1. Cayman Islands is prepared to deal with what is now Hurricane Delta, which currently has maximum sustained winds of 80 mph.
2. Persons in quarantine for COVID-19 are taken care of to ensure their safety during the passage of Hurricane Delta.
3. All are advised to stay home and practise caution.

Grand Cayman (GIS) – Government leaders, at a press conference today, Monday, 5 October, 2020 briefed the Cayman Islands about preparations underway, as well as the possible impact of now Hurricane Delta, the 25^th named storm of a highly active 2020 Hurricane Season. The Cayman Islands is currently under a Tropical Storm Warning.

CI Government offices closed at 4 p.m. today (Monday, 5 October 2020), to reopen on Wednesday morning (7 October 2020). That decision was taken by the National Hazard Management Council this morning. Council members also heard that the newly formed Tropical Storm Delta had shifted direction and slowed overnight, pushing back the timing of the arrival of tropical storm conditions to the Cayman Islands area.

The leaders at the press conference urged people to get their information only from the official sources on www.gov.ky, www.caymanprepared.ky and www.weather.gov.ky as well as to tune into Radio Cayman.

Government leaders addressing the press conference were His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Martyn Roper, Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin, Minister Hon. Tara Rivers, Deputy Governor Hon. Franz Manderson as well as Director General of Weather Services, Mr. John Tibbetts and Director of Hazard Management Cayman Islands, Ms Danielle Coleman.

All fifteen (15) shelters in Grand Cayman are ready for activation if required and shelter teams have been placed on standby. The Red Cross shelter is open at 7pm. Similarly, the Ashton Ruddy civic centre in Cayman Brac and Public Works Department building in Little Cayman are both on standby to be used as public shelters if needed.

The 247 people in COVID-19 quarantine in government facilities and the 79 in home isolation are being monitored closely by the authorities, including shopping for some who needed supplies from supermarkets.

For all details of the Government response to the storm, visit www.gov.ky and stay tuned to local media, including www.radiocayman.gov.ky. For the latest weather information persons should visit www.weather.gov.ky. Information on severe weather preparedness is available from www.caymanprepared.gov.ky.

The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) call taking centre will be activated from 9pm this evening. Individuals with non-urgent enquiries about the storm can call 949-6555. Emergency calls should still be directed to 911 for fire, police or EMS dispatch.

The NEOC and Hazard Management Cayman Islands are monitoring the conditions overnight. People should stay tuned to the official websites and local media for overnight developments.

For the leaders’ remarks, please see sidebars below.

Sidebar: Premier Reassures Cayman Ready to Deal with Tropical Storm

The Atlantic Hurricane season this year has already proved to have been “above normal.”

So many powerful storms have formed over the Atlantic since the season began that for only the second time the US National Hurricane Centre has used all of the approved names for storms, and we’re now using letters from the Greek alphabet to name any new storms hence Tropical Storm Delta.

Thanks to Director General of the Cayman Islands National Weather Service, John Tibbetts for the latest update on Tropical Storm Delta. I urge everyone to follow the advice provided and to get regular updates by tuning into official news sources such as Radio Cayman, gov.ky and the government’s social media pages.

Public safety is our top priority, while the government and the public service is pulling out all the stops to ensure that we safely navigate this storm, each member of this community needs to take personal responsibility for their own safety. Conditions in the sea and on land during storms can change suddenly and become quite hazardous. Therefore, please stay away from the beach and out of the water and avoid areas that are flooded. I urge you to stay home and stay safe until the storm passes.

These types of storms can be unpredictable despite everything we do to try to predict them. Tropical Storm Delta has already thrown us a few curve balls as Director John has just indicated. Whilst this is expected, to be a tropical storm and not a hurricane when it passes us, it is none the less a strong tropical storm.

It is therefore very important as I have said that we continue to pay close attention to its development as it passes our islands. Radio Cayman, as it has always done will be providing invaluable updates throughout the night and through tomorrow.

As part of this briefing today, the Deputy Governor will provide an update on the preparedness of the public service and will provide further information about shelters, if that is a safer option for you. He will also, I am sure, advise on Government’s plans for closing its various offices. Despite some closures there are many Civil Servants who will be working throughout the night and day tomorrow to ensure that the public are kept safe.

I encourage all private sector employers to be understanding at this time, as we face yet another challenge this year. Wherever possible, have your staff work from home and minimize travel on the roads.

Once the storm has passed there may be debris such as fallen trees or downed power lines so I urge everyone to please stay off the roads until the all clear is given.

