Omicron fuels new rules on COVID testing

| 13/12/2021 | 120 Comments
New HSA COVID-19 testing and vaccine clinic

(CNS): Government has published new regulations that take effect on Friday, 17 December, which reduce the COVID-19 testing window for arriving passengers and people travelling to the Sister Islands. Travellers must now present a negative test result for COVID-19 that is no more than 24 hours old before boarding a plane where a transit or layover is no more than twelve hours when indirectly bound for Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac or Little Cayman.

Passengers can, however, take a certified rapid test as well as a PCR test. “The measures are a response to the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus,” officials said.

Meanwhile, the Health Services Authority’s testing and vaccination clinic has relocated to 131 MacLendon Drive, next to DHL and behind Foster’s Airport. The Covid-19 testing clinic for certified lateral flow and PCR tests, started today, Monday, 13 December. The vaccination service begins tomorrow, Tuesday 14 December.

The walk-in clinic is open Monday through Friday 7:30am to noon, Saturdays from 10am to noon, Sundays 10am to 2om, and public holidays 10am to noon.

The HSA said the new location provides a larger indoor space, allowing staff and patients to have a better, more comfortable experience. Testing and vaccination clinics will still have separate areas. 

“This space was previously occupied by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Older Persons Active Ageing Centre (OPAAC), which is currently not operational in the facility due the latest COVID-19 community spread,” said HSA CEO Lizzette Yearwood.

“On behalf of HSA and Public Health, I’d like to thank DCFS for the opportunity to utilize their space, as it came at an ideal time as Cayman expands the COVID-19 booster programme to persons 18 years and over and reducing the time frame between doses to help better protect ourselves against the latest Omicron variant. Moving the PCR and certified LFT testing off the main hospital campus will also allow HSA to continue our facility improvement plans.” 

Medical Officer of Health Dr Samuel Williams-Rodriguez encouraged everyone over the age of 18 to get vaccinated.

“With the new Omicron variant beginning to spread worldwide, it is even more important to ensure you are fully protected from a vaccination standpoint. With COVID-19 still in the community, I encourage everyone to continue with wearing a mask, keeping a safe social distance from other people and practicing proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. With lateral flow tests more readily available, persons can also take routine tests to screen for COVID-19,” he added.

While there has been no confirmation yet that the Omicron variant has arrived in the Cayman Islands, the new strain has been confirmed in more than two dozen states in the US, including Florida, and is spreading rapidly in the UK.

The UK recorded its first confirmed death from the Omicron variant on Monday and new rules are now being rolled out in the country in an effort to reduce the inevitable pressure on the NHS, as hospitals begin filling up again. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has described the spread as “the sheer pace at which [Omicron] accelerates through the population”.

See the latest regulations here and here.

CIG COVID-19 information and resources

Other help and hotlines

Report positive lateral flow test results

See current vaccine and testing schedule

An Isolation Support Line is available to help by delivering groceries or other essential supplies for people required to isolate suddenly, and who do not have other resources and support.

For Isolation Support call 946-3530 or 1-800-534-3530 or email isolationsupport@gov.ky

Operational hours 9am-4pm, Monday to Friday, and 9am-1pm on Saturday.

For mental health support, the Mental Health Helpline can be reached on
1-800-534-6463(MIND) from Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm

If you have flu symptoms contact the 24-hour Flu Hotline at 1-800-534-8600 or 947-3077
or email flu@hsa.ky

If you are having difficulty breathing, call 911


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Category: Health, Medical Health

Comments (120)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Let’s not kid ourselves. Omicron is here no matter what the Government is trying to deny or cover up.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Another knee-jerk reaction by Government. 🙄

    Yes, this new variant is more contagious than Delta but it is also less severe than Delta.

    • Anonymous says:

      less severe? off 2 weeks of data, when the virus takes 2-4 weeks to start hospitalizing and killing people.

