated, though the premier said the goal was to reopen safely, minimising the impact on the health services.

Families travelling with unvaccinated children will still be required to quarantine for at least ten days. But adults who arrive with proof of a negative PCR test and a verifiable vaccine or people from countries with 60% or more national vaccination rates, such as the United States, can submit non-electronic documents from healthcare providers to verify their vaccines and go straight to their hotel or condo, or home in the case of residents.

However, how much visitor numbers will increase remains to be seen, as JetBlue’s twice weekly service from New York and the return of an Air Canada flight from Toronto on 4 December are the only confirmed additions to the existing flights by Cayman Airways and British Airways.

How tourists will be handled if they test positive during their stay has not been addressed and the necessary protocols surrounding the self-sanitation of taxis and buses carrying tourists have not been ironed out yet either. But the government believes the tourism sector will be ready by 20 November.

According to the Deputy Governor, the civil service is focusing on ensuring that its testing and isolation regimes will be able to cope and that the health services are increasing staff across all related areas, from testing to manning the flu hotline. Health Minister Sabrina turner also said that $1 million has been set aside to help people who are positive and required to isolate and prevented for whatever reason from getting paid.

Meanwhile, although rapid home test kits are going to play a critical role in the safe and successful return of tourism, the policy on how these tests will be managed has still not been finalised. Responding to CNS questions about the use of the test kits, Chief Medical Officer Dr John Lee said that officials were “burning the midnight oil on the rapid testing policy” because “we want to get this right”.

Dr Lee said the goal was to create an electronic solution for the reporting of results but he stressed that it will still be based heavily on trust. If government is going to succeed in keeping the economy going, people in their jobs and the schools open, the community must be honest and report the positive results, he said.

20,000 tests have been set aside for the schools, which will be delivered Monday when class resumes after the extended mid-term break. These tests will be free of charge and passed on to parents so families can begin home testing students. The goal is to prevent the need for whole classes or other groups to isolate or schools to close when some students are positive, and to only quarantine those who have the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

An abstract plan about how the country is going to manage living with COVID-19, something Dr Lee said is already happening now, and how we will cope with the increased risk of spread of the virus with the end of travel quarantine was presented by the deputy governor and is expected to be posted on the government website this evening.

See the full press briefing below:


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Category: Health, Medical Health, Politics

Comments (554)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    This is a slow motion train wreck. We are all passengers, and I would rather not be forced to watch what is going to happen over the next 2 months. Dropping quarantine is a mistake. We are not putting the health and well being of our community first. Even the economic arguments make little sense. Not since slavery will we have seen so many sacrifice so much, including lives, to add to the coffers of so few.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Readiness to open is NOT about vaccinations, testing and stupid quarantines and of course not about sanitizing hard surfaces and distancing. Because you can’t “cage” the virus(es) or change human behavior. Continuing hiding from the world is not the answer either.

    Readiness is about HOW YOU are going to PREVENT HOSPITALIZATIONS. Because some people will get sick, vaccinated or not. Some severely. Cayman does not have the capacity and expertise to successfully treat severely sick people who already exhibit respiratory failure, not individually, not en masse.

    The only thing you can do is to prevent progression of COVID, meaning stopping it at the onset, in the first 1-3 days. Once people require hospitalization, it is too late. Every doctor in the world knows that or must know.

    Today you can only do it only with Monoclonal Antibodies infusions or copy exactly what they did in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh-it is cheap, effective and very easy to administer. There are other protocols that do work, but won’t be used mainstream because stupid FDA won’t approve it. And it seems the world is blindly following FDA recommendations. But I can guarantee, every person in a position of power, every doctor is ready, has it in their pockets, and will be using it, if they get Covid symptoms.

    I am unjabbed, not because I am hesitant or anti-vaxxer,I simply know it won’t do me any good, for I am already disabled with a chronic condition stemming from the flu vaxx few years ago. Yes, I am officially disabled for life. And I know how to protect myself

    What others do with their bodies, is not my business. I have a family member late 30s with long Covid, and knew one person who died, also late 30s.

    What I strongly believe in, based on what I DO KNOW, people should not be dying from Covid19 in October 2021- there are treatments exist that do work, but unfortunately not being used mainstream in most countries.

    So after reading the article, I’ve arrived to a conclusion -Cayman is not ready, in fact your leaders have no clue what they are doing. Whatever the protocols they are going yet to implement will be expensive, still restrictive and only mildly effective.

    You just don’t continue at the end of 2021 with 2020 practices. A lot has changed. We even had time to learn that Covid jabs guarantee nothing, despite the mantra “they reduce risk of mortality”.

    Unless you hear from the mouths of your leaders “WE ARE READY to stop COVID progression from the first symptoms to full blown respiratory failure” Cayman is not ready. In my humble opinion you’re not even remotely ready and will be repeating the steps other island have made and deal with the consequences, blaming everyone but your own stupidity for suffering and deaths of residents and visitors alike, UNLESS you refocus on early treatments- the only thing that would prevent unnecessary tragedies.

    Having said all that, majority of residents and visitors will be fine even if they get infected. It is those unfortunate few (or many?), high risk group they say, who would require an early intervention, which Cayman doctors and medical facilities not ready to provide.

    COVID-19 the third leading cause of death in Alaska so far in 2021, state data shows.
    https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2021/10/23/covid-19-third-leading-cause-death-alaska-so-far-2021-state-data-shows/

    • Anonymous says:

      100%. Even with suspect studies thrown out, the results are crystal clear even to a novice. What’s going on should be a crime.

  3. Seawood says:

    The opening notice is great news!

    As soon as I can get airfare I’m coming down!

    Otherwise I’ll do it the same way as the Raccoon.

    He didn’t even get a negative PCR test!

  4. Anonymous says:

    Missing from the plan is addressing what the government’s reaction will be to further community spread. Are we continuing with forced quarantines on entire classes/years of students AND THEIR VACCINATED PARENTS when there are a couple positives??? This has to stop as it is draconian and is not done anywhere else in the world. A new plan is desperately needed and there are a lot of best practices out there from other countries.

