Statement by Governor Roper

Testing has been an outstanding success of our response to Covid19. We are currently third in the world for tests per capita. Our testing gives us the confidence and evidence needed to move to suppression level 2 (minimal suppression). There remains much uncertainty and complexity out there in the world in dealing with Covid19. We've heard about China and New Zealand but you just have to look at South America, South Asia and what's happening in the US - there are some very difficult situations. We have got ourselves into a very positive position and created a safe bubble for ourselves in Cayman. As Government measures are reduced, the onus is now on each of us to show individual responsibility - keep going with social distancing, basic hygiene and good respiratory behaviour and wearing masks in public. It's really important as we continue to move forward to not let our guard down.

The border clearly remains our biggest challenge and nobody out there has all the answers to this. We're watching very closely what others are doing and there is a lot of work going on to work out how we can safely open our borders. Thanks to all for your cooperation in helping getting us to this place.

I welcome the news about a breakthrough in the treatment of COVID19 from the UK. Oxford University trials of Dexamethasone, an anti-inflammatory drug, has successfully reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by almost a third. There is lots of other science based work taking place in the UK on vaccines and also on rapid tests trials which we are keeping a close eye on.

I can confirm that we will have a flight to Chennai, India on 3 July. This has not been an easy flight to arrange as the Indian government have stringent requirements for personal protective equipment for all flight crews coming into the country. We have arranged for British Airways to come to Cayman to fly Indian Nationals to London and then use one of BA's partners, Qatar Airways, to fly onwards to Chennai. This flight is for Indian Nationals only. If there is demand we will arrange a second plane. Details of how to book will be released soon. Please don't call my office or contact my office just yet.

My office are also discussing proposals with BA for two flights to London over the Summer - most likely first and last weeks of August. These will be for those needing to take their children back to school and for students needing to get to university in the UK. Details are still being worked out but will be shared once finalised. There will be no air bridge to the UK in July.

The deadline to apply to join the Cayman Islands Regiment as a Reservist is this coming Sunday 21 June. We have 50 part time Reservist positions to fill for which we have received around 250 applications so far - which is really positive. I would encourage even more Caymanians to sign up. We hope to have the reservists in place by 1 September. Thanks to the UK Security Assistance Team who have been sifting applicants and are helping to design the two week training course which will be provided to all recruits.