Travel & Overseas Guidance

Table of Contents

1. Latest News on the Cayman Islands Border & Travel Restrictions
2. Outbound Travel
3. Inbound Travel
4. Quarantine Information
5. Travel to the Sister Islands
6. Information on Repatriation Flights and Residents Seeking to Return to Home Countries
7. A Phased Approach to Travel
8. TravelTime
9. F.A.Q.s

Cayman Islands Border & Travel Restrictions

 

Keeping the spread of the COVID-19 virus to a minimum on the Cayman Islands is the highest priority for the Government.

The Cayman Islands airports and sea ports remain closed to international leisure and non-essential travel until at least 1 October 2020. The ports are closed to cruise ships until 31st December 2020.

Non-essential travel is discouraged as the global COVID-19 situation remains ever changing and inbound repatriation flights are limited. Persons who leave the Cayman Islands intending to return may end up spending longer than they anticipated overseas. 

At this time we are only allowing repatriation flights for essential travel. There is no guarantee when commercial flights will become available for inbound travel to the Cayman Islands. 

From 1st October 2020, the Cayman Islands borders will begin opening in phases. The Government will be implementing a pilot programme which includes a new arrivals process combined with the use of monitoring technology. See Quarantine at residence programme and Monitoring Technology

Due to the fluid nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, border decisions will continue to be evaluated and processes are subject to change. Travellers are advised to check this website for the latest news and information prior to confirming travel plans.

Note: Some airlines are marketing flights to the Cayman Islands and accepting future bookings. However, no airlines have permission to operate commercial flights while our borders are closed. If you make reservations directly with any airline while the islands’ borders are closed, you do so at your own risk and should be aware that vouchers issued by airlines are not transferable to repatriation flights offered by British Airways or Cayman Airways.

 

Outbound Travel

Outbound international flights from the Cayman Islands are repatriation flights and are based on demand.

The two airline carriers operating repatriation flights to and from the Cayman Islands are British Airways and Cayman Airways.

Non-essential travel is strongly discouraged, as options to return are limited and your stay overseas may be longer than anticipated.

British Airways

British Airways will begin operating a fortnightly service between Grand Cayman and Heathrow Airport, UK from 17 September, 2020. Flights can be booked directly at www.ba.com. There is no need to apply to TravelTime for outbound flights to London, however return travel to the Cayman Islands is subject to approval by TravelTime.

Cayman Airways

To book scheduled repatriation flights from Grand Cayman, visit www.caymanairways.com or call Cayman Airways Reservations at 345-949-2311.

Note: Some airlines are offering flights to the Cayman Islands and accepting future bookings. However, no airlines have permission to operate commercial flights while our borders are closed. If you make reservations directly with any airline while the island borders are closed you do so at your own risk and should be aware that vouchers issued by airlines are not transferable to British Airways or Cayman Airways repatriation flights.

Inbound Travel

• Caymanians,
• Permanent residents,
• Work permit holders and their families,
• Persons who own residential property within the Cayman Islands,
• Students with a valid visa to study in the Cayman Islands,
• Persons with close family ties to residents or work permit holders - spouses, fiancés, parents, grandparents and siblings.

Cayman Airways

In partnership with the Cayman Islands Government, Cayman Airways is offering repatriation flights to Grand Cayman from various destinations based on demand, including from: La Ceiba, Honduras; Kingston, Jamaica; and Miami, Florida. For the latest news and information on repatriation flights, visit www.caymanairways.com/latest-news. 

Inbound flights can only be booked through Travel Time, so please email the TravelTime Team at TravelTime@gov.ky 

British Airways

British Airways will begin operating a fortnightly service between Grand Cayman and Heathrow Airport, UK from 17 September, 2020. This will be kept under review until normal service can be resumed.

Dates for upcoming flights include 17 Sept, 1 Oct, 15 Oct, 29 Oct, 12 Nov and 26 Nov.

