GRAND
CAYMAN, Cayman Islands
– The Chief Medical Office Dr. John Lee began the press briefing
explaining that there was no update on test results to share today.

The
Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin announced more measures that Cabinet
has put in place today to continue to limit and control the spread of
COVID-19.

Mr
McLaughlin advised that he’d joined a conference call on Wednesday
morning with Baroness Suggs, the UK Overseas Territories Minister,
along with representatives from the other Overseas Territories (OTs).
He said he was reassured to learn that the UK is sourcing additional
essential equipment and supplies and that whatever the UK Government
can do to assist the OTs will be done.

The
Premier also said the UK is determined that an air-bridge between the
UK and its OTs is maintained and that the UK and the Cayman Islands
are working together to achieve this.

Cayman
should be able to use Cayman Airways jets or the Saab aircraft to
distribute equipment, personnel, medications and the like to the
other OTs, which was a fine testament to the infrastructure developed
in Cayman and its ability to help its brothers and sisters in these
territories and further afield, if necessary.

Mr
McLaughlin addressed concerns regarding the imminent arrival of
hundreds of Caymanian students returning home. While some students
have already arrived, a large percentage of these students and in
particular students who have been studying in the UK, will begin
returning tomorrow.

Since
all returning students should self-isolate and so should their
families and all those who visit them, this could become a
significant logistics issue, Mr. McLaughlin acknowledged,
particularly if essential services personnel like firemen, nurses,
doctors and police officers should be part of their family.

In
this regard, Government in conjunction with National Emergency
Operation Centre (NEOC), is putting into place a central facility at
a local hotel to help them self-isolate for 14 days. This would be
available for those who needed to self-isolate if unable to do so at
their homes. This 14-day stay would be free of cost to them.

Similarly,
such a free stay will be available at another hotel for 14 days for
essential services personnel who are family of returning students,
should they feel the need to use such a separate residence from their
returning students and their other family members, to be able to do
their jobs, he announced.

He
thanked the key partners in providing this service in conjunction
with Government, describing it as another stellar example of
public-private sector partnership, one of the foundations for
Cayman’s continuing success.

Premier
McLaughlin advised students and essential persons who seek such
accommodation to call NEOC on 1-800-534-6555. He reiterated that all
returning have to be isolated.

Due
to the economic impact of the virus and the measures Government are
taking to constrain its spread, a onetime emergency COVID 19 stipend
will be made on Tuesday 31st
March 2020 of $600 per person to anyone
who operates a 15-seater bus, taxi or tour bus or dual taxi-tour bus
and water sports. This would be to cover the one month closure of the
airport. Additional tourism sector groups could be added depending
on need.

The
decision by Butterfield Bank to introduce a three-month automatic
payment deferral programme for all residential mortgages and personal
loans in good standing was good news. Government is hoping that
other banks will follow their example and Mr. McLaughlin urged
persons who would benefit from a deferral to contact their bank to
make the necessary arrangements.

The
CICSA Credit Union are also working with their customers to provide
waivers of payment or refinancing and members who want to avail
themselves of this service are to call (345) 949 8415 and speak to
one of the loan officers.

Hon.
Joey Hew, Minister for Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure verified
that Government are in contact with the Small Business Association
and the Chamber of Commerce to agree on tangible solutions to support
businesses during this unprecedented time.

Mr.
Hew announced the fast-tracking of the Cayman Islands Centre for
Business Development.

The
Centre will begin providing services on Monday 23rd
March, 2020. The will provide training to cover areas such as:

• Smart
Measures for Business Continuity

• Best
Practices for Handling a Cash Flow Crisis

• Conducting
a Business Impact Analysis

• Business
Model Innovation

• Social
Media Marketing

• Online
Freelancing Opportunities

The
Centre will work with small businesses to prepare them for
renegotiating existing loans with commercial banks or to request and
access a period of moratorium on loans.

Bearing
in mind the importance of social distancing, the Centre will operate
by appointment only. To make an appointment call (345) 244-3451 or
(345) 244-2498 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 pm and (345) 926-5771 up to
10:00 pm.

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