Cayman Islands Says Welcome To Families
The Cayman Islands has entered Phase 5 of its strategic phased reopening plan on Jan. 20, 2022. Under this new phase, children aged 11 years and younger will be permitted to travel to the destination accompanied by vaccinated adults regardless of the child’s vaccination status.
In addition, quarantine requirements for all travellers are shortened from 10 days to seven days, and testing protocols have been altered – now requiring travelers to submit a lateral flow test (LFT) on days two, five and seven of their stay.
Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan said that: “These changes outlined in Phase 5 of the Government’s reopening plan will make it much easier to travel to our destination with children and allow families to enjoy a well-deserved, relaxing holiday in Cayman once again.”
Minister Bryan continued: “Family travel is an important segment of our tourism industry, and these new protocols will bring a range of encouraging benefits to Caymanians and our tourism partners. We are very excited to usher in this new phase and remain optimistic for the future of Cayman tourism.”
Under Phase 5, children aged 11 and younger are permitted to travel to the Cayman Islands regardless of the child’s vaccination status, provided they are traveling with a verified, fully vaccinated adult.
Children between the ages of five and 11 will be required to undergo the same testing requirements as adults, while children below the age of five are not subject to pre-arrival, or on-site testing.
As of Jan. 20, all inbound travellers aged five years and above must provide a negative pre-departure test, either a certified rapid test/LFT or PCR test, taken no earlier than the day before departure. Convenient, video-proctored at-home tests have been made available by AZOVA Inc.
On-island testing requirements have also been adjusted. Travellers must complete a certified LFT through an approved provider on days two, five and seven of their visit, but a test on day 10 is no longer required. If the traveller tests positive, the PCR test confirmation and any additional testing to exit quarantine will be covered by the Cayman Islands Public Health Department.
Children aged four years and under will not require testing.
Children between the ages of five years to 11 years will be required to undergo the same testing requirements as adults.
Lastly, Phase 5 protocols require travellers to the Sister Islands to provide a negative certified LFT or PCR test prior to departure to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.
As announced by the Public Health Department on Jan. 18, 2022, the isolation period for vaccinated persons who test positive is now seven days (as opposed to the previous 10-day requirement).
Persons testing positive will be required to isolate for six days and take a PCR test on day seven.
Rosa Harris, Cayman Islands’ Director of Tourism, said that: “For nearly two years, families with young children have been unable to experience the magic of the Cayman Islands together. Now, they can return to our shores and create lifetime memories in a safe environment. We are eager to welcome families back and share all that our beautiful islands have to offer.”
For more, go to www.visitcaymanislands.com/welcomeback .
