CBC SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON BREACH OF ARRIVALS PROTOCOL
In response to a serious breach of the new arrival protocols, the Customs and Border Control (CBC) has set out to clarify the lapse which occurred in the procedures which resulted in an unauthorised traveller entering the jurisdiction.
During Friday’s government press conference it was stated that one person had arrived on the British Airways flight without the proper approval to enter the Cayman Islands been granted.
That person was reported to have subsequently been detained, put into isolation in a government-managed facility and flown out on the returning BA flight on Friday.
However, it now transpires that the person did not leave as stated.
According to the CBC, “the passenger remains at the mandatory isolation facility for the remainder of the quarantine period.”
In updating the situation and detailing the sequence of events, the CBC explained that “despite not having proper Travel Time documentation, British Airways allowed a passenger to board its flight from London to Grand Cayman Thursday 17 September 2020.”
It goes on to state that “upon arrival at Owen Roberts International Airport (ORIA), preliminary vetting by Customs and Border Control (CBC) indicated the passenger was a visitor.”
The Cayman Islands borders are currently closed to visitors, with the country only accepting returning Caymanians, Permanent Residents and work permit holders.
According to CBC, “speaking to the strength of our protocols at the airport, the passenger was pulled aside and sent to a Government isolation facility while further investigations were undertaken.”
It then explains that late on Friday “the outcome of those investigations confirmed that the passenger is a dependent of a permanent resident in the Cayman Islands and permission to remain on Island was reinstated prior to the planned departure of British Airways this evening.”
As such, the CBC now confirms, the passenger remains at the mandatory isolation facility for the remainder of the quarantine period.
The matter was initially relayed by Premier Alden McLaughlin speaking from prepared notes during Friday’s press conference.
“One passenger who did not receive permission from TravelTime and who was arriving as a visitor was processed by CBC was placed straight into quarantine, and departed on the outbound BA flight earlier today,” he reported.
Mr McLaughlin had stressed, “It must remain clear to all that our public policies will be forced. No one should arrive on-island without the necessary approval.”
He said “the safety and well-being of everyone who lives in our islands is paramount to this government,” adding that “we will not rely solely on technology but also back that up with boots on the ground.”
It was stated by the government officials on Friday that feedback to the overall arrivals screening system has been encouraging.
A debrief is planned for Monday to iron out any remaining kinks in the system.
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