    I will lose it if I end up in a completely unnecessary quarantine over Christmas once families who are traveling have to get a pre-flight test and surely some kids (who will have either ZERO symptoms or mild cold/flu symptoms) will test positive.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Not really lifting of quarantine for a large percentage of the population with children under 12 . One of the only countries to not make them exempt. Sad and angry at this. Vaccinated can still carry covid, children will be quarantined, schools will be closed.

  6. Anonymous says:

    So much has changed in two years, most notably SMB including its access. Before you verify what you’re going to do with that Mr Premier – 🐾 🙄

  7. Anonymous says:

    How many days does your months have..This is 30 days do you need one more day? The pettiness of some people is so annoying! geesh!

  8. Anonymous says:

    This is hardly a reopening…how many people come here without children? More importantly, how does this help resident families to travel and visit family overseas? Wayne and Co., please explain the science behind forcing children under 12 to quarantine? PACT government is beyond a joke at this point, completely rudderless leadership and another great example of their absolute incompetence – an hour and a half of listening to their own voices deliver babble. I wouldn’t feel comfortable asking Wayne and his chums to organize a piss up in a brewery.

  9. Anonymous says:

    This really only helps hotel owners and workers who are not Caymanian. Could have opened for residents first because they have somewhere to quarantine when they get tested positive. $$$ win again

  10. Anonymous says:

    All these comments. People with vaccinations can handle it. End of, that’s the point !!!!

  11. Anonymous says:

    At least PACT was honest in letting people know that they did not expect to prevent illness and death only minimize those outcomes. Unfortunately I get the idea that minimizing illness and death is itself going to be limited by the profit demands of the business elite.

    • Anonymous says:

      Again another backtracking comment as weeks prior they were saying they wanted not one death. They are a JOKE

  12. Anonymous says:

    We will have another lock down by March 2022.

    I dont have a problem with the opening of the border, but the quarantine should stay in place for at least 7 days vaccinated or unvaccinated. This will ensure the continuous opening of the border. Otherwise we may have to close again.

    • Anonymous says:

      The 7 days is already there now with the border open. So you are saying we should not move to phase 4? We can’t stay closed like this forever.

  13. Anonymous says:

    If nothing else positive comes from this pandemic, at least we can state with confidence that we have successfully taught a handful of people the difference between a boarder and a border.

  14. Anonymous says:

    The re-opening plan that was outlined today will clearly result in profits for some but is totally inconsistent with the stated objective of opening safely. I am pretty sure that was obvious to most people.

  15. Anonymous says:

    I have a word for the panel and their confidence in their as yet gap riddled plan – HUBRIS.

  16. Cayman 2021 says:

    You all need to live and stop being scared of COVID. Get vaccinated. Get your booster. Covid is NOT going away!!! Stop living in your bubble. This is not 2020. You keep saying “but the children”… statistically they are OK! You can’t stay closed forever. Even Australia is opening up!

    • Anonymous says:

      Like u keep saying covid is not going away. You can’t possibly know that and just use this conjecture to support your desires. No science behind it!

      • Anonymous says:

        If it goes away, we are even better off. So what’s your point?

        • Anonymous says:

          That the scaremongers like to keep saying ‘covid will never go away’. If you need help comprehending English I can give you some names of tutors

      • Anonymous says:

        The same scientists and agencies that said it would go away are now saying it won’t, so you could be correct or incorrect. One thing is for sure, almost nobody knows WTF they are talking about yet have no problem proclaiming short-term evolutionary truth. All they know for sure is who pays them. Skeptics are deplatformed and maligned.

    • Anonymous says:

      Bro stop talking Shite Australia is a continent compare to Cayman! With totally different types of scenarios! why don’t you go there then eh ?

    • Anonymous says:

      But the developers and profits!

    • Anonymous says:

      Oh be quiet! Stop panicking.

  17. Anonymous says:

    We need to open with less red tape!

  18. Anonymous says:

    They should move the boosters down to 40 or 45 years old now. I got mine yesterday morning and there were no lines at all at the Lions Centre. Definitely capacity to do more.

    • Anonymous says:

      Or just make it available to all to book a booster online at a time slot. Is that so difficult on a tiny island? Why wait…

    • Anonymous says:

      There were lines this afternoon. Though I give credit that it was moving well enough.

      • Anonymous says:

        Tip: avoid Fridays. Friday is the busiest day as people can rest at home on Saturday if they have side effects.

        (I was a bit achy and fatigued the day after booster — not too bad, though, but fine the next day).

    • Anonymous says:

      Lamb to the slaughter

    • Anonymous says:

      Opening Cayman will not introduce COVID. COVID is here and spreading. Just wait till next weekend after 5 days of school being back in session. It will spread like wildfire.
      GET VACCINATED.

    • Anonymous says:

      Poor fool.

  19. Anonymous says:

    Just get vaccinated and you will be fine.

  20. Anonymous says:

    Pretty obvious this has nothing to do with public health and everything to do with the pressure groups. They were already boasting a November opening before govt announced it. Panton is a fake and couldn’t give a crap about public health. Here we are with escalating covid cases and throwing the doors open. Why not end the quarantine right now for all the families in quarantine? Makes no sense.

    • Anonymous says:

      The alternative to not opening? Don’t kid yourself it’s better to remain closed – that is financial suicide. This isn’t money v public health, its sustainability v dealing with a disease that we can’t avoid for ever.

    • Beaumont Zodecloun says:

      I disagree that “Panton isa fake and couln’t give a crap about public health.”

      I think it eats at him. I think he doesn’t sleep very well, and he frets about all this, and so he should.

      I also think the power groups are weighing heavily upon him and he thinks we have to keep up with the world and all their woes, not recognising that we’ve created a new thing in the Cayman Islands.

      I think we will be in the same state as other countries in this very place, and we’ll be sorry, because the safe place we had secured will not be reclaimable.

      Be careful for what you wish for.

    • Anonymous says:

      Ok, we have escalating cases. That was always going to happen. It’s in the community and had been for weeks. The important part is how many are in ICU or dead. Are the hospitals overwhelmed? No. Have we had mass deaths? No. Are the kids dropping like flies? No. Are our senior citizens dropping like flies? No. Covid is here to stay and living in a bubble isn’t going to stop that. Time to get in step with the real world and get on with it. And get vaxxed while you’re at it.

    • Anon says:

      Stay closed forever? There is no alternative

  21. Anonymous says:

    Wayne categorically stated that he would give the country a month of notice. This is not a month of notice.