      Way to early to tell the severity of Omicron, and there is evidence of being able to catch both strains at the same time

      • Anonymous says:

        Take a look at the numbers coming from South Africa. Daily deaths have fallen despite an increase in cases. Even after accounting for the lag you’ve pointed out. I think there is reason for cautious optimism with Omicron

    • Anonymous says:

      How do we know this is accurate information? Every government site I google search says a PCR test 72 hours before departure. WTH. If I didn’t read the newspaper, how the heck would I know they changed the policy?

  3. Anonymous says:

    https://cvshealth.com/covid-19/testing-information

    See link. Test is free, drive through, results in 30 minutes if you wait, within a day if you wait for the e mail instead. And whilst website says it’s not available to people outside the US, it is available to non US citizens inside the US.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Why oh why would CIG exempt aircraft and ship crew from being vaccinated? The US airlines mandate vaccination for aircrew. The cruise lines make a big show of saying all their crew are vaccinated ( and given they are flag of convenience flagged not a lot of opportunity for crew to say no!). So why? Stupidity? Or special interest? CAL crew? Those fishing vessels that pop in here? Why?

    • Anonymous says:

      Air crew and Marine crew have been exempt vaccination and isolation in MANY countries w\throughout this pandemic…WHY so that goods keep moving like the food on your table! Be thankful this is the case in most places!

      As for flags of convince you know nothing….Ship crews have been able to get vaccinated all over the world via marine clinics.

  5. anon says:

    the testing regime in place is not fir for purpose.
    my wife had to wait over an hour at health city for an LFT without social distancing. When you enter Cayman the paperwork does not say what times any of the testing centres are open for !! numerous phone calls made and some didnt even do the LFT.
    My son arrives soon and ha snow had to change his pre testing for another 100 pounds. what happens christmas day or boxing day will the amount of testing centres be available ?
    Fiasco and once visitors know what is going on they will just not bother

  6. Anonymous says:

    If the government allows the cruise ship while at the same time tightening the rules for all other travels this is the height of hypocrisy and frankly betrays the fact that they are beholden to special interest who would rather sell a few schlocky t-shirts than control the spread of coronavirus.

    Whatever your views on covid, i.e. you don’t care and think the restrictions are overkill, or think we are not doing enough to stop the spread, it’s plain the double-standards are ridiculous and it’s obvious that the risk of allowing thousands of cruise ships to enter the island for a couple of hours in exchange for minimal benefit is utterly foolish.

    • Anonymous says:

      The government had to change the system to rapid antigen to allow cruise ships…This was planned the day they said test to cruise passengers.

      This allows people to do certified eMed rapid tests via video and get certified results in 15 minutes to travel to Cayman just like they do on cruise ships.

  7. tom says:

    But if you are on a cruise ship you can have your test 4-5 days before arrival (2 days prior to embarkation) and then you can spend 3 of those days surrounded by an unknown number of unvaccinated crew, who are handling your cutlery and your beverages, cooking your food and cleaning your room. Meanwhile, the tourists who actually come and and spend money are cancelling their trips. I know this first hand as right now my vacation rentals are losing bookings daily.
    Great Job Team CIG, WRT to policy: How about don’t just blindly copy whatever regulation you hear about. What we end up with is a collection of everybody’s regulations which ends up being too many rules and too confusing, and our tourists decide to go elsewhere. Meanwhile we all know community spread is the real problem.

    • Anonymous says:

      Just stop the hysteria. Everyone in Cayman and Cruise ships are vaccinated, if this is your main concern.

      • Anonymous says:

        Vaccination does little against Omicron unless you’re boosted and even then the data isn’t entirely clear.

        It’s not hysteria, it’s just stupid to allow cruise ships with relaxed rules while at the same time tightening up the rules for air arrivals.

      • Anonymous says:

        Clearly everyone in Cayman isn’t vaccinated. And you can’t argue with the facts – the government has passed a regulation that gives a pass to crew of all vessels and aircraft. I am sure that the more responsible carriers will ensure their crew are vaccinated, but y there is nothing to say that they must be. One wonders why government would do that – some CAL staff unwilling to be backed perhaps?

