On 8th July, 2021 Premier Wayne Panton unveiled a five-phase reopening plan for Cayman's borders. Transition through the phases remains dependent on the local and international COVID-19 climate.
Stage 4 to Go Ahead:
As of October 22nd 2021, Panton announced that the Cayman Islands will be entering Stage 4 of the reopening plan on 20th November 2021. Please see below for a full outline of what regulations pertain to Stage 4, depending on your vaccination status.
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. After reports of 8 local cases of COVID-19, contracted through community transmission, Premier Wayne Panton announced on September 14th, 2021 that the border reopening proceedings would be halted for the remainder of the year. Presently, Cayman remains at Stage 3.
For a full breakdown of the phases listed below, please click here.
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
- All travellers still required to apply on Travel Cayman Portal
- No cruise tourism
- 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
Phase 4: Reduced Quarantine Restrictions - Effective 20th November 2021
- Quarantine requirements removed for all securely vaccinated travellers. 10 days quarantine period for unverified vaccinations and 14 days quarantine period for unvaccinated travellers
- Travellers are required to make a declaration of travel and vaccination status, with a declaration certificate issued and vaccination checked on arrival.
- Unvaccinated travellers must still apply via Travel Cayman Portal
- Unvaccinated travellers still required to undergo an exit PCR test
- Return to School PCR test required for all unvaccinated children age 5+ returning from international travel
- No cruise tourism
Phase 5: Removal of Quarantine Requirement for Unvaccinated Children - TBD
- 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
- 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.
Please see swipe through a detailed breakdown of phases 1-5 of the official five-phase reopening plan for Cayman's borders below.
Images supplied above are the property of the Cayman Islands Government.