New changes coming to COVID-control protocols

Cruise ships will begin returning to The Cayman Islands from March 21.

That’s the word from the island’s tourism minister, Kenneth Bryan, who says the resumption of the industry will be a phased approach with arrivals initially limited to a maximum of 40 per cent of previous passenger volumes. The decision, which is pending Cabinet approval, is expected to be confirmed this week when formal changes to the COVID control regulations will be made.

During the first phase, slated to last four weeks, total cruise passenger numbers will be capped at 75,000 – just less than half of the monthly average for 2019. If all goes to plan, that visitor cap will be lifted late April, though health regulations will remain in place.

The return of cruise ships to George Town, for the first time in two years, will be good news for the taxi drivers and tour operators that rely on the sector for the majority of their business.

Bryan, who issued a press release on the weekend, said the incumbent administration does not take the decision to reintroduce cruise tourism lightly pointing out that while the pandemic persists, all travel, whether by air or sea, presents a certain degree of risk.

 “However, as we are seeing with stay-over arrivals, our island’s high vaccination rate, coupled with having the right safety protocols in place, is allowing our tourism industry to recover,” the tourism minister articulated in the press release.

No details given on pending changes to travel regulations

The Government did not give precise details at this stage of what conditions or testing requirements cruise lines and their passengers must meet to anchor and disembark in Cayman.

The proposed regulations are being reviewed by the Programme Board and partner agencies.

Speaking on Friday with Cayman Compass, Troy Leacock, Cayman Islands Tourism Association vice president and spokesperson for the North Sound boat operators, said the anticipated return of cruise would be welcomed by many businesses.

He is anticipating a relatively slow ramp-up and suggested business owners may need continued support from government through July, as they dust off the cobwebs and get their boats and buses back at full throttle. Leacock acknowledged that the cruise sector was not supported by everyone in Cayman but said there were many businesses and jobs that rely on those visitors.

Speaking on the Cayman Compass and Rooster FM weekly news show Beyond the Headlines last Friday, Leacock admitted that more work needs to be done to make the cruise industry more profitable for the island.