      • tom says:

        Hysteria? Don’t comment if you don’t read. There are two issues presented here. The first is the regulations on overnight tourism are excessive and tourists are opting to go elsewhere because of it. The second issue is the regulations to enter Cayman from a cruise ship are much more lenient, yet the ‘plan’ moving forward was to focus on the overnight tourist and not the cruise ship passengers. (PS while there is a high rate of vaccination in Cayman, everyone is NOT vaccinated)

      • n says:

        Fort Lauderdale, Florida – 26 Dec. – 16:00
        Half Moon Cay, Bahamas 27 Dec. – 08:00 27 Dec. – 17:00
        Ocho Rios, Jamaica 29 Dec. – 07:00 29 Dec. – 16:00
        George Town, Grand Cayman 30 Dec. – 08:00 30 Dec. – 17:00
        Cozumel, Mexico 31 Dec. – 13:00 31 Dec. – 22:00
        Fort Lauderdale, Florida 02 Jan. – 07:00

        So this ship departs from and returns to Ft. Lauderdale, FLA. On its official itinerary, George Town is not the first port of call.
        Furthermore, Gov DeSantis in Fla has made his policy clear about prohibiting all cruise lines from mandating vaccination for passengers, despite actually losing the relevant court case on this. But Holland America coming to George Town will have unvaccinated passengers. Here is a quote from their rules:
        It is recommended that unvaccinated guests maintain physical distancing as follows:
        Indoors – Remain at least 6 feet from others not in your cruise companion group. As such, we encourage you to take the stairs whenever possible, if you are able to do so.
        Outdoors – Remain at least 3 feet from others when not wearing a mask and not in your cruise companion group
        Here is the link: https://www.carnival.com/legal/covid-19-legal-notices/covid-19-guest-protocols
        Carnival owns Holland America

  8. Anonymous says:

    With the reduced airlift of Cayman Airways, it is not possible to reach Cayman without an overnight in Miami.

    There are no connections with a less than 12 hour layover in Miami.

    • Anonymous says:

      which makes it easier for testing, you can take your test the day before your initial flight.

    • Anonymous says:

      Not flying CAL

    • Anonymous says:

      Depends on where you are coming from.

    • Anon says:

      So true. I am flying from France to Miami via London. Arrive in Miami at 7:30 pm (2hrs in immigration) so out of the airport at 9ish. Flight to Cayman not until 10am the following day (more than 12hrs i”in transit”) No time nor place to get another test before departure from Miami

  9. Anonymous says:

    Omicron is highly infectious in any environment and is the perfect virus for cruise ships. In that type of a crowded environment it will spread like crazy. I wonder how many Omicron infected cruise tourists will be arriving in less than 2 weeks?

  10. Anonymous says:

    For those of you with travel already booked you have my sympathy. Nevertheless, the new requirement makes sense in light of what we know about the omicron variant and mirrors requirements already put in place by several countries including the UK and the US. Testing results turnaround and costs in the US will vary, so hop on to your Google search device. As a last resort check whether your airport offers rapid PCR testing. Miami International airport apparently still does.

    • Anonymous says:

      Please don’t wait to test at MIA, my CAL flight was 90 minutes late waiting for passenger test results.

  11. Anonymous says:

    Is it everyone going to the Sister Islands that need to be tested or just the unvaccinated?

  12. Anonymous says:

    This is as confusing as travel time.

  13. Anonymous says:

    This is ridiculous and absolutely hard to find a 24hr turnaround test in the USA. Goodbye

    • Anonymous says:

      Good riddance

    • Anonymous says:

      7;22 pm, U S A has put the same thing in place, must have a negative VIRUS test no more than 24 hours to enter U S

      • Anonymous says:

        The difference is millions aren’t trying to get results in Cayman or on small islands. Very hard to get results in 24 hours in large countries.

    • Anonymous says:

      No it’s not. Get it at a CVS. And it’s free. Got my results within 8 hours. And travel the whole day following the day of the test is possible. It’s the same standard being applied by many countries so stop whining.

      • Anonymous says:

        Average turnaround time for receiving results from lab tests is 1-2 days.
        Average turnaround time for receiving results from lab tests is 1-2 days.
        Average turnaround time for receiving results from lab tests is 1-2 days.
        Average turnaround time for receiving results from lab tests is 1-2 days.

