Grants and loans for micro and small businesses are among measures announced today. Specifics for all measures can be accessed at Resources section ofwww.gov.ky/coronavirus. 

·        Payment arrangements for vulnerable Caymanians and one-off food vouchers for eligible non-Caymanians are announced with distribution days set for Tuesday and Thursday. NAU authorities will contact eligible persons today.

·        No new cases were announced by the CMO and current positive cases are being well managed.

·        Two positive patients are currently in the hospital operated by the Health Services Authority. The earlier admitted is in stable condition while the CMO was awaiting information about the newer patient.

·        A national plan for coordinated hospital intensive treatment of positive patients, should this become necessary, is underway as a public-private sector partnership.

·        Premier apologises to the Governor on behalf of Cayman for the fake news voice note that was circulated.

·        The BA flight arrives this evening with equipment, 60 returning Caymanians as well as 15-20 security personnel from the UK for whom a flight comes in from Turks and Caicos today to take them to those islands.

·        43 returned students who were in government isolation facilities have all tested negative and released to go home.

Grand Cayman (GIS) – At today’s, Monday, 6 April 2020, daily COVID-19 press conference, a number of measures were announced for the benefit of micro and small businesses for whom Government has set aside over $14.5 million to help them now and into the coming weeks.

            Daily prayer was led by Bishop Dr. Clayton Martin of the Pastors Association.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee reported:

• There were no updates from laboratory results to report today.
• Forty three students – 27 tested first and 16 the next day – have all tested negative and been released to go home.

Commissioner of Police, Mr. Derek Byrne reported:

• Both hard and soft curfews were generally going well.
• Two persons intercepted on Little Cayman during overnight curfew were essential exempted persons; 38 were intercepted on Cayman Brac of whom five were found in breach of curfew and warned for prosecution; additionally one person was arrested for publication of false information, released on Police bail and the case file is being prepped for submission to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal ruling. The penalties for such offences are $5,000 in fine and a term of imprisonment up to 5 years. On Grand Cayman, 59 were intercepted and one was in breach and warned for prosecution.
• During soft curfew today, 14 were found in breach – 11 on Grand Cayman and three on Cayman Brac and all warned for prosecution.
• The Police team’s morale was good. They are ably assisted by CBC, WORC officials, the special constables and civilian RCIPS staff in the carrying out of their duties.
• The regulations for issuing tickets for curfew breaches are being published tomorrow and tickets are getting printed for coming into use later this week.

Premier, Hon. Alden McLaughlin said:

• The Cayman Islands wishes speedy recovery to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who today has been moved into ICU in London. Given PM Johnson is relatively young, fit, highly energetic individual with boundless energy, it goes to show that this virus is no respecter of persons, Prince or Prime Minister.
• If people insist on being selfish, be selfish to not contract the disease and pass on to others.

• The daily stats get grimmer. For full stats Premier provided, see chart below.
• Ongoing support for Caymanians in need through the Department of Children and Family Service and the Needs Assessment Unit include for 168 already approved and those approved with 136 new applications which will be processed by the end of this week. Call 244-2426 for confirmation of approval of services. Additional support has been added to the call centre, Contact for NAU can still be made on  946-0024 on Grand Cayman and 948-8758 on Cayman Brac.
• 72 applications from Non-Caymanians in need have been received – three from the Sister Islands – and distribution of one-off food vouchers will be over Tuesday and Thursday. The authorities will be contacting those approved.
• Non Caymanians in need should not contact DCFS or NAU but only email[email protected]
• Full details about payments, schedules and disbursal of food vouchers that the Premier reported from the DCFS and NAU are given below.
• Government is now providing relief for micro and small businesses which will bring some financial relief to them.
• Premier apologised to the Governor on behalf of the Cayman Islands people for the fake news voice note that was circulated on WhatsApp in the community.

His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Martyn Roper said:

• Governor added his best wishes for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s recovery, whose illness underlines how dangerous COVID-19 actually can be.
• Everyone following all the protocols are to be thanked.
• The 1,700 testing kit and 200 swabs were part of the medical equipment coming in today on the BA flight.