    • Anonymous says:

      OMG- Oct. 22 to NOV. 20….close enough after waiting almost 2 years. It’s far past time.

    • Anonymous says:

      A month in PACT speak has the same loose meaning as a PACT press conference that is supposed to start at 1PM – no scratch that 3 PM – no scratch that – it will start when the politicians get there, if they get there.

    • Anonymous says:

      He also said that government was putting community health and safety first – don’t count on that either.

    • Anonymous says:

      Sorry Isaac Newton. You were only given 29 days notice not 30 days. Just self isolate on November 20th and you will get your 30 days.

    • Anonymous says:

      It is now October. Opening in November. That’s a different month…

    • Anonymous says:

      When will you learn our government schools never did reach us maths.

    • Anonymous says:

      4 weeks rather than a calendar month. Of course, those extra few days make all the difference, right. Think you are focusing on the wrong issue.

    • Anonymous says:

      Who cares anymore..

    • Sir Chasm says:

      Yes, I feel a deep, deep sense of anger at the giving of 29 days’ notice rather 31.

    • Anonymous says:

      They also said the press conferences start at a certain time, hey ho.. welcome to cayman, same in every government department and all civil services… never get what you want, never on time

    • Anonymous says:

      How many days does your months have..This is 30 days do you need one more day? The pettiness of some people is so annoying! geesh!

    • Anonymous says:

      Are you dumb….Its a month tomorrow!

    • Anonymous says:

      Wayne categorically says a lot of things. So do the other members of PACT. Don’t rely on any of them. Remember Kenny’s deliberate ‘scare statement’?

    • Anonymous says:

      Is February not a month long?

    • Anonymous says:

      Do the maths if you can

      • Anonymous says:

        Enough about the month foolishness , stop being childish, 29 or 30 days it doesn’t matter that much only one day for christ sake.whats wrong with you people ? move on with important matters.

  22. Anonymous says:

    Active cases starting to accelerate. Link below. Mirrors Bermuda late August. Let’s see if we make it to four weeks without explosion. Better fax rate than Bermuda and Bermuda didn’t have boosters in August. Fingers crossed.

    https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/cayman-islands/

    • Anonymous says:

      Highly vaccinated community. Stop stressing. Wear a mask when you can’t social distance. Wash your hands. Vaccinate if you haven’t.

    • Anonymous says:

      Cayman delayed phase 4 for just 5 weeks, but in that time, boosters can be distributed and lateral testing can give immediate diagnostics and tracing. We are in much better shape so long as people respect the disease by masking and distancing.

      • Anonymous says:

        And yet in my open plan office it is business as usual. Everyone at their stations and no masks. Why is government allowing this?

        • Anonymous says:

          Why are you allowing it? Wear a mask and social distance yourself away from people in your office.

    • Anonymous says:

      Didn’t the vaccines work that you’ve all took?

      I’m shocked

    • Anonymous says:

      Best conference the PACT has held.

      I for one is happy with the date and the details of the plan shared at the press conference.

      Reading some of this comments making me realise how important mental health really is.

  23. Anonymous says:

    Standby for the selfish upper middle class and chamber of commerce cretins who do not give a damn what happens to the poor and downtrodden as long as they get to enjoy themselves

    • Anonymous says:

      Get vaccinated.

    • Anonymous says:

      What? Everyone has had equal access to vaccines since March

    • Anonymous says:

      Racist

    • Anonymous says:

      What about the poor and downtrodden who work in tourism? At what point do you give them your savings and equity in your business / house, etc because of your principles?
      We have been isolated for over 18 months. We now have 80% vaccination rate achieved (you can quibble over 1%!) and we are as ready as we are ever going to be. What is selfish about expecting the country to open its borders when we are in this position?
      We are now at a point where those wanting our borders to remain shut are the selfish ones.

  24. Anonymous says:

    Supposing we as Caymanians travel and when we test to return test positive. How do we get home?

    • Anonymous says:

      Get vaccinated

      • Anonymous says:

        Stupid ignorant comment. Vaccinated people testing positive everyday

      • Anonymous says:

        Huh ??? If you’re vaccinated you don’t test positive ?

        • Anonymous says:

          You still don’t understand that vaccinated people can get infected test positive and spread the virus? ?

      • Anonymous says:

        Ya. Get vaccinated, its not a bloody math test or something. You don’t have to figure anything out. Just show up, get a shot and move on with your life. Simple.

      • Anonymous says:

        Even vaccinated, you could still test positive. Sure, the chances are lower for fully vaxxed but it does happen.

      • Brian says:

        The question is legitimate; just because you are vaccinated doesn’t guarantee you won’t get covid. It means you have a good chance of not getting covid or when you do it means symptoms will be less severe; but being vaccinated is no guarantee. So the question above is legitimate.

      • Anonymous says:

        Why? Makes no difference

      • Anonymous says:

        Not going to stop you from testing positive.

      • Anonymous says:

        A lot of fully vaccinated people still get infected. It is a legitimate question. I had to travel overseas for medical treatment recently and asked the same question. The answer that came back was quarantine until you test negative which could be 2 – 8 weeks.

      • Anonymous says:

        Certainly a good idea at this point, and best available counter measure, but not a bulletproof vest. Vaccinated get delta plus just as easily as everyone else, with hopefully a shorter and less severe experience. Doesn’t make any difference as far as travel-related PCR testing fails go.

      • Anonymous says:

        Seriously, Vaccinated people test positive too.

      • Anonymous says:

        Supposing we Vaccinated Caymanians travel and when we test to return test positive. How do we get home?

      • The vaccinated can catch it as well Dumb Dumb !!.

      • Anonymous says:

        8:03 That has nothing to do with getting home.

    • Anonymous says:

      You have to wait it out in the country you visited. You wont be allowed on the plane while you are positive.

      That is a risk of foreign travel. Have to make contingency plans.

      Not a Cayman specific matter.

    • Anonymous says:

      Probably have to quarantine where you are until test negative and then you fly home. Just like everyone else in the world would have to do.

    • Anonymous says:

      That’s the risk. Same for tourists and students visiting here. Don’t get the ‘rona on tour. These are not normal times for travel anywhere.