        • Anonymous says:

          You can say it all you like. Got mine from a drive through at CVS in 8 hours. And they promised delivery within 24.

      • Anonymous says:

        what kind of test was it? Was it accepted by CI government?

        • Anonymous says:

          Lateral flow. We weren’t flying here – going to Antigua- but it had a QR code so assume would be accepted. Of course it would help if the HSA clarified who provided accepted tests rather than specifying the scientific accuracy limits, which clinics don’t tend to mention.

      • Anonymous says:

        Are you saying it is for travel? Everywhere I call asks if I have insurance and gives me a set price for a rapid antigen test. All have been $200 plus. Trying to come up with a way I can schedule an advance for a reason they will pay for without jinxing myself

    • Anonymous says:

      I’m in the US and I get my PCR results in 10 hours or less for free. If I want results in 1-hour, I can pay $100.

  14. Anonymous says:

    Can the government tell tourists exactly what they need for testing? It is not very clear. Flying shortly and need to understand what to call around to clinics and ask for. The PCR in 72 hrs. Is standard and doable. A test in 24 hours is most likely not unless it is self administered and I realize that is not what they are looking for. Please some clarity.

    • Sheriff says:

      Rapid tests are accepted – this is cc’d from the government site

      ““accepted test” means an antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic test for the virus —
      (a) which has a sensitivity of at least eighty per cent and a specificity of at least ninety-seven per cent; and which is recommended or approved for use by a national public health agency of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica or Canada”

      It goes on to say this info must be included in the printed test result “…the name and address of the approved laboratory or registered provider where the test was provided…”

      Now the issue is making sure the rapid tests available to travelers meets these requirements.

      • Anonymous says:

        Just read the above to the covid specialist at my employment. They are not quite sure where I could go for all that sensitivity to be listed. She doesn’t believe we have a testing facility that lists that.

  15. Anonymous says:

    Government has not yet figured out that passing regulations is pointless when there is no enforcement whatsoever. Guess if you are a politician who does not comply with any law unless it is convenient that point may not be obvious.

  16. Guido Marsupio says:

    CNS: No, the links still do not work for me. Maybe my security settings or something on their end. Hard to tell.

  17. Anonymous says:

    This does make things tougher coming to Cayman if you have to overnight somewhere because of connections. If I fly from say, Western Canada or the US, and have to overnight in Miami, I would somehow have to get a test in the Miami airport.

    Just another source of travel anxiety. 2 days would make more practical sense.

    • Anonymous says:

      It’s easy to get in the Miami airport. I did it had results in 20 minutes.

    • Anonymous says:

      Is it the Rapid test supervised that is now needed? Confused.

    • Anonymous says:

      They don’t do testing in the airports. It’s nonsense to make this many hoops. Good luck finding a place that’ll test for less than 100 with a 24hr turnaround

      • Anonymous says:

        I see one test in 24 hours for $255. Add that for the medical insurance $125. The LFT for $90 . The airfare over $1,000. The hotel over $4,000. We will be packing our own food or starving. Can’t afford anymore. Times this all by 4. The rental car is definitely getting cancelled. Maybe the trip.

        • Caymanian says:

          All for a strain that has milder symptoms than Delta … really, I believe FEAR will kill the goose that lays the golden eggs if we don’t have no real faith and we continue to follow western media / governments… how they see science. I hate to say it, but its true.

      • Anonymous says:

        Flight is at 5:15 a.m. Don’t think testing will be open then. We are out of luck.

      • Anonymous says:

        More like $300. That’s what we are being quoted in Tampa. This is ridiculous. I guess they are trying to make good on their promises to the Tourism sector by “opening the border” but also trying to please those in the community who are frightened of their own shadow so the impose ridiculous hard to obtain and very expensive hoops to jump through.

      • Anonymous says:

        Rapid certified testing is offered at Miami International airport.

      • Anonymous says:

        Miami airport has two testing places.

        https://news.miami-airport.com/covid-19-testing-available-daily-at-mia-starting-may-21/

        Most airports do. I know Dallas does as well.