2020 has been a challenging year, to say the least, and we’re weathering two storms at the moment, with Tropical Storm Delta and COVID-19 but we are used to facing challenges, Caymanians and all who call these islands home are resilient people and we’ll come through once again. Despite the additional challenges that COVID presents, the Cayman Islands is prepared and ready, as usual, to weather Tropical Storm Delta.

Stay Safe Cayman.

Sidebar: Governor Urges All Not to Let Guard Down

I recognise that there is concern and anxiety out there with the approach of Tropical Storm Delta, particularly as we’ve had our fair share of difficult events this year!  

Despite the better news regarding the forecast path of the storm drifting away from the Cayman Islands, we shouldn’t let our guard down. It’s always better to over prepare in any crisis and then pare back, rather than be caught out. We prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

Government has acted quickly and decisively. There is always an element of uncertainty with these events, so that was the sensible and prudent thing to do.

I spoke to the Police Commissioner and the Prison Director about security aspects this morning. They have very well prepared contingency plans in place.

The Commissioner asked me to reiterate the request for people not to go out on the roads later today and tomorrow morning as it could be hazardous, and people should also avoid going to the shore to take a look.

Another plea to please only put things on social media if you know they are accurate and follow official government information. Our two police helicopters, a huge asset in this situation, will be going up tomorrow as soon as it is safe to do so.

I have been in touch with London this morning (the UK Met Office, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Ministry of Defence) who are watching developments very closely. We do of course have the two Royal Navy ships in the region – Argus and Medway, though highly unlikely we will need them to deal with this storm. But reassuring to know they are in the region for now and future. 

At the moment there is no requirement to deploy the Regiment, however they are there for us to call on if needed, an additional asset offering extra resilience and support with skills sets that we do not have elsewhere.

Cayman has a reputation for resilience in the face of such challenges. I am sure this will be no different.

Please stay safe Cayman Brac, Little Cayman and Grand Cayman.

Sidebar: Deputy Governor Expresses Happiness at Preparation Levels

Current status:

1. The Port Authority closed to the public at 12pm today and will re-open at 1pm on 7 Wednesday.
2. The Airport will be closed as of 3pm today until 3pm Tuesday 6th.
3. Shelter teams are on standby and if the decision is made to activate shelters, the Red Cross shelter along with one shelter in each district will be activated. The proposed shelters are as follows:

1. Red Cross
2. WB – John A Cumber Hall
3. GT- John Gray Gymnasium
4. EE- Civic Centre
5. NS- Clifton Hunter
6. BT- Savannah Primary

1. Damage Assessment teams are prepped and ready to activate to conduct preliminary damage assessments once the all clear is given.
2. National Roads Authority (NRA) have been actively clearing wells and trimming in high risks areas. The number to call for well clearing is 525-1251.
3. NRA will facilitate the clearing of fallen trees/debris removal after the all Clear.
4. All utility companies have activated their plans and preparing their facilities.
5. Water Authority does not intend to cut their service during the storm. However, this is subject to change depending on the movement and intensification of the Tropical Storm.
6. CUC does not intend to cut their service during the storm. However, this is subject to change depending on the movement and intensification of the Tropical Storm.
7. PWD has carried out a check on all shelters and shuttered a few based on requests.
8. HMPS has implemented their plans and transported all prisoners to Northward prison.
9. RCIPS has confirmed they have activated their shelter deployment teams, helicopter is secure and the crew is ready for rapid deployment and the preliminary damage assessment if needed
10. The Call Takers are reporting to the NEOC at 9:00pm tonight.
11. The mental health hotline remains active and the number to call is 1-800-534-6463.

The Cayman Islands Coast Guard has secured all vessels.

Education:

All schools are closed Monday, 5 and Tuesday, 6 October 2020.

Update on Cayman Airways:

1. CAL 6 October Miami flight is cancelled and rescheduled for 7 October in the evening (subject to weather). Travel Cayman has notified travellers via email and advised that Cayman Airways will provide them with flight details.
2. The Travel Cayman Team is working round the clock processing travellers arriving on the remaining flights scheduled for October.

Travellers in Home and Facility Quarantine:

1. All travellers in Quarantine at Residence have been contacted via email and phone to ensure they are in a location that can weather the storm and to ensure they have sufficient provisions.

o   Only one traveller has asked to be moved to a quarantine facility. That traveller has been moved.

o   There were a couple of travellers that had no one on-island to drop off extra provisions to them. The Travel Cayman team is out making deliveries now.

