Premier Wayne Panton revised the five-phase reopening plan for Cayman's borders on 22nd October 2021 which in summary means that fully vaccinated visitors and Cayman residents will no longer have to quarantine from 20th November 2021. Transition through the phases remains dependent on the local and international COVID-19 climate. Please see an overview of each phase below.
Each phase outlines a gradual easing of restrictions and return of tourism - beginning with a reduced quarantine period and transitioning into a full lifting of quarantine measures and requirements. As of January 20th 2022, we are currently in Phase 5 of the border reopening plan.
Phase 1: Reduced Quarantine Period - Effective June 2021
- Borders are open to returning Caymanians, Residents and Work Permit Holders, Others with close ties to the country, and No cruise tourism
- Pre-Arrival PCR required for all, Arrival PCR no longer required and Quarantine Exist PCR still required
- Quarantine period of 5 days required for those with verifiable vaccinations, 10 days quarantine period for unverified vaccinations and 14 days quarantine period for unvaccinated travellers
- Safety protocols in effect for regulators and industry associates, including PCR testing for frontline workers, masks on public transport, scuba and snorkel rental with approval.
Phase 2: Reduced Repatriation Restrictions - Effective 9th August 2021
- Borders are open to returning Caymanians, Residents and Work Permit Holders, Others with close ties to the country, and No cruise tourism
- Pre-Arrival PCR required for all, Arrival PCR no longer required and Quarantine Exist PCR still required
- Removal of GPS monitoring for 5-day quarantine - still mandatory for travellers not eligble for 5-day quarantine
Phase 3: Limited Introduction of Tourism - Effective 9th September 2021
Testing:
- Pre-arrival PCR test required for all travellers
- PCR test upon arrival no longer required
- Quarantine exit PCR test required for all
Travel:
- Permitted visitors include: limited numbers of securely vaccinated travellers, returning Caymanians, Residents and Work Permit holders, children of Caymanian Residents or under the guardianship/care of a resident
- Non-Permitted visitors: unvaccinated tourists under the age of 12, cruise tourism
- CIAA slot management system is managing flight schedules into the Island
- All travellers still required to apply on Travel Cayman Portal
- Quarantine period of 7 days available for those with verifiable vaccinations, 10 days quarantine period for unverified vaccinations and 14 days quarantine period for unvaccinated travellers
- Periodic spot checks on travellers in quarantine
Phase 4: Reduced Quarantine Restrictions - Effective 20th November 2021
Testing:
- Pre-arrival PCR test required within 72 hours prior to travel date for all travellers age 5 and older
- PCR test upon arrival no longer required
- Quarantine exit PCR test required for all travellers and their quarantine companions age 4 and older
- LFT test on days 2, 5, and 10 required for all travellers not required to quarantine
- Return to School PCR test required for all unvaccinated children age 5+ returning from international travel
Travel:
- Permitted visitors include: securely vaccinated travellers aged 12 and over, returning Caymanians, Residents and Work Permit holders, property owners, travellers 18 and under that are vaccinated with one dose from jurisdictions that only allow one dose for this age group
- Non-Permitted visitors: unvaccinated tourists under the age of 12, cruise tourism
- To enter, vaccinated travellers must make a declaration of travel and vaccination status. More details can be found here.
- Unvaccinated travellers must still apply via Travel Cayman Portal
Quarantine:
- Quarantine requirements removed for all securely vaccinated travellers
- 10 days quarantine required for non-securely vaccinated travellers travelling from a country with a vaccination rate below 60% for the first dose of vaccine, and 14 days quarantine required for unvaccinated travellers and/or adult travellers travelling with unvaccinated minors
Phase 5: Removal of Quarantine Requirement for Unvaccinated Children - Effective 20th January 2022
- Unvaccinated children under age 12 will be allowed to travel to Cayman with vaccinated adult tourists with no quarantine requirements. Unvaccinated travellers over 12 years old will have to quarantine for 14 days
- Unvaccinated children under the age of 12 can now assume the vaccination status of the adult(s) they are travelling with, or their parent(s)
- No cruise tourism
A progress assessment will be carried out following Phase 5 and pending local and global COVID-19 climate, there will be a further relaxing of restrictions and a reopening to cruise tourism. The dates set forth by the Government represent a best-case scenario, and may be adjusted. For a full breakdown of the phases listed above, please click here.