      • Anonymous says:

        Try CVS – we did to leave the US to go to Antigua. Free and results in 8 hrs.

        • Anonymous says:

          What do you ask for? What is it exactly that we need in 24 hrs? Sorry to sound stupid, just confused by the terminology.

          • Anonymous says:

            Rapid antigen (lateral flow) test. Unlike the PCR test doesn’t need expensive lab equipment and a tech to work – but like a pregnancy test you see the results in about 5 minutes. The time delay is in getting the paperwork to certify you had the test. The problem is that HSA says the test has to be a test kit to certain specifications. Labs offering tests just tend to offer a LFT test – they dont tend to specify the parameters. So you could get a test then find out it wasn’t accepted by HSA and off to qu you go.

            • Anonymous says:

              Hell no, i won’t go. After all this, I would rather pay another couple hundred and head to JA instead of QU

    • Anonymous says:

      Uber to CVS.

  18. Guido Marsupio says:

    Regarding “See the latest regulations here and here.”

    Those links have been broken for days.

    Error message of “Failure of Web Server bridge: No backend server available for connection: timed out after 10 seconds or idempotent set to OFF or method not idempotent.”

    C’mon, CIG. Get your act together.

    CNS: I just checked them and the links are OK. Do they work for you now?

  19. Anonymous says:

    Another change in the policy. TBH, this is getting to be too much. I feel like cancelling the whole trip. Booked the holiday when it was just the CDC card that was being accepted and then the medical insurance was added, then the 3 LFT tests were added. Now, instead of getting a PCR test 3 days in advance of departure which in the US is hard enough to get the results back, we are supposed to pull a test results within 24 hours? PCR, LFT it does not really matter. There are thousands plus getting tested up here. I should have followed others and just booked another destination where there was limited protocols to travel, but no, wanted to give GC our business as long time repeat travelers and this is what we get. We are paying more and the frustration is over the top. Hope the sunset is worth it when all said and done….if we even get there….if we can get our test results in time….which is almost a probably not. We are all triple vaxxed by the way.

  20. Anonymous says:

    Wise decision. The National Football League in America reported 37 new Covid cases today. The mutation is also spreading in the NBA now, which proves even the wealthy are at risk

  21. Anonymous says:

    I wonder if government is paying attention to more than the profits before people lobby – some governments are:

    “California will impose a statewide mask mandate in all indoor public spaces as Covid-19 case rates soar as the new Omicron variant spreads, state Secretary of Health and Human Services Mark Ghaly said on Monday.”

  22. Anonymous says:

    Someone told me that the 1000 or so crew members on the cruise ship that is arriving around Christmas time are exempt from the regulations designed to limit the spread of Covid. I did not believe it so I looked it up and sure enough there it is in section 8 of the the November regulations – money for some before the health of all.

    https://legislation.gov.ky/cms/images/LEGISLATION/SUBORDINATE/2021/2021-0076/ControlofCovid-19TravelRegulations2021_SL%2076%20of%202021.pdf

    • Anonymous says:

      This cruise ship can just walk on in, but the overnight guest has to pull all the punches, the aggravation, the tests, the medical insurance. So ridiculous.

      • Anonymous says:

        AND the stayover tourists are the ones that we want.
        SMH what is wrong with this government????

    • Anonymous says:

      Unbelievable!!!! According to the regulations they don’t even have to be vaccinated let alone show a negative test. Front line expose to the public, higher risk, but no restrictions whatsoever. What genius came up with that? I get that aircraft crew practically can’t get an LFT every single day, but not even vaccinated?

  23. Anonymous says:

    We need more than rules, we need disciplined people and enforcement. All these reckless crowded Christmas parties (yes even government departments) unnecessary hugging and kissing is just plain reckless and stupid.

    • Anonymous says:

      You can stay home! The rest of us don’t have to live fearful.

      • Beaumont Zodecloun says:

        Nobody is talking about living fearful. Life has changed. If you want to throw caution to the wind, you should understand that your behaviour threatens others. This will likely attenuate in a few years or sooner.

