28/10/2020

---

Public Health Law amendments have been approved, which includes an increase in the fine for breach of isolation regulations from $1,000 to $10,000 and the prison term from six months to two years. In addition, people who breach regulations after a conviction will face $500 penalty for each day of infraction.

Since the reopening of Cayman’s border, travellers have been asked to self-quarantine upon their arrival. The approved travellers have the option of isolating at their homes, once their residences are cleared by government. All travellers have to wear an electronic monitoring wristband.

Opposition Leader Arden McLean argued that the penalties were excessive and that a fine of $3,000 would have sufficed.

“We are still in a crisis." he said, The pandemic is still raging and I believe the time has come to do bespoke legislation for this particular thing which will not require us to amend this piece of legislation to try to assist, because next week we may be coming back to amend another piece.”

Health Minister Dwayne Seymour  stated that Cayman opened its borders to travellers who have a high income bracket, “We believe that our people here in the Cayman Islands, as we’ve seen during COVID-19, are law-abiding and orderly citizens. What we have to be mindful of is the man or woman who arrives here who can easily afford to be at a hotel that costs them… $9,000 for quarantine. That $10,000 is a drop in the bucket,” he said.