1. Where necessary private facilities where travellers are in quarantine have moved travellers to a higher floor or relocated them to another facility. Where it was necessary to transport travellers this has been through authorised transport.
2. Prospect Primary has been set aside as a shelter for travellers in quarantine should the need arise.
3. Travellers in home or facility quarantine can call 946-7858 or 945-0556 if they need assistance. If it is an emergency they should call 911.

Health Services Authority Update:

• Due to the approach of Tropical Storm Delta, the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority (HSA) has cancelled all regularly scheduled out-patient clinics including health centres, general practice, specialist, physiotherapy, mental health, dental and eye clinics for Tuesday, 6 October 2020. Services including pharmacy, phlebotomy, radiology, COVID-19 testing clinic will also be closed. Patients will be contacted directly to reschedule appointments effected by these closures.
• The Cayman Islands Main Pharmacy and Smith Road Centre Pharmacy will remain open until 7pm on Monday, 5 October, but will be closed on Tuesday 6^th October.
• Acute Care Clinic will be closing at 6pm, Monday, 5 October and will be closed all day Tuesday.
• Medical records will be closed as of Monday at 4pm.
• A&E will still operate 24 hours but persons are reminded to stay home unless it is a true medical emergency.
• Sister Islands: Walk-in clinics at Faith Hospital will be closed on Tuesday, 6 October. A&E will remain open for any emergencies. Little Cayman Clinic will be open for emergencies only.
• The HSA will continue to update regarding any closures. All updates will also be available on www.hsa.ky. If you have questions regarding your appointment, please call 345-949-8600. 

Sidebar: Minister Rivers Notes Teams in Best Position to Respond

Firstly, I would like to acknowledge that arguably our national emergency operations are in the best position possible to respond to this severe weather event following our sustained efforts tackling COVID-19 over the past several months.

The track record of our first responder and emergency operation teams has been world class and we sincerely thank them for their efforts and resilience thus far during this unprecedented year.

In response to Tropical Storm Delta and following the meeting of the National Hazard Management Council yesterday, work has been and is well underway to put into action the necessary national preparedness measures.

Particular consideration has been given to maintain the integrity and security of COVID-19 isolation conditions, including those at government facilities and private residences. Arrangements are being made to securely relocate individuals isolating at home who are at risk of flooding and to move them to appropriate government facilities. The monitoring of those in home isolation by the Department of Public Safety Communication through geo-fencing technology is robust and capable of withstanding weather conditions far more intense than is expected to impact our shores.

Warning flags have been raised in Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Regular public announcements have also been broadcast widely with weather updates and preparedness information. The public is advised to continue to monitor official sources including gov.ky, weather.gov.ky and caymanprepared.ky for the latest, accurate information.

Emergency contingency plans have been activated across our first response agencies to ensure business as usual is maintained while the necessary preparedness measures are in place.

Surge resourcing capacity is being deployed at the Cayman Islands Fire Service in both Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac to respond to an expected increase in incidents due to the severe weather. Fire Service crews will also join colleagues from the Coast Guard in a joint effort for all inshore search and rescue operations.

The NEOC call taking centre will be activated from 9pm this evening. Individuals with non-emergency enquiries about the response to the tropical storm can call 949-6555. Emergency calls should still be directed to 911 for fire, police or EMS dispatch.

A second shift of call takers is being deployed for 911 in case of an increase in emergency calls.

A situational assessment is already underway with low lying areas being mapped and monitored for flooding. A comprehensive damage assessment will commence tomorrow once weather conditions allow first responders to move around safely.

Community Emergency Response Teams have been deployed across the three islands to distribute vital preparedness information to residents and conduct wellness checks on the most vulnerable people in our communities.

All fifteen (15) shelters in Grand Cayman are ready for activation if required and shelter teams have been placed on standby. Similarly, the Ashton Ruddy civic centre in Cayman Brac and Public Works Department building in Little Cayman are both on standby to be used as public shelters if needed.

Anyone needing to shelter at a facility is asked to bring their own personal protective equipment, including face masks and sanitiser, as a COVID-19 prevention measure.

Finally, the national emergency response team remains in regular contact with CDEMA (the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency) to keep them informed of the situation on the ground in the Cayman Islands should their assistance be required to be coordinated.

The Cayman Islands has been tested many times but remains steadfast and resilient. We stand ready to respond to what lies ahead as we have done countless times before, thanks in no small part to the men and women of our response agencies and their tireless and selfless efforts.

May God continue to bless and protect these Cayman Islands.