    • Anonymous says:

      You wait until you are no longer positive until you can fly.

    • Anonymous says:

      Everyone criticising the element of trust in the public required here. Stop being such a nanny state and expecting your government to clean up after you constantly. The successful countries worldwide that have opened freely a while back have based it on successful trust and the public responding… people wearing masks, social distancing when required, sanitizing, testing themselves and isolating if they have symptoms. It’s on you, the people and it’s time to open. Grow up and act like a developed nation for once.

    • Sir Chasm says:

      Yes, the nativist right to board planes for a shopping trip while knowingly carrying a highly infectious disease has been ignored.

    • Anonymous says:

      That is the risk you will take if you travel. So be prepared to stay longer in the country you visited. You may well end up paying to isolate (room & food) in another country until you recover and are clear to travel home.
      Think before you leap.

    • Anonymous says:

      You don’t get to travel…Thats it.
      Welcome to the new world NO ONE Caymanian or other that is positive gets to fly!

      Really why would you ask this question???

    • Anonymous says:

      Get rich

    • Anonymous says:

      You wait until you test negative!

  25. Anon says:

    Everything seems to be about Pfizer “too big to fail.” All other remedies is not aligned with the Uk’s narrative, so we can only watch 🙁

    • Anonymous says:

      @7:15pm I hear another pill is coming out so you will be able to give the poor horses dying with worms an opportunity to get use of their Ivermectin again..

  26. Anonymous says:

    I don’t think too many people will be honest about the self tests. First of all, you can simply put the swab in the solution without putting in your nostril. Guaranteed negative every time.

    Or if do get a positive you just don’t report it and throw away the test.

    People are just not going to want to subject their entire household to 14 days of quarantine.

    • Anonymous says:

      Well, we have to rely on good people to tell the truth. There’s a good percentage who will. Rest is down to science

    • Beaumont Zodecloun says:

      You miss the point of the self test. It’s not to prove anything to anyone ELSE; it’s to prove things to yourself, for the safety of those around you.

    • Anonymous says:

      @7:13pm anyone who does that and puts the rest of their family at risk or even cause the death of one of their family members should be ashamed of themselves and in my mind there should be some sort of penalty when someone does that..That is absolute selfishness.

    • Anonymous says:

      Not quite right actually- there’s a line on the test which comes up to show that there is an adequate amount of material to test. That wouldn’t show if you just dipped an unused swab in the test solution.

    • Anonymous says:

      Kind of like now but without the test/guilt?

    • Anonymous says:

      Only the dishonest, disrespectful, and dishonorable will do this as usual. And Everyone knows they will get away with it. Again. No new problem. Same problem. Same people. Let them. You can not control the voting block here.

    • Anonymous says:

      No need to report. This government has decided to throw away all it did to prevent the spread of covid. It is now about the ‘economy’ and bringing in more expats for minimum wage.

    • Anonymous says:

      By people you mean locals? Lots of other kinds of people actually follow local laws always as I do. It’s not that hard to do if you were brought up that way. As far as those who don’t follow laws sooner or later it catches up to you.

  27. Anonymous says:

    We all learned something during this episode, about the things we will agree to do (as citizens, as a nation) and about the things we will not do again. I (for example) will not quarantine again. I bought a home in the Turks and Caicos during this episode and we will visit in November returning on November 21. I still love Cayman but the leadership here is not as good since the election. The communication is poor – the decisions are poor. If we go back to mismanagement and closures, I am sorry to say but we are moving family, employees and people to the Turks. I am in financial services and we can work with Miami and Nassau and Turks rather than suffering through quarantines for my people. The lesson to government is it needs to decide if they want to work with or against the business community. Do we love it here? Yes. Do we want to go? no. Are we going to pull up stakes and transplant if the government shows us it can’t run this Country? 100% yes. Sad and unnecessary but the leadership of these Islands drove us to the precipice as a nation. I hope they get the message that money and people are mobile and if they make the quality of life so poor by restricting the movement of people then those people will take their business elsewhere.

    • Anonymous says:

      Bye Bye

    • Anonymous says:

      And you may be an unemployed wanna-be trolling in your garage. I have little faith in what you stated.

    • Anonymous says:

      If you are saying Bahamas has been the land of milk and honey the last 20 months you are wrong. I work for a Big Four accounting firm in Cayman, and our office is Nassau Bahamas has been working from home since March 2020.

      Bahamas is so much more dependent on tourism than Cayman that they had to risk fully opening early on.

      Yes we had quarantine, but we went 16 months without wearing masks, our Cayman firm was the only firm in our international network that had a Christmas party (with 200 people), and we had two deaths only. So we exchanged temporary loss of freedom with brief quarantine for some people for substantial day to day freedoms for all, not experienced in almost any other country in the world.

      And Ive been to Turks and Caicos a few times, and if your financial services staff prefer living there, then good luck to you (you are in denial).

      So bye bye. PS, dont plan on travel to Australia or New Zealand, because they may make you do something on arrival.

      • Anonymous says:

        Bahamas has been very livable actually. Crime is down, flights to Miami roll every day. The economy is booming. We drop the ball here and somebody else has picked it up

    • Anonymous says:

      If you think the Cayman government is bad, we can’t wait until you get to know the T&C folks.

    • Sure, sure, we believe you says:

      Ok, thanks for that rambling. All the best in your new home, island. I would move there anyhow, go on, hurry up and transport. T&C loves ya baby. We’re not for you anymore, we’re used up, bon voyage.

    • Beaumont Zodecloun says:

      No offence. You don’t sound like you are of us. We stick together, or try to. I wish you well in your new shiny condo elsewhere.

      Again, no offence. I don’t think you are the kind of people we’re trying to attract to come live here; we want people that will grow with us. Who will sacrifice with us, if necessary. People who love our nature and honour the Cayman Islands, our history and culture.

    • Anonymous says:

      I don’t follow your comments. I didn’t vote for the current government, but today they announced no quarantine from 20 November for vaccinated travelers who test negative for COVID-19. So what is your area of complaint exactly and how is it better in the Turks and Caicos?

    • Anonymous says:

      Cool. Go. For every one of you there are 10 who like the ultra cautious approach. You are akin to the Karen who resists wearing the mask, and we are happy to say buh-by, Karen….

