COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in the Cayman Islands (01 July Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are allowed to enter.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• No, with exceptions

• Most foreigners are not allowed to enter except for travellers in the following categories:

• Work permit holders and their families;

• People who own residential property within the Cayman Islands;

• People with close family ties to residents or work permit holders (i.e. spouses, fiancés, parents, grandparents, and siblings);

• People approved on the Global Citizen Concierge Program.

• Any other visitors approved via the Travel Cayman team. The full list of categories of eligible travellers can be found here.

Is a test required on arrival?

• No, with exceptions.

• On-arrival, a PCR test is no longer required.

Test certificate required?

• Yes

• All arriving passengers 10 years old or older will be required to have a certificate from an accredited laboratory for a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before departure. Travellers will show this certificate as part of the check-in process and upon entry to the Caymans. Without this test certificate, the airlines can deny boarding. Rapid antigen or antibody tests are not accepted. Only a COVID-19 PCR test from an upper airways sample will be accepted, in some cases, this might be termed a NAAT (nucleic acid amplification) test.
  More information can be found here.

• A paper copy of the test certificate is recommended; however, an electronic copy is also accepted. Other details can be found here.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes

• Arriving unvaccinated travellers are required to quarantine for a minimum of 14 days. After 14-days of self-isolation, a COVID-19 PCR test will be performed on day 15. A negative result is required to terminate quarantine. More information can be found here.

• Travellers who are vaccinated (by the HSA or where securely verified) are required to quarantine for 5 days, provided that they have finished a full course of vaccine at least 14 days before arrival. Testing is required upon exit of quarantine or isolation facilities. However, if the vaccination certificate cannot be securely verified, travellers will have to complete a 10-day quarantine period. Testing is required upon exit of quarantine or isolation facilities. More information can be found here

• If travellers are isolated with others who have been vaccinated (at least 14 days prior to commencement of the quarantine period), the entire household will be required to provide an original vaccination certificate and must quarantine for a minimum of 10 days with an exit test on day 11.

• If travellers are isolating with others who have not been vaccinated, the entire household, including the vaccinated traveller, will be required to quarantine for a minimum of 14 days with an exit PCR test on day 15.

• If a person produces a false vaccination certificate they will be liable, on conviction, to a fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for two years.

Any minors under the age of 18 are required to quarantine with their parent or legal guardian.

• Until children are eligible for the vaccine, adults travelling with children will have to continue to quarantine for 14 days.

• When completing the travel application, travellers must choose a quarantine option for either a government facility, a privately-run facility, or a home/residence. Anyone who quarantines at home is required to use monitoring technology (iMSafe Geofencing Wristband).

• Travellers may not leave the Cayman Islands until the mandatory period in quarantine has been completed.

• A PCR test on either day 11 or day 15 is required for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers, respectively, to terminate quarantine. The quarantine will end when there is a negative test result and when the Medical Officer of Health has signed off on the release.

• Based on the above restrictions, the traveller will be required to spend between 5 and 14 days in quarantine.

Insurance required?

• Yes

• All travellers must submit proof of health insurance that includes COVID-19 coverage.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• Arriving passengers are required to pre-register and obtain approval through the Travel Cayman application.

Is vaccination required?

• No, with exceptions

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not mandatory for entry into the country. However, the quarantine will be reduced from 14 to 10 days or 5 days for travellers who have completed a valid vaccination program at least 14 days before travelling to the island. Information on who is considered “fully vaccinated” can be found here.

Recommended Border app

• Yes

• A smartphone app, “OpenUp”, has been developed to monitor a user's COVID-19 status.

Airline restrictions

• Significant

• All airports are closed for international tourism and non-essential travel.

• Cargo flights, couriers, repatriation, and air ambulance flights will continue to operate.

• All outbound flights will operate from Grand Cayman's Owen Roberts International Airport.

• Inter-island flights are operating.

Border restrictions

• Significant

• The Cayman Islands have begun a phased reopening. At this time, the following travellers are allowed to enter: citizens, residents, and persons who are work permit holders and their families; people who own residential property within the Cayman Islands; people with close family ties to residents or work permit holders, i.e. spouses, fiancés, parents, grandparents, and siblings; people approved on the Global Citizen Concierge Program, and any other visitors approved via the Travel Cayman team. More information can be found here.

• The government imposed a ban on cruise ships docking in the Cayman Islands.

• There is amnesty for people who have overstayed their time in the Caymans.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• All curfews have been lifted.

Social restrictions

• Minimal

• The government has extended all existing restrictions until at least 15 July 2021. The full list of restrictions can be found here.

• There are penalties of fines and/or imprisonment for exceeding the limit on gatherings.

• There are five levels of restrictions, with level 1 being least restrictive and level 5 being most restrictive. The Cayman Islands is currently at level 2 (Minimal Suppression). More information can be found here.

• Social distancing is currently not mandatory; however, people are advised to maintain physical distancing of up to 3 feet from other people who are not from the same household.

• Gatherings are limited to 500 people indoors and 1000 people outdoors. Workspaces are not considered public gatherings, except for places where customers and the general public are allowed. Violators of the limitations on gatherings may be fined or sentenced to imprisonment.

• The limit on indoor gatherings of up to 500 people does not apply to emergency shelters only in circumstances where the premises are being used as an emergency shelter in the event of a threat of a disaster or the aftermath of a disaster.

• Workplaces are currently open. However, employees are advised to work from home whenever possible.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• Face masks are required on public transportation (taxis or omnibuses) for both passengers and drivers, including school buses.

• People can move freely, go for outings, visit beaches, or engage in other outdoor activities.

• Inter-island travel is permitted without COVID-19 testing for citizens who have been on the island for at least 14 days or more or a person with no respiratory or COVID-19 symptoms. Travellers who were not on the island for at least 14 days must have a test done or request a travel authorization.

• Boats may carry a maximum of 500 passengers.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• Retail shops, building sites, supermarkets, entertainment establishments, and other businesses are open.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Hotels are open for business.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants are open and can offer indoor and outdoor services.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes

• Bars are open and can offer indoor and outdoor services.

Beaches and tourism sites open?

• Yes

• Beaches are open, as well as tourist attractions.

Personal care services open?

• Yes

• Spas, gyms, and hairdressers are open.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Churches and spiritual activities are permitted.

Events allowed?

• Yes, with exceptions

• Contact sports are allowed. Up to 500 spectators or participants (indoors) and 1000 spectators or participants (outdoors) are permitted at sporting events, concerts, conferences, conventions, and fundraisers. Penalties of fines and/or imprisonment may be imposed on gatherings that exceed the limit.

• Attendees at weddings and funerals must not exceed 500 people inside and 1000 people outside, except for the bride, groom, witnesses, and marriage officials. For funerals, pallbearers, mortuary staff, and the officiant are exempted.

• Processions, parades, or social activities related to such parades, including carnivals, stage shows, parties, and concerts, are banned. However, there is no prohibition on parties, stage shows, concerts, and other social activities related to parades.

Masks required in public?

• Yes, with exceptions

• Face masks/coverings are required for anyone over the age of two years in healthcare facilities, prisons, public transportation, airports, residential home care facilities, and places specified by the health officer. Face masks are recommended when visiting elderly or vulnerable people. Face masks are not mandatory in any other setting.

• Anyone is free to wear face masks, and no one can be denied entry indoors in public places for wearing a mask.

Other

• Educational institutions are allowed to operate with strict safety guidelines.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing and maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.