Cayman Islands lifts COVID requirements for travelers: What to know

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The Cayman Islands announced it is dropping COVID requirements for all travelers entering or those traveling within the British Overseas territory starting Wednesday.

The decision came “after careful consideration of the local and international situation along with guidance from our public health department and our chief medical officer,” Premier, Hon. G. Wayne Panton said in a Friday press briefing.

“This is obviously following two and a half years of COVID-19-related restrictions we put in place,” Panton said. “We are now satisfied that we can safely eliminate all but a few of these remaining public health measures.”

What does this mean for travelers wanting to enter the Cayman Islands?

Travelers will no longer be required to present a negative COVID-19 test, show proof of vaccination, wear a mask, or apply for a Travel Declaration or Travel Request via Travel Cayman.

However, some business owners may choose if they want people to wear masks when in their establishment.

There will also no longer be any limits to public gatherings.

If you do test positive for COVID-19, you are required to quarantine for at least seven days.

What were the previous requirements?

Previously, “unvaccinated tourist visitors (including unvaccinated tourist visitors age 12 and over) who do not have close ties to the country” were not allowed in the Cayman Islands.

All other travelers, except those arriving via cruise ship, had to apply for a travel certificate that was required for entry, either 72 hours or 5 days prior to their departure.

On June 30, the Cayman Islands had dropped pre-arrival testing, although all travelers are still “strongly encouraged” to get tested during the first seven days after their arrival.

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What is the status of COVID in the Cayman Islands?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined the Cayman Islands to have a Level 3: High Travel Health Notice for COVID-19. In November 2021, the Cayman Islands was considered to have “very high” levels of COVID-19, with COVID cases spiking to over 1,000 confirmed cases in a week.

According to the World Health Organization, since January 2020, there have been 29 COVID-related deaths and 29,907 confirmed cases in the Cayman Islands. As of Aug. 12, 60,057 people in the Cayman Islands were fully vaccinated (in 2021, the census showed a total population of 69,656.)