      • Anonymous says:

        Yea cool. Go. And the next one, and the next who complains, and the next one and even those who go quietly without telling us. Go and don’t look back. Dont look at the Country you left changing for the worse, and losing its soul. Don’t let the door hit you in the behind as you go. I’m so proud and stupid I’d rather tear this Country back to the stone age and become a regional unemployed mosquito infested laughing stock than listen to the voice of anyone who came on their own and invested here. I don’t want anyone (even those who are absolutely right) to tell me how inept I am, how stupid my actions are. And please Lord don’t let anyone stop my free-handouts and stipend.

    • Anonymous says:

      @7:10pm

      Oh my my..so now you come to threaten us with if we don’t do as you say you will pull up roots and leave..You are so full of yourself and this is absolute BS. If this was all no good and we have been so terrible over the last 18 months..Why the hell are you still here?

      The only difference with this government and the last one is that they are looking out for us the people first..you don’t like that much do you?

      There are many financial companies that stayed here and continue to bring their people here despite the quarantine. Why do you think that is? my thoughts are if you pick up your staff and force them to go to these places where covid is rampant the governments are hell bent on doing what you want while they watch their people die, I strongly believe many of your employees will look for employment with other financial firms right here. I don’t think you give two shits about your people but this is more about your unvaccinated, follow no rules self. Any place in the world you go you will need to obey laws so please go get vaccinated and you and your company will be just fine here.

    • Anonymous says:

      Well said, thankfully we are now opening and they have realized cayman cannot survive with the borders closed

    • Anonymous says:

      You’re going to Bahamas or Turks for better governance?

      Look – in pro opening up and there’s no doubt that the government have been poor of transparency and consistency, but that’s a pretty laughable idea.

      • Anonymous says:

        The fact that she is right, and that she has to go to the Turks and Bahamas for better governance should show us all how far and how fast we have fallen as a nation.

    • Truth says:

      Much of the skill, businesses, experience, and good hard working people are right behind you. No longer makes sense to stay where you are not wanted, have no representation, and are discriminated against. As long as CIG can pay the ones who vote you are not wanted here.

    • Anonymous says:

      Well aren’t you the lucky one? Do you get a good feeling broadcasting you have money and are mobile? I hope you do move to T&C maybe you will meet more snobbish people like yourself.

    • Anonymous says:

      Oh my. So full of drama. Precipice as a nation? Really? Notwithstanding the fact that Cayman isn’t a nation, just because you are in the financial services and don’t like to quarantine because doesn’t mean Cayman is on the precipice of anything but losing some self-important twats for a while. I’m sure you’ll come running back soon enough once the pandemic finally subsides. In the meantime, enjoy T&C and spare us the lectures.

    • H Caymanian says:

      Tell you one thing Mr 710 pm unnah won’t RUN the same $#@% unnah run here and get away it ! That I can guarantee, they in TCI will put unnah @$$ in unnah Place there! You soon will find out their is no place like Cayman . My hope is many like you leave Cayman!

      • Anonymous says:

        If “many” like 7:10 leave Cayman there will be no Cayman. And unnah can go back to eating dirt

    • Anonymous says:

      Ah, another wealthy number cruncher who thinks the world revolves around them. Bye, Felicia

  28. Anonymous says:

    Placating? At this stage, seeing is believing.

  29. Anonymous says:

    But what about Bermuda, Singapore, my right to not take the vaccine, my stipend, the evil business community and the microchips? Just kidding… this is great news.

    We will all get a booster by Christmas, ahead of the UK (on an age by age timeline basis) who are graciously providing the vaccines, and we really will be well protected.

    The recent community outbreak has actually been a good thing – no one in hospital and allows the government to move on conscience free.

  30. Anonymous says:

    Does nobody think of the children?

    • Anonymous says:

      No. Because they are creating fear with them and subjecting entire classrooms and their families to 14 days home confinement when no one in the household is sick.

      And making them wear masks all day — great for learning.

      So no, no one is thinking of the children when treating a classroom of kids like it is a floor at a maximum care retirement home.

    • Beaumont Zodecloun says:

      No. We are all collectively pretending that all children are unaffected, because that fits our ‘open up’ narrative.

    • Anonymous says:

      About the one kid in 145 years?

    • Anonymous says:

      Yes I do after being separated from mine for almost all of 2 years for a virus that has killed such a small percentage of the world!

    • Anonymous says:

      You mean the unvaccinated parents? If so, valid point.

    • Anonymous says:

      It seems that PACT does not, or at least does not give adequate thought to them.

    • Anonymous says:

      nobody doesn’t..anybody does..

    • Anonymous says:

      Yes I agree! We should always think about the children the next generation is so important. Others not thinking about the dear children is almost as upsetting as getting ripped off on a car repair at GT Automotive. Like Bet Midler said “I believe the children are our future teach them well and bring out the beauty held inside” MAX GOOSEBUMPS

      • Anonymous says:

        She sings “Teach them well”. When will Cayman do that? Answer: when the culture changes from third world.

  31. Anonymous says:

    In other news, Bermuda reported only one new Covid death today providing the opening needed for Cayman to go with the current plan and beat them before the end of the year.

    • Anonymous says:

      Didn’t know it was a race?

      • Anonymous says:

        Yes. To the bottom. We could have sat it out and remained a spectator, but we have wrongly decided to enter the game. John Lee has confirmed that living with Covid is fine. Now we get to watch what happens when politics overrides public health considerations.

    • Anonymous says:

      Next four weeks will be interesting, to see if we do or dont follow the same trajectory as Bermuda starting in late August.

      Our vax rate is slightly higher than Bermuda, Bermuda has an older average population, and Bermuda didnt have the benefit of boosters when cases started exploding in late August.

      Time will tell. Will be interesting to see. Hoping for the best.

    • Anonymous says:

      Yup. Now up to 96. It is an imperfect copy of our community. Great indicator of things to come for us. How many deaths is too many? Where does our tourism industry and government think the acceptable becomes unacceptable?

    • Anonymous says:

      Only one more…

  32. Anonymous says:

    I am double vaccinated and will get my booster next week. There are a lot of ridiculous points in what was announced today not least of which is the announcement that they are making compliance with public health measures voluntary. When and where has that ever worked.

