Medical News

• Twenty-three negative test results were returned today.
• A new online coronavirus dashboard is available. See the latest figures at https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6430568/Coronavirus/Coronavirus%20Dashboard%2020%20March.pdf?hsCtaTracking=e63a48f1-0f23-4ebf-b02d-552445bddc3e%7Ce5ef6f41-cc90-4e45-a1bd-95b25d5f7da4
• Chief Medical Officer orders self-isolation of returning travelers under Section 24 of the Public Health Law with immediate effect.
• CMO also urged doctors to be cautious in their prescription of a drug currently used to treat malaria that is being looked at by global health authorities as a possible treatment for COVID-19 serious infections. Stressing the importance of its continued availability in the Cayman Islands.

Government Decisions, Policies, Programmes

• Premier Alden McLaughlin planning special meeting for MLAs next week.
• Persons encouraged to make use of new mental health hotline 1-800-534-6463.
• New Prescription WhatsApp number  is 925-6534. This will allow patients seeking refills from the hospital pharmacy to take a picture of their prescription bottle or package and send the photo to the above number and pick up the prescription the next day at the pharmacy.
• Persons wishing to take the NAU needs test for stipends related to the impact of COVID-19 may call 946-0024 on Grand Cayman and 948-8758 on Cayman Brac.

·         Government schools are communicating with parents/guardians and students through  virtual learning platforms, WhatsApp groups, email, Facebook, etc.

·         At the same time schools have created and distributed take home packets for students without technology access.

·         Primary school canteen providers have come on board with a voucher and daily lunch programme for children previously receiving free school lunches. FOF will pay the canteen operators directly using the existing protocols. 

Community news

Premier also commended:

• Rubis for cutting the price of gasoline by 40 cents per imperial gallon and for asking their retailers to pass that on immediately at the pump.
• Cayman National Bank for offering a three-month payment holiday for those  struggling with outstanding loan payments.
• Cayman Water Company for agreeing not to disconnect persons with outstanding unpaid bills(as the Water Authority had also done).

Watch the press conference at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enGjMlrrqPU   (starts around 13:00)

Read the press release at http://www.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/cighome/pressroom/archive/March%202020/friday-20-march-update

Legislative Changes

• An update to the Public Health Regulations empowers the closures announced by Government on Tuesday 17 March and lays out penalties for any breach. In particular it addresses the closures of bars, gyms, spas and swimming pools, for an initial two week period. Restaurants will be restricted to take out and delivery.  http://www.gov.ky/portal/pls/portal/docs/1/12938522.PDF

Administrative Press Releases/Notices

• DVDL announces new system for vehicle and driver’s license renewals and offers more information on driving test suspension.  http://www.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/vlthome/pressroom/Press%20Release%202020/DVDL%20suspends%20road%20tests%20and%20introduces%20new%20measures

New hours for Agriculture Department http://www.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/agrhome/announcements/COVID19%20Operational%20Hours

New business development centre opens early to support small businesses during COVID-19 crisis.  http://www.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/cighome/pressroom/archive/March%202020/Centre%20for%20Business%20Development%20To%20Open

See latest info here for further details https://www.exploregov.ky/coronavirus