14/01/2021

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From Thursday onwards, all travellers will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to travel.

The new requirement was announced by Premier Alden McLaughlin last week. He mentioned that the decision was taken as a response to the spread of new and more infectious variants of COVID-19 which have been found in 45 countries.

The last locally transmitted case was in October which involved a primary school student. Ever since October, the cases have been from travellers in quarantine who arrived to the island after the soft opening.

Cayman UK representative André Ebanks said “Thus far, though pre-flight testing adds to travel preparations, we have found travellers to be understanding of the rationale for new pre-flight testing requirements once they have up-to-date information.

“Therefore, to assist from the UK end, our office in partnership with our affiliate Cayman Connection has compiled and shared a link to a list of UK testing centres for ease of reference of returning Caymanians and residents and [the] link is available to the public via our website at www.cigouk.ky/negative-covid-test-required-before-entry-to-the-cayman-islands,” he said in his statement.

This week, the UK has also announced that it will be requiring pre-testing for all travellers, including those from British Overseas Territories.

Ebanks mentioned that they have been receiving many enquiries about flights post-January between London and Cayman. Travel Cayman hasn't released the approved dates yet.

“Though BA may be accepting post-January bookings, I’d also like to reiterate post-January flights have not been authorised by Government as yet and making such bookings with any airline on a flight that has not been authorised by Government will likely result in change fees at the traveller’s expense. However, we hope to receive confirmation about future approved BA flight dates shortly,’’ Ebanks added.