    I am also saddened by prospect of wearing masks everywhere, giving up going to restaurants and meeting with friends, just so some hotel owners and developers can get richer. PACT sold us out.

    • Anonymous says:

      Anybody that starts their story saying “I’m double vaccinated” is someone seeking to make themselves seem credible when they are absolutely not..why was your first sentence so important…It means nothing in context to the rest of your post other than to try to get people to listen to your foolishness..Get a life!

    • Anonymous says:

      Because they can’t stop a global viral pandemic? Because citizens now have to take an active role themselves? It’s been nearly 2 years. If you still think isolation is viable then good luck and stay inside your home.

    • Anonymous says:

      So the hotel owners and developers could get richer? And the government continue to receive the tourist taxes, the work permit revenues and the indirect taxes on everything the tourists and those that serve them consume, so they can continue to employ thousands of Caymanians in the civil service and pay for al the services and infrastructure that you use every day and think fall from the sky. Because running an economy is really about your personal inconvenience and access to restaurants ( which incidentally you can still use, and which probably wouldn’t survive without the return of the tourist dollar). Entitled much ?

    • Anonymous says:

      If you want to talk about who really sold us out in politics, you are clearly looking in the wrong direction in more ways than one, my friend.

      You will be shocked and humbled at the things the Progressives have said in private and have allowed to happen behind the scenes, compared to the lip service they paid to the public for the last 8 years. I HAVE RECEIPTS, TEEDEE.

  33. Anonymous says:

    How in God’s name can anyone trust these cretins to manage the opening safely if so many of the vitally important protocols have not been “ironed out” yet? This is like announcing the commencement date of a complex construction project when the plans are largely incomplete and the planners have no idea what they will look like.

  34. Anonymous says:

    I suspect that not a word was said about early treatment as that concept is not on their radar. Either that or the CITA scripts they read did not mention it. On second thought those 2 options are the same.

  35. Anonymous says:

    The problem is people are not wearing masks, be it inside places of employment (I work in GAB and half of the staff so not have on a mask, they are coughing and sneezing and congrugating in small groups chatting face-to-face….no mask), allot of businesses are allowing persons in without masks even on public transport where you are packed like sardines. How can you feel safe when we are not open and this is happening from now? It will only get worse. I have medical reasons and am immunocompromised. No one is looking out for people like us.

    • Anonymous says:

      Get a booster when your time comes, and wear a KN95 or N95 mask and you will have as much protection as possible. Not 100%, but best you can do.

      Hope you remain safe.

      • Anonymous says:

        I’ll have to bury her. This is what people who refuse to wear masks around others need to be aware of. Stop being selfish and think of those who have no way to protect themselves.

    • Anonymous says:

      I agree 100%. Where is the support for those in the community that now have to permanently self-isolate for health reasons? Even though vaccinated, with a compromised immune system and a heart condition, I could be at risk if I catch covid. So I’ve been staying at home now since covid came into the community. Life here was paradise before for me, I felt so safe. Now it feels too dangerous to leave the house. What is the government doing to support us?

    • Brian says:

      In the old days you didn’t hold a whole country hostage for the small group of immuno compromised. The immuno compromised quarantined themselves if they needed to protect their health. I’m sorry you’re immuno compromised but it’s sad that we have flipped roles in this world where we rule for a select few versus the majority. The majority should not be subjected to lock down and keeping tourists away for the few who may be immuno compromised. We each are responsible for our own health, so by all means take the necessary precautions you need to.

    • Anonymous says:

      Same at my office. I was on a small elevator that was invaded by five young people – not a single one wearing a mask and not giving a crap who might want them to obey the law. I really don’t care what they do elsewhere, but in enclosed public spaces, they could at least show enough respect for others who might be at more risk of a bad case of Covid – even though vaccinated. Just as bad, the owner of the office building doesn’t give a crap either.

    • Anonymous says:

      Maybe speak to your doctor about getting a note so you can get the booster now if you haven’t already.

      • Anonymous says:

        No need. Got my 2nd shot in August.

        I have a 10yr old child at home, she had a bad reaction to the polio vaccine. She can’t take anything and is always ill. I have a live in nurse as well. I worry for her safety and health. Especially being in the office with others who do not care, and using the bus. Both are more than 15 minutes, and less than 6ft apart. So if I get covid and bring it home to her, I’ll have to bury her. This is what people who refuse to wear masks around others need to be aware of. Stop being selfish and think of those who have no way to protect themselves.

      • Anonymous says:

        No need. I got my second shot in August.

        My issue is other people who refuse to wear mask to protect persons who are at high risk.

        I spend allot of time commuting on public transport coming from the Eastern districts, and then in the office with desks on both sides of mine and in a linear design, all maybe 3-4 feet away from my face. My co-workers are not wearing masks, they are coughing and sneezing, even congregating in small groups to socialize all without a mask on.

        If I get covid, I can get my 10yr child, who requires a full-time nurse since having a life altering reaction to childhood vaccine. My child is very vulnerable. So are my parents. I will end up burying my family!

        This is what those selfish persons need to understand, when they choose not to wear a mask. Being vaccinated is great. I’m happy that I could get it. But I have vulnerable persons in my life who can not, at no fault of their own.

        Please everyone wear your mask when in public spaces. It’s not just about you, but those around us in our lives that are vulnerable. If we all wore masks, Covid would less likely spread in the community, and incoming travellers who less likely cause locals to get it. We could eventually become Covid free….at least when it comes to community transmission. We could ensure that people would not die, who knows, could save the life of someone close to the same persons who choose not to wear a mask, maybe even their own life. Just because you are vaccinated, doesn’t mean you can’t catch Covid, and becoming seriously ill and die. Wear a mask please, save your own life and those you don’t know or those you care about or love.

  36. Anonymous says:

    Apparently they missed the lesson that in the Covid context trusting people to do the right thing is a daft idea.

  37. Anonymous says:

    Hotel owners and developers 1- Cayman people 0

  38. Anonymous says:

    During the press briefing the Premier talked about the fact that we have community transmission of the delta variant without addressing who and what decisions resulted in us being in that position. The information from the press briefing that was meaningful and useful could have been issued in a press release. The most useful part of these press briefings is when they take questions from the press and if they are going to limit that part then these briefings then they are of limited value to the public.

