Grand Cayman (GIS) – Cayman Islands leaders, at  the press conference today, Thursday, 26 March 2020 reported the extended curfew has so far worked smoothly and appealed to the public to continue following protocols as well as cooperating with the Police who were lauded for doing an exemplary job. The leaders also thanked the people and all the officials, businesses, employers and employees heeding Government’s advice and all the health protocols.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. John Lee said:

·         Further 48 samples tested have negative results. These 48 include both cases from Health City Cayman and Health Services Authority (HSA).

Premier, Hon. Alden McLaughlin said:

·         A set of regulations for Shelter in Place provisions are being finalised and will be announced tomorrow for the period from 5 am Saturday to Friday, 3 April, following the end of the present extended curfew in place until 5 am Saturday.

·         The Attorney General will attend tomorrow’s press conference to talk specifically about the Regulations being finalised.

·         The Shelter in Place will be less restrictive as the current curfew and people will be able to move about for exercise, walking pets and to travel to essential services during the daytime hours of 5 am to 7 pm.   A list of essential services will be provided following the publication of the Regulations on www.gov.ky/coronavirus and will include supermarkets, pharmacies, medical facilities, banks and others.

·         However, curfew from 7pm to 5 am daily will continue to be strictly enforced by the Police.

·         During curfew restaurants continue to be restricted to delivery only and will continue to have until 9 pm to complete home deliveries of ordered food.

·         Premier appealed to all to continue cooperating so the Islands can return to a semblance of normalcy at the earliest.

·         He clarified individual strata premises are not public places and as such will be allowed to walk pets there but not on the streets with the extended curfew in place.

His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Martyn Roper said:

·         Out of 160 local testing results, only one result was found inconclusive, which speaks volumes for the accuracy of the local testing process that Public Health England helped establish locally.

·         The Islands can have confidence in the robust measures put in place by Government.

Health Minister, Hon. Dwayne Seymour said:

·         For a population of some 65,000, the Cayman Islands have 40 ventilators in stock and more are coming.  This is more per capita than many larger countries.

Police Commissioner Derek Byrne said:

·         The curfew is by and large being followed well by the community and the Police are working from a “very stable platform”.

·         He reported only two burglaries overnight as crime incidents.

·         Regarding the extended curfew last night on Grand Cayman, 30 vehicles were stopped for being in breach, two persons arrested and four warned for prosecution.

·         On Cayman Brac last night, 12 vehicles were stopped, two persons were in breach and the rest were essential staff.

·         Today, from 5 am to 2 pm, 55 vehicles were stopped, 10 were in breach and warned for prosecution.

·         Commissioner appealed for complete cooperation.

·         Normal patrols have been bolstered with additional mobile patrols in all districts, including personnel from Customs and Border Control, WORC and Special Constabulary.

·         To report all breaches of curfew, people should use 911.

Deputy Governor, Hon. Franz Manderson said civil servants working from home was going well and were continuing to provide the public with services. Government’s robust business continuity plans were working.