CAL investigating COVID-19 documentation breach in Jamaica

Cayman Airways Limited (CAL) is investigating how a passenger who presented a positive COVID-19 test result upon arrival in Grand Cayman was able to board its flight from Kingston, Jamaica, on Thursday September 9, 2021.

“At Cayman Airways’ Kingston station, our airline requires that our handling agency conducts two checks of negative COVID-19 test results before passengers are allowed to travel on our flights to Grand Cayman,” explained CAL President and CEO, Fabian Whorms. “With today’s apparent breach of that process, we are conducting an internal investigation, and have already initiated measures to institute a third check at the gate prior to boarding. Our airline will be working with the Travel Cayman team and local Public Health authorities in order to also put additional measures in place to ensure that such a situation does not reoccur.”

Mr. Whorms added that all Cayman Airways flight crew are fully vaccinated, wear full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on all international flights, and this evening have been completely cleared by Public Health authorities in Grand Cayman of any possible exposure.

Cayman Airways’ standard COVID-19 safety procedures include onboard social distancing, limited in-flight service, and sanitizing aircraft between flights, which have all been carried out today per usual.

Cayman Airways will provide more updates if and when additional details become available.

Travel Cayman also confirmed yesterday that a passenger on Cayman Airways who tested positive for COVID-19 was able to board flight KX605 arriving from Kingston, Jamaica. As part of the multiple border entry protocols the traveller and their companion were detained on arrival at Owen Roberts International Airport, Grand Cayman by border control officers following passenger checks of PCR tests. Public Health has confirmed that the travellers of concern have been isolated in a Government quarantine facility and arrival PCR testing has been completed. All travellers aboard Cayman Airways KX605 are currently in quarantine and will be closely monitored by Public Health and Travel Cayman. “We are grateful for the vigilance of the CBC Team, who quickly highlighted and addressed this incident”, says Ministry of Health Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez, “and we would like to reassure the community that there is no cause for public health concern"