  39. Anonymous says:

    Fantastic news. Nice to see Cayman catching up with the rest of the world, albeit a year later.

    • Anonymous says:

      In terms of death per capita we are not there yet but wait couple of months.

    • Anonymous says:

      Almost zero deaths, no burdening the healthcare system, 18 months without wearing masks or social distancing, large Christmas and birthday parties, in-person schooling, in-person offices, gyms and yoga studios open, one of the highest vax rates and earliest access in the world.

      Yes, we had it so, so damn bad. It was pure HELL.

      In the end, no country had the perfect answer. Day to day, it was pretty good.

      • Anonymous says:

        Obviously you are still working full-time and can afford to go to restaurants and yoga.

        • Anonymous says:

          Fair point. So why aren’t you? Construction, financial services, education, government, communications, … are all hiring and have been since Covid hit. Hell, there are even hundreds of drivers here on work permits!

    • Anonymous says:

      Which rest of the world? The ones knee deep in bodies from negligent policy? Or the ones still partially shuttered to non-vaccinated, with masking, distancing and testing? Plenty of G20 countries still have inbound quarantines in place too. We delayed our reopening by just 5 weeks to get our policy right. Given delta metrics, that’s probably saved dozens of lives. We have arrival and deployment of boosters and rapid tests, and the crabs in the barrel still have no perspective.

    • Anonymous says:

      Don’t get too excited. We have not caught up with the hospitalization and death rates reported in other countries but as of 20 November we will be on the way.

  40. Anonymous says:

    I think that we would be better off turning Covid control over to the raccoon that got loose at Republics. At least the raccoon gave the impression that it knew what it was doing.

  41. Anonymous says:

    UK Today

    “The UK Health Security Agency today announced the offshoot of Delta, known as AY.4.2 has been designated a variant under investigation due to it becoming increasingly common in the UK.”

    • Anonymous says:

      Why would anyone thumbs down your statement. That truly goes to demonstrate the level of love of money over love of people.

    • Foxhunter says:

      Exactly. After the Indians trumped the Kent variant with delta there was no way that Boris was going to take it lying down. His policy of having the UK running at 4 times the infection rate of neighbouring countries has paid off and the English now have a shiny new variant to sit at the top of the infectiousness rankings. Hurrah, the scientists told him this would happen and they were jolly right. Tally ho!

    • Anonymous says:

      Ask yourself where any new/offshoot variant comes from? Where did the virus find a fertile body to grow & change?
      Hint – an unvaccinated body.

    • Anonymous says:

      Get vaccinated

    • Anonymous says:

      I love how they stopped using the greek alphabet and now simply add superlatives like Plus, Extra and Mega. I’m waiting for the Excelsior. Sounds way more terrifying than waiting for Tau.

  42. Anonymous says:

    The Deputy Governor mentioned “gap analysis”. What they should be focusing on are the gaping holes that will lead to an explosion in Covid cases:

    1 – Government stated that they will accept as “vaccinated persons” anyone who has only had 1 dose of any Covid vaccine at any time. That is no different from accepting people who are not vaccinated at all.

    2 – There was no vaccine mandate announced for high traffic areas like bars and restaurants. Countries that have somewhat minimized death rates have put vaccine mandates in place and closely limited indoor occupancy. An example of this is Singapore.

    3 – They will use the ‘honour system’ for lateral flow testing. That makes as much sense as an ‘honour system’ for bank withdrawals. Some will abuse that approach and infect and kill others.

    4 – There was no mention of any requirement for Covid insurance for tourists meaning that the Cayman public will bear the cost of sick tourists while the hotel owners take the profits from hotel rentals.

    Not impressed.

    • Anonymous says:

      200% spot on!

    • Anonymous says:

      Since when does Cayman pay for tourists’ medical treatment?!

      • Anonymous says:

        Services are delivered to the ill without payment as a pre-condition. Government may look for payment later but for non-residents who recover and leave, and for non-residents who die, the costs of treatment are almost never recovered.

    • Anonymous says:

      I disagree with your #2, it’s pointless to limit Resturant’s to only vaccinated. Especially when they are considering the vaccinated to be only 1 dose.

    • Anonymous says:

      Turks and Caicos also have vaccinated people only in bars and restaurants.

  43. Anonymous says:

    I too dislike that these minister panelists windbag for 1.5hrs and then rudely cut off the vital question period. I never need to hear from Sabrina Turner or Franz Manderson ever again. Even Simon Boxall as monitor was interfering and cutting into questions. Who appointed him MC and why? Appalling. The whole meeting should have been 30 mins tops with time for questions. We don’t need to see your getaclue bulletpoint PowerPoint Franz, and we don’t need to hear about the application forms for a new handout regime Sabrina.

    • Anonymous says:

      Franz was clearly enjoying his 15 minutes of fame.
      Every thing about him screamed civil servant, too many words and repetitive mumbling , leading to no
      action.

    • Anonymous says:

      Because they knew they were going to be asked hard questions and they cannot handle it. This is the most inapt government these islands have ever seen. Between Wendy, Andrel and Resh, they knew they were going to bring the crucial questions that people wanted to know. They have no answers so they had to get out of there like a bat out of hell. It’s disgraceful, this government cares not for the people.

    • Anonymous says:

      @6:30pm

      I have to say though that it is a big upgrade from hearing Jon Jon read the the scriptures, refer all his questions to Dr. Lee to answer the tell us to say home in multiple languages that even the people from those countries couldn’t understand. I’m glad that horse and pony show is over.

      I agree that rather than the DG and Minister Turner going line by line, they could have presented a synopsis and give the details to the press to disseminate although that isn’t always a good idea either as the Cayman Compass proved yesterday when they reported that the USA would make the 60% vaccination list..They still have yet to retract that and probably doing it to drive to drive traffic to themselves..

      In my opinion what needs to happen now is that certain regulations need to be put in place before November 20 and these laws be gazetted and put in place so everyone knows what they are and what the penalties are for infractions.

      The decision around children being able to travel needs to be sorted out asap and before November 20. I know the lateral flow test are fairly new in the Governments arenal but if that is what we are going to use as the standard test here until a vaccine is approved then kids coming in or leaving with their families should be able to do the same.

