The Cayman Islands are ready to welcome you back and we’re sure you’re itching to get back! (It is, however, understandable if you’re a bit concerned or timid about what you need to do to meet the travel requirements of our Caribbean nation so that you keep yourself and others safe (and have fun!). Have no fear; we’re about to spell out exactly what you need to do to get your toes back in our sugary white sands…
Newest Travel Regulatory Updates
As of early April 2022, the Cayman Islands Government has made the following amendments with respect to COVID and travel.
Any fully vaccinated person may travel to the Cayman Islands without being subject to quarantine on arrival if they: Complete the pre-arrival test, complete the mandatory medical and travel questionnaire and undergo a medical examination. Additionally, if a Customs and Border Control agent considers it necessary one must complete and submit a travel declaration to Travel Cayman in advance of your travel time. This must be done no later than 72 hours before your trip. You also must provide evidence of the travel declaration when requested to do so by a CBC Officer upon arrival in the Cayman Islands.
Other Important Notes – Cruise Ships
As of March 2022 any person disembarking must have completed an approved vaccine course at least two weeks prior to embarking a cruise ship. This applies for captains and crewmembers of the ship as well. Additionally, unvaccinated children under twelve years old can only disembark when accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult. Lastly, fully vaccinated travellers can enter the Cayman Islands via cruise ship without having to quarantine. The Cayman Islands government also encourages anyone planning to travel to the islands to check back frequently for further updates so they are up to date on the most current information.
More Important Information For Travellers
Take a breath, it will be okay. We have a few more bits of useful information for those of you readying yourself for arrival. Children the age of 11 and younger will take the vaccination status of their parents. This means that we’re allowing fully vaccinated visitors to travel with children aged eleven and younger. Unvaccinated travellers aged twelve and over are not able to travel to the Cayman Islands at this time unless the visitor has a “close tie” to the nation. A “close tie” is defined as any person who can demonstrate that they own a business or property in the Cayman Islands or has a close family tie. A family tie is anyone that is the spouse, civil partner, sibling, parent, stepparent, grandparent, grandchild, child or stepchild of a Caymanian or Resident. Visiting unaccompanied children under the age of 12 years, even if unvaccinated, will not be required to quarantine under certain conditions. If you are an unvaccinated Caymanian or returning person with resident status you will be required to quarantine for at least seven days. For more information about vaccine requirements, quarantine it is strongly suggested that you visit the official Cayman Islands Government website.
Now Let’s Make Those Travel Arrangements
Now that you’re ready to go, lets quickly review the next steps to getting here. First and foremost you must apply to the Travel Cayman portal for an official Certificate to Travel by requesting a Travel Declaration. You also must be fully vaccinated by an approved vaccine. Once you’ve fulfilled those obligations you must take a certified rapid antigen test, a PCR test or a NAAT test the day before departure. This test must display a negative result for any travellers the age of five and older. Additionally, this test can be taken at any time the day before your departure. To eliminate any confusion, the test is not limited to 24 hours before departure so you don’t have to worry about counting the minutes…
Approved Vaccines
Just so you know. These are the approved vaccines for entering the Cayman Islands. Also, it should be know that if a person is found to be producing a false vaccination document they will be liable, on conviction, to a fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for two years.
- Janssen COVID-19 vaccine (Johnson & Johnson) (single dose)
- Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (two doses)
- Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (two doses) European Version SK Bio Version Serum Institute of India version ‘Covishield
- Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (two doses)
- Sinopharm (two doses)
- Sinovac (two doses)
- Novovax
- Covovax
- Covishield (Astrazeneca/India)
- Covaxin
“Mixed doses of approved vaccines taken at least eight weeks apart”
We know it sounds like a lot to digest but trust us, it is very doable and these measures are in place for your safety and the safety of the other travellers and airline staff accompanying you to the Cayman Islands. It is also important to note that these measures are very dynamic and always changing so its important to make sure you are checking back regularly to ensure that you are up to date on the most current information. Someday soon things will be back to normalcy but until then, we’re all in this together. We look forward to seeing you on the beach!