To make a booking contact British Airways directly at www.ba.com. All Inbound passengers will require pre-approval from TravelTime to enter the Cayman Islands and BA will be checking permissions at Heathrow prior to boarding.

To contact TravelTime visit www.exploregov.ky/traveltime and complete the online form in order to apply for pre-travel approval.

Until October 1st 2020 all returning persons – Caymanians, permanent residents and work permit holders – are subject on arrival to a minimum of 16 days quarantine in a government managed isolation centre, comprised of 14 days in isolation with testing conducted on the 15th day. Test results take 24-72 hours, and a negative test result is required to leave.

For inbound travel after 1st October see also Phased Border Opening.

Note: Some airlines are offering flights to the Cayman Islands and accepting future bookings. However, no airlines have permission to operate commercial flights while our borders are closed. If you make reservations directly with any airline while the island borders are closed you are doing so at your own risk and should be aware that vouchers issued by airlines are not transferable to British Airways or Cayman Airways repatriation flights.

Government Quarantine Information

Mandatory quarantine in a government managed centre is currently required for anyone wishing to return to the Cayman Islands. This entails a minimum of 16 days, comprised of 14 days in quarantine with testing conducted on the 15th day. Test results take 24-72 hours, and a negative test result is required to leave

• Four local hotels are being used to accommodate inbound travellers and are operating as isolation centres rather than hotels.
• The cost for quarantine at a government centre must be paid in advance by the traveller and varies depending on the facility. Note: Caymanians and permanent residents are not required to pay for quarantine at a government facility. Those costs are being met by the Cayman Islands Government.
• Two hotels operate for work permit holders, the two paid facilities currently available: Palm Heights (starting at CI$5,250) and the Ritz-Carlton (starting at CI$9,000). These are operated on a first-come, first-serve basis, depending on availability.
• If/when other facilities may become available further details will be provided. Travellers who opted to isolate in a government facility will be transported to their facility directly from the airport.

Travel To the Sister Islands

Travel to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman will be provided by Cayman Airways. Travel to the Sister Islands will be from Grand Cayman only. No international flights are currently landing in Cayman Brac.

Persons may travel between Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman without being tested for the COVID-19 virus provided that they are not showing any respiratory or other symptoms associated with COVID-19.

To book inter-island travel contact Cayman Airways directly at www.caymanairways.com

From October 1, during the first phase of the phased border reopening, all travellers returning from overseas will be required to undergo quarantine on Grand Cayman before traveling to the sister islands. Read more here.

Information on Repatriation flights and residents seeking to return to home countries

In partnership with the Cayman Islands Government, Cayman Airways is offering repatriation flights from Grand Cayman to various destinations based on demand, including: La Ceiba, Honduras; Kingston, Jamaica; and Miami, Florida.

For the latest news and information on repatriation flights, visit www.caymanairways.com

Repatriation flights to non-hub destinations have been arranged based on demand. Please email TravelTime at traveltime@gov.ky.

A Phased Approach to Travel

Testing Phase: 17th September

25 travellers arriving on the BA flight on 17 September, 2020 were identified to take part in a testing programme. All travellers quarantined alone in their residence.

The purpose of this programme is to gather information on various aspects of the new process, such as:

• the time required to process arrivals under the new procedure (that will be in effect from 1st October, 2020),
• Assessing the airport’s capability to conduct COVID-19 tests
• Evaluating the technology and user experience

The persons selected to participate in the 17th September testing programme are be required to:

• Wear a monitoring device
• Quarantine in a residential or other accommodation approved by the Medical Officer of Health
• Remain in quarantine for a minimum of 14 days,
• Undergo COVID-19 testing on arrival and be re-tested on day 15;

After which a negative test result and sign off by the Medical Officer of Health will be required in order to receive clearance for quarantine to be discontinued.  

A multi-agency public sector team has been working for several weeks to develop a safe and effective quarantine process that is reinforced by monitoring technology, and other safeguards such as regular check-ins. Officials say their objective has been to create a multi-layered process that offers as much protection as is possible to the wider Cayman Islands community.