Minister for Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure Hon. Joey Hew announced:

• Government has set aside $14,521,000 to help Caymanian owned micro and small businesses including monthly cash grants and loans to eligible applicants, using a four-pronged strategy. More measures and actions during post-COVID period are being explored.
• For a full report on Minister’s Hew’s announcement, see sidebar below.

Minister for Health, Hon. Dwayne Seymour said:

• All expat workers seeking to leave the island out of economic hardship or having lost their jobs should call 244-3333 or email [email protected].
• There were ongoing concerns about homemade masks in the community, Government is encouraging but not mandating wearing them when out on essential journeys like going to the supermarket or getting gas.
• For more of Minister Seymour’s pronouncements, please see sidebar below.

Global Statistics Premier Provided Today

·         Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths
USA	356,414	+19,741	10,490	+847
Spain	135,032	+3,386	13,169	+528
Italy	132,547	+3,599	16,523	+636
Germany	101,558	+1,435	1,662	+78
France	98,010	+5,171	8,911	+833
China	81,808	+39	3,331	+2
Iran	60,500	+2,274	3,739	+136
UK	51,608	+3,902	5,373	+439
Canada	16,498	+986	321	+41
India	4,778	+489	136	+18
Philippines	3,660	+414	163	+11
Jamaica	58		3
Anguilla	3
Bermuda	37
British Virgin Islands	3
Montserrat	6
Turks & Caicos	5		1

TOP US STATES

US State	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths
New York	130,689	+7671	4,758	+599

Sidebar 1: Premier Highlights NAU Help for Persons in Need

NAU:

• Ongoing request continues to be processed for NAU services with immediate focus being placed on Food Vouchers
  • 1681 existing families are now approved for services
  • 136 new applications will be processed before the end of this week for immediate Food Vouchers.  
• Persons who have already submitted an application may call 244-2426, for confirmation of approval of services.
• Additional support is now being received from Department of Community Rehabilitation to assist with the processing of calls and services. (5) persons have been added to support the Call Centre.
• Contact for NAU can still be made to 
  • Phone #: 946-0024 Grand / 948-8758 Brac,
  • Email: [email protected] 
  • Website www.nau.gov.ky

DCFS:

• The Hotline for the Aging population is 1-800-534- 2222
• Since 23 March, there has been a total of 22 child protection referrals that have been investigated.
• The MASH Team continues to be in operations to ensure the safety of our children and can be contacted at 1-800-534-2273 or emailed at MASH@ gov.ky
• For emergencies persons should still call  911
• Other general inquires and information for non-emergency related issues between 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, contact:

o   Phone:  345-916-2837 / 345-926-6853

o   Email: [email protected]

Additional Support to Non-Caymanians in need (these persons should not contact NAU or DCFS)

• 76 applications have been received for vetting from Work Permit Holders (3 from Sister Islands)
• Distribution of the one off Food Vouchers will take place Tuesday and Thursday of this week.
• Persons meeting the criteria will be contacted today with further instructions on the Voucher.
• Inquires can continue to be made by:
  • emailing to [email protected]
  • calling 244-8000 Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm.

Sidebar 2- Minister Hew Announces Help for Micro, Small Businesses

Fellow Caymanians, as we are all aware, this global pandemic has caused significant economic dislocation across the globe.

Right here across our Islands, we see economic activities in major sectors have come to a halt. And, there is no doubt that business and commerce will be affected in many ways that we did not anticipate.

I want to assure the people of the Cayman Islands that the Government will do all that it can to ameliorate the effects of the pandemic and give these Islands the best chance of recovery.

            As the Honourable Premier has mentioned on a number of occasions, there are discussions taking place concerning our support for the business sector and economy but as a Government, we will continue to place priority on flattening the curve of new cases so that our Islands can get back on its feet (at least) with domestic activities in the near future.

