FYI, from Clearly Cayman...
Due to the restrictions imposed by the phase 1 travel requirements, we are now planning to reopen all the Clearly Cayman Dive Resorts on Saturday, October 3, 2020. Based upon the characterization of phase 1 as a 30-day plan and reference to phase 2 beginning on October 1, we are making all the necessary arrangements to be fully operational to welcome our guests on October 3.
We are deeply disappointed – as we know you are - that the September 1 reopening doesn’t represent a broader reopening program that facilitates travel required for week-long dive vacations. Despite this disappointment, we hope that this more conservative reopening plan will result in a safer vacation opportunity where Covid-19 fears won’t spoil your vacation.
Phase 1 - September 1 Targeted as Limited Reopening
On Friday, July 18, 2020 the Cayman Islands’ Government announced a multi-phased reopening plan that begins with a limited reopening on September 1, 2020. In phase 1 of this plan, residents and visitors that travel to the Islands are required to complete an online application and submit a negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours prior to departure from their gateway city.
Those that receive permission to travel will be required to self-isolate for 5-days and will be required to wear a health monitoring device for 14 days or the duration of their stay, whichever is shorter. This health monitoring device will track and record their temperature, heart rate, and respiration rate which will be monitored by the Cayman Islands Government. This device is also a geo-tracker and will ensure that each visitor is adhering to the self-isolation requirement. At the end of the 5-day self-isolation period, each visitor will be given another Covid-19 test. If this test returns a negative result, the visitor will able to leave isolation but must still wear the monitoring device.
This phase of the reopening plan is primarily designed for residents that are returning from overseas, seasonal residents, returning workers and visitors that will be staying in the islands for an extended period versus visitors with week-long vacation plans. During this phase, Cayman Airways will be the only carrier option for travel to the Cayman Islands from the United Statesthrough their Miami, Tampa and New York gateway operations.
Phase 2 – Elimination of Self-Isolation Requirement
Phase 2 of the reopening plan is described to include the requirements of phase 1, with the elimination of the self-isolation requirement. The Friday press briefing from the Cayman Islands Tourism Minister primarily focused on the phase 1 reopening requirements. As a result, it was not made clear if phase 2 would also include the on-island Covid-19 test that is required in phase 1 at the end of the self-isolation.
It has been reported that the timing of the phase 2 plan has not been determined. However, October 1, 2020 was given during the press briefing as the expected start date of phase 2. This phase of reopening will be much broader than the phase 1 reopening and will include the return of the US airline schedules to service the Caymans Islands from their hub cities.
Phase 3 – Full “Return to Normal”
While the Cayman Island’s reopening plan contains three phases, almost no time and no details of this phase were shared at Friday’s press briefing. The full return to normal is going to be dependent upon the success of the first two phases, the control of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the development/availability of therapeutics and vaccines for the virus.
Due to the restrictions imposed by the phase 1 travel requirements, we are now planning to reopen all the Clearly Cayman Dive Resorts on Saturday, October 3, 2020. Based upon the characterization of phase 1 as a 30-day plan and reference to phase 2 beginning on October 1, we are making all the necessary arrangements to be fully operational to welcome our guests on October 3.
We are deeply disappointed – as we know you are - that the September 1 reopening doesn’t represent a broader reopening program that facilitates travel required for week-long dive vacations. Despite this disappointment, we hope that this more conservative reopening plan will result in a safer vacation opportunity where Covid-19 fears won’t spoil your vacation.
Phase 1 - September 1 Targeted as Limited Reopening
On Friday, July 18, 2020 the Cayman Islands’ Government announced a multi-phased reopening plan that begins with a limited reopening on September 1, 2020. In phase 1 of this plan, residents and visitors that travel to the Islands are required to complete an online application and submit a negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours prior to departure from their gateway city.
Those that receive permission to travel will be required to self-isolate for 5-days and will be required to wear a health monitoring device for 14 days or the duration of their stay, whichever is shorter. This health monitoring device will track and record their temperature, heart rate, and respiration rate which will be monitored by the Cayman Islands Government. This device is also a geo-tracker and will ensure that each visitor is adhering to the self-isolation requirement. At the end of the 5-day self-isolation period, each visitor will be given another Covid-19 test. If this test returns a negative result, the visitor will able to leave isolation but must still wear the monitoring device.
This phase of the reopening plan is primarily designed for residents that are returning from overseas, seasonal residents, returning workers and visitors that will be staying in the islands for an extended period versus visitors with week-long vacation plans. During this phase, Cayman Airways will be the only carrier option for travel to the Cayman Islands from the United Statesthrough their Miami, Tampa and New York gateway operations.
Phase 2 – Elimination of Self-Isolation Requirement
Phase 2 of the reopening plan is described to include the requirements of phase 1, with the elimination of the self-isolation requirement. The Friday press briefing from the Cayman Islands Tourism Minister primarily focused on the phase 1 reopening requirements. As a result, it was not made clear if phase 2 would also include the on-island Covid-19 test that is required in phase 1 at the end of the self-isolation.
It has been reported that the timing of the phase 2 plan has not been determined. However, October 1, 2020 was given during the press briefing as the expected start date of phase 2. This phase of reopening will be much broader than the phase 1 reopening and will include the return of the US airline schedules to service the Caymans Islands from their hub cities.
Phase 3 – Full “Return to Normal”
While the Cayman Island’s reopening plan contains three phases, almost no time and no details of this phase were shared at Friday’s press briefing. The full return to normal is going to be dependent upon the success of the first two phases, the control of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the development/availability of therapeutics and vaccines for the virus.