        Surely we can all act responsibly until the virus is relegated to the same place as the seasonal flu or the common cold. Lets just hold on a little longer, and keep in mind that we will all be old with various comorbidities eventually.

        Nobody is saying we can’t party. We can party and have fun and get blasted and maybe, just maybe have a mind toward keeping our distance from others. Most of us are vaccinated. That doesn’t make us bulletproof. The Omicron variant has not yet been fully quantified.

        The CMO from Germany indicated that it might actually be the cure for Covid-19, in that it is more transmissible, but less deadly. Let us all hope for that and in the meantime, let’s have fun, enjoy the holidays, ring in the New Year like no other, but be mindful of the safety of others who shouldn’t be rushed to their end.

    • Anonymous says:

      What about the necessary hugging and kissing?

  24. Anonymous says:

    So what does that mean for the floating Omicron factory that is arriving in 2 weeks. Will the Minister be there with a backup band and a ‘Welcome Omicron’ sign?

    • Anonymous says:

      It won’t be arriving in 2 weeks. That is what you all said on Nov. 20 and the tourists proved you wrong. Worry about the local Christmas parties and social gatherings and stop worrying about the tourist.

  25. Anonymous says:

    CNN says

    “One in every 100 seniors in the United States has died of Covid-19, according to federal data.

    More than three-quarters of people who have died from Covid-19 were 65 or older, with at least 514,000 deaths in this age group since the start of the pandemic, according to data from the US Centers from Disease Control and Prevention.”

  26. Anonymous says:

    UK is adopting sensible restrictions –

    “Night clubs in England will have to ask revellers who prefer using their Covid pass to gain entry instead of doing a lateral flow test to show proof that they have had a booster jab as part of future plans, the British health secretary has said.”

  27. Anonymous says:

    Perhaps we should follow Norway’s example –

    “Norway will ban the serving of alcohol in bars and restaurants, impose stricter rules in schools and speed up vaccination as part of new efforts to curb the outbreak of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, the government said on Monday.”

  28. Anonymous says:

    Sounds appropriate. Sensible governments and sensible people everywhere are taking Omicron seriously.

    “The World Health Organization has said that the Omicron coronavirus variant poses a “very high” global risk, having reached over 60 countries, while it remains unclear for the moment how much vaccines can protect against it.

    Ontario has directed government staff, who started gradually returning to their offices in November, to go back to working from home at least until early-February, CTV news reported Monday.

    The University of Victoria in the provimce of British Columbia announced on Sunday that it will be moving its in-person exams online from Monday after a rise in Covid-19 cases on Vancouver Island.”

  29. Anonymous says:

    How many facilities does Government have rented? Rhetorical. More everyday!!?? Why bother to build any public facilities? Rent from friends and family!!

  30. Anonymous says:

    will it be open Christmas day? that is a day we need a supervised LFT. I can’t get a straight answer, was only told, watch the news locations and times will be announced.

    Come on, Christmas is less than 2 weeks out.

    • Anonymous says:

      So far, only the new HSA location behind Foster’s Airport has confirmed they will be open for testing on Christmas and holidays, 10-2 pm. Will be a miserable way to spend Christmas morning with crowds competing for tests. Thank you CIG.

    • Anonymous says:

      The HSA facility is open on public holidays, but only between 10 and 12 so get there early – you will be queuing with everyone else from the flights 2,5 and 10 days before, and the private sector facilities will be shut.

  31. Anonymous says:

    Wish they would say ‘24 hours’ it a day before… better to be clear. Also the 80% and 70% guidance of the lft instead of pcr as a pre test is silly… no test providers in the uk and other places list the sensitivity and other factors % in the test descriptions.

    • Anonymous says:

      I’ve had 5 LFT in the last 4 weeks in the US and not one listed the sensitivity. Coming to Cayman in 2 weeks. Will never be able to get a PCR test in 24 hrs out. Will they accept a LFT test that does not list the sensitivity? How can I find out?

  32. Anonymous says:

    Why is the vaccination and testing happening at the same site?? Seems a recipe for more infections.

  33. Anonymous says:

    24 hours or the day before? Makes a difference..

