Private sector gets ready to shift gears from zero COVID-19 to coexisting with the virus

Grand Cayman, 1 October 2021: Local business leaders are preparing for an operational and mindset shift in dealing with COVID-19 as the Cayman Islands adjusts to coexisting with the virus.

Since the first cases of community transmission were confirmed last month, a group of Caymanian business leaders from across multiple industries have met to discuss how best to prepare their workforce and customers to learn to live with COVID-19 in the community.

“Cayman has been in the fortunate position that, for more than a year, we were able to eliminate COVID from our shores,” said Woody Foster, Managing Director of Foster’s Supermarket and a member of the private sector group. “However, we always knew the day would come when elimination would no longer be possible. As a business owner, my job now is to adapt our operating practices so that safety remains our top priority, and to demonstrate to employees and customers how we can all still go about our daily business safely with COVID in our midst. As we have heard repeatedly, getting vaccinated remains our best defence against this virus – to protect ourselves, our families and the wider community.”

To support the government and help the community prepare for this next phase of the pandemic, the group plans to launch a public education campaign which highlights how “getting ready” can vary from person to person, and for different organisations, depending on the situation. 

“We recognise and appreciate people have different perspectives and priorities,” says Foster. “Our intent is not to impose a single point of view, but to bring the community along with us on our journey toward readiness. The rest of the world is learning how to live with COVID, and I am confident we can too.”

Despite coming from a variety of industries, members of the group agree on the importance of reopening borders so both visitors and residents can travel more freely.

With border reopening currently on pause, public and private sectors have additional time to work together and ensure appropriate policies and procedures are in place for international travel to resume safely. Once borders reopen, the community’s readiness to safely coexist with the virus will be vital to protect lives and livelihoods.

Given the alignment with messaging shared previously by Reopen Cayman, a private sector initiative launched last year, the two groups have agreed to come together to launch a public education campaign on Reopen Cayman social media channels.

“We were delighted to be approached by such a respected group of local business leaders and happy to offer our support,” said Kel Thompson of Century21 who originally launched Reopen Cayman with fellow businessman Michael Tibbetts of Clearly Cayman. “The negative impact of our borders remaining closed goes beyond the financial loss, it separates families and affects our mental wellbeing. As a community, it is essential we agree a path towards a safe and timely reopening of our borders.”

Follow Reopen Cayman on Facebook @reopencayman or on Instagram @reopencayman.

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Members of the private sector group supporting Reopen Cayman include:

Mark Anthony, Burger King and Popeyes

James Bergstrom, Ogier

Kris Bergstrom, Edgewater Group

James Bovell, RE/MAX

Dale Crighton, Crighton Properties Ltd.

Marcus Cumber, Lobster Pot

Woody Foster, Foster’s Supermarket 

Kim Lund, RE/MAX

Randy Merren, Hurley’s

Sophie Miles, Milestone Properties

Paul Pearson, Davenport Development

Gary Rutty

Michael Tibbetts, Clearly Cayman

Kel Thompson, Century 21

Ken Thompson, Island Taste

Mark VanDevelde, Dart