    • Anonymous says:

      Typical CIG no matter who us in power. Talking in circles replaces common sense every time. No plan will be 100% fool proof, eventually someone is going to get sick and die. That is life before Covid and after. Much more likely to do die on the roads in Cayman than from Covid. Time to stop living in fear of everything.

  44. Anonymous says:

    How does this work for a tourist with a CDC card? Do we book a flight and hope that they accept what we have for documentation or do we submit our CDC card, wait for approval (and to whom?) and then book the flight?

    Not many options for flights, so please, this step is important.

    • Anonymous says:

      @6:27 The CBC here will be utilizing a portal where you can upload your information and get it approved prior to travelling.

    • Anonymous says:

      They haven’t yet figured that out as this is all new to them and all skill and experience has left the building. Give them another year. You might want to wait until the we all hate expats thing is over anyway.

    • Anonymous says:

      Book a flight somewhere else

  45. Anonymous says:

    We should not be welcoming foreigners until our own children can come and go from the island without 14 day quarantine. I will not forget this.

  46. Anonymous says:

    This is wonderful news. Just wish the last few things were finalized so that my family (all have booster shots) would be able to book flights. Without these things ironed out, we are still in the waiting process. We would like to travel over Christmas, so time is of the essence. We only have CDC cards. THANK YOU for getting rid of the quarantine period as we only have 7 days to travel. Long time visitors to your shores.

    • Beaumont Zodecloun says:

      Be safe.

      Be careful with us.

      Thank you!

      • Anonymous says:

        And, you please do the same when you travel to our country. We don’t want covid as much as you don’t want covid.
        Your triple vaxxed long time tourist.

    • Anonymous says:

      Thanking your masters for freedom.

      Everyones going to catch covid at some point, vaccinated or not.

      • Anonymous says:

        Only because government has chosen that fate for us. Cayman Brac, it is not to late to declare yourself separate from this shit show and require everyone coming to you, including Caymanians, to quarantine. That would keep you safe.

    • Anonymous says:

      You’re welcome, and hope you enjoy the holidays while the poor here face pestilence so you can have a great holiday

      • Anonymous says:

        There is no reason that the poor need to catch covid any more than the rich. The vaccination period has been going on for months. Get vaccinated. Wear a mask in high traffic areas. Wash your hands. These are simple covid protocols to follow to help you and your family remain safe.

        Covid is in the community already. Do not blame covid transmission on tourists when residents have been traveling for months and quarantine breaches have been ongoing. Masks have not been consistently worn and still, some have not been vaccinated which lower your chance of hospitalization or death.

      • Anonymous says:

        Get vaccinated.

      • Anonymous says:

        Pestilence??..is that you Izzy?

      • Anonymous says:

        A little dramatic. The world is open. Time to step out of the bubble.

      • Anonymous says:

        The vaccine is free.

      • Anonymous says:

        The poor here have made their own bed and now are complaining that you don’t want to sleep in it.

  47. Anonymous says:

    Hope no one dies before November 20. It is really time to open up.

    • Anonymous says:

      Judging by the trajectory of Covid in other countries that have opened with higher vaccination rates and more stringent controls in place than were announced today, it seems quite likely that we will have Covid funerals by Christmas. The politicians need to start working on the eulogies.

      • Anonymous says:

        There probably will not be much demand for eulogies by politicians who turned Covid loose in Cayman.

      • Anonymous says:

        Are also speaking about mass casualties of fully vaccinated people residing in Caymans, including politicians (i.e. the eulogers)?
        In essence, despite the higher vaccination numbers, you’re thinking it could still be a mass exodus?
        This is an interesting take…

    • Anonymous says:

      No doubt the dislikes are from the ‘open at any cost’ crowd who are indifferent about people dying.

      • Who is being selfish now? says:

        So you think it is OK to force a family into destitution and give up your basic human rights for a virus that kills 00.03% of the people it infects?

        I’d say you are being selfish.

      • Anonymous says:

        How many have died in Cayman since March 2020? And are you vaccinated to protect yourself?
        It’s not my job to ensure you are safe from COVID-19, I need to be respectful and diligent, but ultimately it’s your responsibility to ensure you don’t get seriously ill.
        Vaccines don’t necessarily stop infection, but they do stop serious illness and death, and whilst your at it, get the flu jab.

      • Anonymous says:

        You mean the ‘my body my choice’ people?

      • Anonymous says:

        No, I disliked it for the part about “time to open up”. It isn’t when we are pulling in double digits numbers of community cases a day.

    • Anonymous says:

      No one will die before then. Fully vaccinated people will commence international travel by November 20, 2021. The reason or conditions for which the government will open the borders in weeks, may be the same reasons they will, again, prolong the phase 4 reopening; that is, they haven’t quite gotten a firm hold on Covid & the number of cases will erupt before November 20. Let’s just hope this is not the case since many people are looking forward to greater numbers of fully vaccinated people, eased restrictions (especially, quarantine days), and borders reopen for all to travel abroad.
      Hopefully.

  48. Anonymous says:

    About Time!

    Welcome to 2021!

    • Anonymous says:

      It’s Covid Time!

    • Anonymous says:

      Hell yeah! Totally ignore rising cases in the UK! It’s time to party!

    • Anonymous says:

      I am so happy your wallet is happy now

      • Anonymous says:

        So what is you plan apart from making snide comments? Stay closed for the rest of 2021 and at least the first half of 2022? Are you really that blind that you don’t see the economic hardship, mental health issues being wrought on our society?
        I think the Governor summed it up in a post he did. “The time has come to move forward with our reopening and live with Covid. We can no longer stand still because the costs – economic, social and mental health – are mounting and will only rise further if we remain stuck.”

  49. Randall Flagg says:

    Pestilence soon come. Basing a policy on “we trust people to be honest about tests” is akin to believing the Brooklyn Bridge is for sale and that Arizona is on the Pacific Coast, which it will be once Mother Nature retakes the global coasts and islands like this one.

    • Beaumont Zodecloun says:

      The future you see isn’t written in stone, Flagg, but I can’t help being concerned that your vision isn’t valid.

      We apparently — in our vigor to welcome the world — believe that somehow OUR operations will result in a different outcome than virtually ALL the rest of the world.

  50. Anonymous says:

    They made a great announcement today…but they are still overthinking the plan. We are past the days of constant testing and quarantining.

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