When can U.S. travelers return to the Cayman Islands?: Vacation Weekly

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Most islands in the Caribbean have reopened their borders to U.S. site visitors. Some locations let entry only for tourists who are vaccinated, but all other than the Dominican Republic require Covid tests in advance of arrival and some immediately after arrival, as perfectly.

The Cayman Islands is an exception. Its borders have remained shut to most vacationers considering that March 2020.

When will Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Minor Cayman reopen to leisure vacationers?

I spoke with Kenneth Bryan, newly appointed minister of tourism and transportation next the current election, to locate out the method driving the reopening ideas. 

Kenneth Bryan, minister of tourism and transportation, Cayman Islands

“We’re shooting for a 75% to 80% vaccination charge for our citizens. That’s been our goal all alongside, but the closer we get to that concentrate on, the tougher it appears to reach it,” Bryan mentioned.

By mid-August, about 68% of the suitable inhabitants of 66,000 experienced gained two doses of the vaccines.

Bryan is eyeing Sept. 30 as the date for absolutely everyone suitable in the Caymans to get their very last vaccine dose.

Cash incentives, raffles, public services bulletins and strategies have been used to encourage island inhabitants, small business house owners and floor tour operators to vaccinate.

All along, the Cayman Islands have followed a extremely strict plan towards reopening. While other Caribbean countries reopened months ago, only to have to shut down yet again briefly thanks to a Covid surge in some circumstances, the Caymans have adopted a phased reopening approach.

“Some islands pulled the bring about way too speedy and experienced to backtrack,” Bryan mentioned. “The Cayman Islands governing administration and the section of tourism created a five-section approach to be certain a safe and wholesome knowledge for these functioning in the market and our people.

“We want to be the just one country that does not have to shut after entire reopening.”

The to start with two phases ran from June through mid-August and allowed entry for sure groups of securely confirmed tourists — home and villa house owners, company entrepreneurs, health specialists, repatriated staff — issue to entry authorization, documentation and quarantine regulations.

A remote-do the job-and-continue to be system was launched late very last year, issue to approval of a arduous software for a limited remain.

Phase 3, which is slated to commence Sept. 9, will eliminate some of the quarantine limits for those who arrive on repatriation flights.

Section 4, which commences Oct. 14, will see the borders open for all securely verified, entirely vaccinated adult tourists. Unvaccinated guests will have to utilize for entry via the Travel Cayman Portal and quarantine on arrival for 14 times. All tourists have to declare travel and vaccination status on the portal.  

“We have fulfilled with American Airways and United, and they have expressed desire in resuming their flight schedules below. They are not looking at desire nevertheless, but have tentatively made the decision to resume expert services in Oct,” Bryan said.

The security, well being and nicely-staying of the persons of the Cayman Islands continue being the government’s No. 1 priority for reopening, according to Bryan.

The Oct date is aimed at adult travelers who are verified and absolutely vaccinated. Unvaccinated travelers are subject to a 14-day quarantine, but each categories have to utilize by means of the Travel Cayman Portal, present a Covid-19 PCR exam end result taken 72 hrs prior to arrival and offer evidence of clinical insurance policy, which includes coverage for Covid-19.

Period 5, commencing Nov. 18, will enable unvaccinated youngsters beneath 12 many years of age to vacation with vaccinated household customers with no quarantine period of time essential. Unvaccinated tourists above the age of 12 need to quarantine for 14 days.

“The time concerning just about every of these phases will allow us to iron out the kinks. At all phases, general public wellness officials will monitor the prevalence rate and spread of Covid,” Bryan stated, incorporating that the changeover among phases will be decided by myriad things.

When the region has finished all 5 phases and adhering to a thorough evaluation from the governing administration and well being officials, the Cayman Islands strategies to celebrate its grand reopening on Jan. 27 and welcome all travelers without quarantine or vacation constraints. At this time, cruise tourism may perhaps resume, according to Bryan.