Public Health Department has announced that effective 1 March 2023, confirmation PCR testing for positives will no longer be required and COVID testing centres will cease operations on all three islands. LFT positive online reporting will also no longer be required.
We continue to recommend that cases and primary contacts of cases of Covid-19 continue to follow the existing advice on isolation and testing:
- Vaccinated & Unvaccinated COVID-19 positive persons will isolate for 6 days and leave isolation on day 7 as long as you have no symptoms
- Vaccinated & Unvaccinated Contacts - Persons who are primary contacts of COVID-19 positive persons must conduct daily lateral flow testing for 6 days, but may continue usual activities
Note: The day of your original positive LFT test is considered Day 0.
We understand that some people may be concerned about what self-isolation means for you and your family. This section covers questions relating to isolation as a result of testing positive for COVID-19 in the Cayman Islands. Click the drop-down sections below to skip to the relevant questions.
Isolation means you need to stay indoors and avoid contact with other people. There are no exceptions, including to shop for groceries and other necessities.
All persons who have tested positive are required to isolate for a period of no less than 7 days.
It is important to follow this advice for the whole period, even if you do not have any symptoms of COVID-19.
DO
- Stay at home
- Ask friends, family members or delivery services to carry out errands for your such as getting groceries, medicines or other shopping
- Make sure you tell delivery drivers to leave items outside for collection
- Clean toilets and bathrooms regularly
- Think about a bathroom rotation if a separate bathroom is not available, with the isolated person using the facilities last, before thoroughly cleaning the bathroom themselves
- Use separate sheets and towels from anyone else in the household and launder at the hottest temperature possible for the material
- Wash crockery and utensils thoroughly with soap and water; dishwashers may be used to clean crockery and cutlery
- There is no evidence pets can be infected with coronavirus; however, it is good practice to wash your hands after contact
DON'T
- Don't invite visitors to your home or allow visitors to enter
- Don't go to work, school or public areas
- Don't use public transport or taxis
- Don't share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, bedding or other items with other people in your home
- Don't remove, pass (or permit removal or passing of) any item from your place of isolation.
Persons are required to isolate if
- you are experiencing symptoms that include:
- coughing
- shortness of breath
- fever
- you have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus
- you have been advised to do so by the Public Health Department
Note: The day of your original positive test is considered Day 0.
For some people, isolation can be boring or frustrating. You may find your mood and feelings being affected and you may feel low, worried or have problems sleeping.
There are simple things you can do that may help, such as staying in touch with friends and relatives on the phone or by social media and you may find it helpful to talk to them if you want to.
Do know that it is okay to not be okay, but please try not to panic. Caring professionals are here for you. Call 1-800-534-6463 (MIND) to speak to our Mental Health Helpline from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.
There is also a support line available for people in isolation, which can be reached by calling 946-3530. The Isolation Support Line is also available toll-free by calling 1-800-534-3530, and by email to isolationsupport@gov.ky
The Isolation Support Line’s operational hours are from 9 am to 4 pm from Monday to Friday, and from 9 am to 1 pm on Saturday. Calls on Saturday and Sunday will be forwarded to the Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI) Duty Officer.
1. Stay At Home
You should remain in your home. Do not go to work, school, or public areas, and do not use public transport or taxis. You cannot go for a walk.
2. Separate Yourself
Minimise the time you spend in shared spaces such as bathrooms, kitchens and sitting rooms as much as possible and keep shared spaces well ventilated.
Aim to keep three feet away from people you live with and sleep in a different bed where possible. If you can, use a separate bathroom from the rest of the household. Make sure you use separate towels from other people in your house, both for drying yourself after bathing or showering and for hand-hygiene purposes. Ask your family or the people you live with to remember to use their own towels.
3. Separate Facilities
If you do share the toilet and bathroom with others, it is important that you clean them after you have used them every time (for example, wiping surfaces you have come into contact with). Another tip is to consider drawing up a rota for bathing, with you using the facilities last, before thoroughly cleaning the bath, sink and toilet yourself.
If you share a kitchen with others, avoid using it while others are present. Take your meals back to your room to eat. If you have one, use a dishwasher to clean and dry your used crockery and cutlery. If this is not possible, wash them using your usual washing up liquid and warm water and dry them thoroughly, remembering to use a separate tea towel.
We understand that it will be difficult for some people to separate themselves from others at home. You should do your very best to follow this guidance and everyone in your household should regularly wash their hands, avoid touching their face and clean frequently touched surfaces.
A. If You Live Alone With Children
Keep following this advice to the best of your ability, however we are aware that not all these measures will be possible.
What we have seen so far is that children with COVID-19 appear to be less severely affected. It is nevertheless important to do your best to follow this guidance.
If a child develops symptoms, they need to stay at home for 7 days from the onset of their symptoms.
B. If You Live With An Older, Vulnerable Or Pregnant Person
If you provide care to an elderly, vulnerable or pregnant person, follow this advice to the best of your ability.
C. If You Are Breastfeeding While Infected
There is currently no clinical evidence to suggest that the virus can be transmitted through breast milk. Infection can be spread to the baby in the same way as to anyone in close contact with you. The benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any potential risks of transmission of the virus through breast milk or by being in close contact with your child, however, this will be an individual decision and can be discussed with your general practitioner.
If you wish to breastfeed, take precautions to limit the potential spread of COVID-19 to the baby by:
- washing your hands before touching the baby, breast pump or bottles
- avoiding coughing or sneezing on the baby while feeding at the breast
- cleaning any breast pump as recommended by the manufacturer after each use
- considering asking someone who is well to feed your expressed breast milk to the baby
If you are feeding with formula or expressed milk, sterilise the equipment carefully before each use. You should not share bottles or a breast pump with someone else. You can find more information at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists website.
4. Arrange Deliveries
You will need to ask friends or relatives if you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication. You can also order your shopping online as some supermarkets offer delivery services. Make sure you tell delivery drivers to leave items outside for collection if you order online. The delivery driver should not come into your home.
5. No Visitors
During your self-isolation, the household can have no visitors. There must be no movement inside or outside.
There is a support line available for people in isolation, which can be reached by calling 946-3530. The Isolation Support Line is also available toll free by calling 1-800-534-3530, and by email to isolationsupport@gov.ky.
The Isolation Support Line’s operational hours are from 9a.m. to 4 p.m. from Monday to Friday, and from 9a.m. to 1p.m. on Saturday. Calls on Saturday and Sunday will be forwarded to the Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI) Duty Officer.
There is no requirement for a person to test once isolation has been completed.
More Questions?
Please contact the Flu Hotline at 1-800-534-8600 or 947-3077.
If you are seeking industry-specific guidance on LFT testing and isolation, visit here.