What’s New In the Phase 1 Pilot Programme- Commencing 1st October 2020

Criteria for entering the Cayman Islands 

In Phase 1 the categories of persons eligible to visit will be extended beyond Caymanians, permanent residents, work permit holders and their families, to also include:

• persons who own residential property within the Cayman Islands; and
• other approved visitors approved via the TravelTime process (TravelTime form)

Due to the fluid nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, border opening and arrivals decisions will continue to be evaluated and the process is subject to change. Travellers are advised to check this website frequently for the latest news and information prior to confirming travel plans.

Entry Requirements

All persons wishing to enter the Cayman Islands will be required to apply to TravelTime for pre-approval to travel to the Cayman Islands from this TravelTime form.

When applying for pre-travel approval, travellers must:

• Either request to participate in the Quarantine at Residence Programme and wear a geofencing monitoring device, OR agree to isolate on arrival in a government centre for a minimum of 16 days. The preferred option must be declared as part of the application through TravelTime.
• Non-resident travellers must provide proof of health insurance that includes COVID-19 coverage.

All passengers must present their travel authorization certificate issued by TravelTime along with any other standard documents required for travel at flight check-in

Persons who do not participate in the Quarantine at Residence Programme will be required to isolate in a government facility for a minimum period of 16 days, comprising of 14 days quarantine with a PCR test on day 15. A negative test result is required to leave the facility. 

Quarantine at residence programme

The locations where persons may quarantine will be expanded to allow for isolation in residential accommodations or other accommodations approved by the Medical Officer of Health, in addition to government-operated quarantine facilities which are coordinated by TravelTime prior to arrival.

Those wishing to quarantine in a residence will be required to:

1. Apply for approval through Travel Time exploregov.ky/traveltime
2. Remain in mandatory quarantine approved by the Medical Officer of Health
3. Will be required to isolate for a minimum period of 16 days, comprising of 14 days quarantine with a PCR test on day 15. A negative test result is required to leave the facility.
4. Acknowledge that others at their residence would also be required to quarantine
5. Wear a device with geo-fencing technology
6. Undergo COVID-19 testing on arrival at the airport

Note: Children aged 5 and up are required to wear  monitoring device and to be PCR tested.

TravelTime

The Cayman Islands Government has established a new entity called TravelTime to provide travel pre-authorisation and coordinate isolation facilities for persons entering the Cayman Islands.

From July 1, 2020, anyone wishing to travel to the Cayman Islands, by air or sea, must apply to TravelTime and receive pre-approval to enter the Cayman Islands.

Contact TravelTime

Call: 649-6913  (8:30am – 5:00pm, Monday – Friday)

Email: TravelTime@gov.ky

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here or click on the questions below to read our frequently asked questions.

1. Are We Using The BioButton In Our September & October Phases?

2. How Will Participants Be Selected For The September Testing?

3. How Will Travellers Be Approved For Quarantine At Residence Programme?

4. How much will it cost to apply for the quarantine at home programme?

5. Can Anyone Qualify For Quarantine At Residence Programme Outside Of Government-Run Facilities?

6. Is The Government Requiring Travellers To Have A PCR Test 72 Hours Before Travel?

7. Will The PCR Test On Arrival Be Completed At The Airport?

8. Will The Sister Islands Be Included In The September Testing Or The October Opening Plans?

September 17 Pilot Programme FAQs may be viewed below:

1. How will my personal information be protected if I wear the monitoring technology

2. How does the monitoring technology work?

3. What happens if the wearer leaves the quarantine location?
4. I’ve completed quarantine and have a negative test result. Can I leave my residence
5. How do I receive shopping or deliveries whilst I quarantine at home?
6. Do I need PCR / COVID-19 test before I travel to Cayman?
7. Who can visit person’s in quarantine at residence?
8. How are people being transported from the airport?