News

GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands --  Premier, the Honorable Alden McLaughlin announces more measures put in place by Cabinet today to limit and control the spread of COVID-19.

With hundreds of Caymanian students returning home from overseas study, the Premier raised concerns about the impact on their families and loved ones, since the students and anyone they contact need to be in isolation in order to contain the spread of Covid 19.

Of particular concern?  The impact on essential services personnel like firemen, nurses, doctors and police officers.

The Government and the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) are organising accommodation at a local hotel to accommodate students who need a place to self-isolate for 14 days at no cost.  If an arriving student and his or her family choose, the student can self-isolate at home but the entire family will need to do the same.  

Government has also organised a similar free stay at another hotel for 14 days for essential services personnel who are family of returning students, should they feel the need to use such a separate residence from their returning students and their other family members, to be able to do their jobs.

The Premier thanked the key partners for providing this service in conjunction with the Government, describing it as “another stellar example of public-private sector partnership, one of the foundations for Cayman's continuing success.”

Premier McLaughlin advised students and essential persons who need the accomodation to call NEOC on 1-800-534-6555.

Also today, the Premier announced he spent several hours on a conference call Wednesday morning with Baroness Suggs, the UK Overseas Territories Minister and representatives from the other Overseas Territories (OTs). Mr. McLaughlin says he is reassured to learn that the UK is sourcing additional essential equipment and supplies and that whatever the UK Government can do to assist the OTs will be done.  

The Premier also said the UK want to see air-bridge between the UK and its overseas territories maintained and that the UK and the Cayman Islands are working together to ensure that occurs.  Mr. McLaughlin believes thatCayman should be able to use Cayman Airways jets or the Saab aircraft to distribute equipment, personnel, medications and the like to the other OTs. 

A one time emergency emergency COVID 19 stipend will be made on Tuesday 31 st March 2020 of $600 per person to anyone who operates a 15-seater bus, taxi or tour bus or dual taxi-tour bus and water sports. The funds are to assist with their losses during the one month closure of the airport.  Additional tourism sector groups may be added but that hasn’t been decided at this time.

Officials applauded a Butterfield Bank to introduce a three-month automatic payment deferral programme for all residential mortgages and personal loans in good standing. Government is hoping that other banks will follow their example and Mr. McLaughlin urged persons

who would benefit from a deferral to contact their bank to make the necessary arrangements.

The CICSA Credit Union is working with its customers to provide waivers of payment or refinancing and members who want to avail themselves of this service are to call (345) 949 8415 and speak to one of the loan officers.

Hon. Joey Hew, Minister for Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure verified that the Government is in contact with the Small Business Association and the Chamber of Commerce to agree on tangible solutions to support businesses during this unprecedented time.

Mr. Hew announced the fast-tracking of the Cayman Islands Centre for Business Development.

The Centre will begin providing services on Monday 23 rd March, 2020.

The centre will provide training to cover areas such as:

Smart Measures for Business Continuity

Best Practices for Handling a Cash Flow Crisis

Conducting a Business Impact Analysis

Business Model Innovation

Social Media Marketing

Online Freelancing Opportunities

The Centre will work with small businesses to prepare them for renegotiating existing loans with commercial banks or to request and access a period of moratorium on loans.

Bearing in mind the importance of social distancing, the Centre will operate by appointment only. To make an appointment call (345) 244-3451 or (345) 244-2498 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 pm and (345) 926-5771 up to 10:00 pm.

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