  34. Anonymous says:

    People who already had travel booked (uni students and all the kids at school comming home for xmas) now have to rebook tests for the end of the year – great timing!

    Also, 24 hours means you have to pay for express results – its like 100 bucks more (at least). COVID went from public health to draining our bank accounts real quick.

    Dont even get me started on tourists.

    • Anonymous says:

      It’s all ridiculous and following the nutjobs in America is a disaster!

      • Anonymous says:

        It’s one thing when a few plane loads need a PCR/ LFT to depart, it’s a totally different thing when millions of people are testing for covid, travel, close contact. There is no easy way to get test results back in 24 hours in the US.
        3 day test results are the norm and it is late in the evening on the 3rd day. Kiss tourism goodbye if this is the rule to fly to Cayman. It is just not possible in most US states to do especially those with high populations or high covid rates.

  35. Anonymous says:

    The UK reported its first death with Omicron NOT from Omicron.

  36. Anonymous says:

    “Passengers can, however, take a certified rapid test as well as a PCR test”

    Is this supposed to be instead of PCR? Not sure why we would choose to do both.

  37. Sheriff says:

    When is CIG going to share exactly which “certified rapid test” will be accepted? Sort of important information to share, don’t you think?

    I also wonder when they will update the CIG website with Phase 4 rules: As of a few moments ago it still read:

    “For those travelling to, from or through countries from which travel is restricted, PCR testing is required within 72 hours prior to travel date for all travellers age 4 and older and again within 24 hours of arrival in the Cayman Islands.”

    “For other travellers, required within 72 hours prior to travel date for all travellers age 4 and older.”

  38. Anonymous says:

    hopefully the testing will get sorted. at Health city camana bay on Saturday, and it was a mess. tourists were trying to get a simple test to get off island, and staff did not know what to do. when calling I
    health city, they had said the hours for the government testing was 12 to 7, but in actual fact it was 9 to 5. people were scurrying over as other places were closed as well. they also had 47 people in a space that could probably hold 15 comfortably. the American traveler were not happy I can tell you that

    • Anonymous says:

      I was at Shetty recently for a PCR. They inserted the q tip thingie into BOTH nostrils AS WELL AS the throat. What?!!! “We’ve been told to do this”.

  39. Brent Buckner says:

    CNS: As I read the Regulation the test must be “no earlier than the day prior to the departure of the person’s
    flight to the Islands” – so the test could be more than 24 hours old before boarding. For example, people on the 7:45pm flight from MIA on Saturday could take their tests any time on Friday, they don’t have to wait until past 7:45pm on Friday.

  40. Anonymous says:

    That should just about kill off any hope of tourism and jobs. Well done CIG, keep inflating your payroll and debt while the residents suffer extreme inflation and loss of income.

    Good luck to everyone left, buy a good burglar alarm and avoid going out after dark. Goodbye

  41. Anonymous says:

    In the meantime, people are constantly ignoring mask and social distancing mandates here and no one does a thing. So why zing travelers with extra burden?

  42. Anonymous says:

    It would be nice if CIG can provide a bit of an update on their thinking and possible scenarios:

    1. Will at some point “fully vaccinated” mean 2 primaries and 1 booster?

    2. Any possible scenario for on arrival quarantine to be put in place for double vaxxed? Temporarily have this on southern Africa (which is now meaningless as Omicron is global now, with probably greater prevalence in Europe now).

    3. Lots of people are starting to fly away for Xmas. Any potential scenario for arrival policy changes in the intervening period until January 5th so that departing people can prepare?

    4. Has the cabinet all been boosted?

  43. Anonymous says:

    Putting aside the possible unpleasant health outcomes of breakthrough illness, our household doesn’t want to risk being quarantined for weeks due to a random encounter with a thoughtless kamikaze positive contact. That avoidable hassle is what we would hope others would be focusing on while circulating in the community. Despite Public Health Orders, there’s still no distancing, masking indoors seems to be optional, and no demonstrable ticketing effort by Rcips. When will we start factoring the economic disruption risk of mass illness/absenteeism more seriously?

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