Clarification of Self-Isolation Requirements
The Ministry of Health Cayman Islands is providing the public with clarification on who should self-isolate to ensure full understanding and compliance.
Young people reminded of mandatory self-isolation requirement for all, with hundreds of students (and others) returning from overseas before Sunday 22 March. This will also be a requirement for friends, family and any who come in contact with them.To ease this burden Government is in discussions with private partners to create a central facility that will allow students aged 18 and older the option to self-isolate away from their families, removing the need for all to self-isolate.Another facility will provide accommodation to essential services personnel. This includes firemen, nurses, doctors and police officers who are family of returning students who choose not to self-isolate with their families in order to report to work.Students and essential persons who seek such accommodation should call the NEOC between 9am and 5pm on 1-800-534-6555. All are reminded to practice social distancing at the airport.
Individuals in the Cayman Islands:
Anyone who believes they may have come in contact with someone who has coronavirus should self-isolate at home for 14 days.
Anyone who shows symptoms of coronavirus should self-isolate at home for 14 days. Symptoms include a cough, fever or shortness of breath.
In both cases, the individual should also contact the ‘Flu Hotline on 1-800-534-8600 or 947-3077 to inform the Health Services Authority and seek medical advice. Alternatively, they may also contact their regular GP via phone.
Individuals travelling from overseas:
Individuals arriving from anywhere overseas are required to self-isolate at home for 14 days whether they show any symptoms of coronavirus or not. Those that do display symptoms including a cough, fever or shortness of breath, are also required to contact the ‘Flu Hotline or their regular GP to seek medical advice.
If a member of a household is required to self-isolate, due to any of the circumstances described above, everyone in the household are also required to self-isolate, even if they do no show symptoms.
Members of the household should limit their contact and maintain a 6 foot distance from the individual who is suspected of having coronavirus.
“If we don’t isolate the whole household, then the effect of isolating the individual is negated and the rest of the community is at risk,” said Chief Medical Officer, Dr. John Lee.
The practices of self-isolating and maintaining social distancing have proven successful in halting the spread of coronavirus in other countries.
Dr. Lee continued, “Limiting any potential exposure to COVID-19 is our best defence against transmitting the virus. Changing our behaviour may seem difficult or inconvenient but we must think about the most vulnerable in our community and do whatever we can to protect them.”