            In our immediate response to provide support to micro and small businesses amid COVID-19, the Government through my Ministry fast-tracked the opening of the Cayman Islands Centre for Business Development to late last month. The Centre has had to adapt its original plans to respond to the needs at hand.

            Since the time of opening, I am pleased to report that staff members at the Centre have been conducting daily virtual and teleconference meetings focusing on business continuity for many business owners who have been impacted by COVID-19.

            I would like to encourage other entrepreneurs with an urgent need for assistance with cash flow management, business impact analysis or those who need to redesign or re-think their business models – to contact the Centre.

            As part of our efforts to arrest the economic disruption of COVID-19, my Ministry will be implementing a number of relief measures to support our micro and small businesses. The Government has always been proactive by making it a strategic priority to implement initiatives to support micro and small enterprises across the Islands.

            Our small business incentive programme, for example, has benefited more than 5,000 micro businesses and 700 small businesses since its inception in 2017. This has cost the Government over $2.8 million dollars.

            The thousands of micro and small businesses across these Islands are an important part of our economic ecosystem.

They are our small retail shops, restaurants and cafes, beauty salons, tour operators, web developers, marine services, hotel suppliers, pest control, janitorial services and the list goes on.

            The health of these sectors is important to the well-being of our Islands.

The measures that we will now implement to support these micro and small businesses will be in the form of a:

1.    Low Interest Loan Programme;

2.    Technical Assistance Programme;

3.    Training Programme; and a

4.    Micro and Small Grant Programme.

Low Interest Loan Programme

The Low Interest Loan Programme will provide financial and non-financial support to micro and small businesses affected by COVID-19. The loan scheme will provide initial funding in the amount of Five Million Dollars ($5, 000, 00.00).

It is intended for micro and small businesses that require help to meet their operational cash flow requirements. This loan programme will be administered through the Cayman Islands Development Bank and will benefit businesses that are 100% Caymanian-owned.

The programme will provide each borrower with a fully-backed government guarantee.

The amount available to:

·         Micro business – will be up to a maximum of $20,000.00.

·         Small business – will be up to maximum of $50,000.00

There will be a six-month period of moratorium during which the bank will not collect principal or interest payments. The loan will be given for a period of five (5) years at 1% interest in the first year, subject to increase thereafter.

The application process for this loan programme will be through the Cayman Islands Centre for Business Development, which falls under the remit of my Ministry.

Of course, applicants must meet specific criteria for assistance.

Technical Assistance Programme

The Technical Assistance Programme will involve the use of paid qualified accountants and other professionals to provide technical guidance and coaching to micro and small businesses to help them navigate this difficult period and keep their financial obligations to financial institutions.

This programme is directed particularly at recovery from COVID-19.

Technical Assistance will initially be provided for one year and the programme of assistance will include, among other things:

·         Document preparation to access financing, grants or other stimulus products;

·         Preparation of business plans, strategic plans;

·         Business Model Design/Innovation;

·         Business Forecasting;

·         Business Impact Analysis; and

·         Human Resource Services

·          

The assistance will take the form of one-on-one consultation and coaching sessions with clients.

The total amount of funds that has been allocated to support the Technical Assistance Programme is Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00).

Training and Handholding Programme

I must emphasise to our micro and small business owners, that training and coaching will be integral to the programmes in order to help you navigate the new world of business that will emerge post COVID-19.

The training modules will cover areas such as Managing Cash Flow in a Crisis; Harnessing the Entrepreneurial Mindset; Managing Changing Human Resource Needs and Business Model Innovation. We encourage especially our micro and small businesses to take advantage of this as it will be provided at no cost to you. Participation in at least one of these sessions will be a pre-requisite for accessing the loan.

And outside of the training associated with the loan programme, other training sessions will be available to business owners as their needs are assessed.

The amount approved for the training programmes will be in the amount of Twenty One Thousand Dollars ($21,000.00).

Micro and Small Business Grant Programme

In addition to those initiatives, Cabinet has also approved the amount of Nine Million…