Quarantine time reduced for Covid positives

Anyone quarantining due to a positive Covid test and any of their contacts will now see their quarantine period in which they must remain in isolation reduced, as from Wednesday 19 January.

Vaccinated people with a positive test will now have to isolate for six days and become eligible for an exit PCR test on Day 7, while unvaccinated people will now have to isolate for nine days and become eligible for an exit PCR test on Day 10. It should be remembered that the day of the original positive PCR test is considered Day 0.

If people are currently in quarantine because they are positive for Covid and are eligible for early release (along with their unvaccinated (18+) household members), they can attend a special drive-through testing clinic at Truman Bodden Sports Complex parking lot (opposite John Gray High School walking track) on Wednesday 19 January and Thursday 20 January. The visits are split alphabetically, with regards to surname, as follows:

7am – 8am – Surname A – D

8am – 9am – Surname E – K

9am – 10am – Surname L – R

10am – 11am – Surname S - Z

People attending the exit testing drive-through should enter Olympus Way via Walker’s Road, and should wear a facemask and bring government photo ID showing date of birth.

After testing, people need to return directly home without making stops, until their PCR test results have been received with further instructions. Public Health aims to have these early release exit tests resulted within 48 hours.

Minister of Health & Wellness Sabrina Turner said she welcomed the introduction of these reduced isolation periods as announced by Public Health.

“We understand the difficulties many families have faced because of the Covid-19 restrictions. Currently, we know that there is a large number of persons in isolation and quarantine and this new policy will allow many of them to rejoin the community sooner and safely,” she said.

Daily exit PCR testing clinics for Covid-19 positives individuals will continue 10am – 12pm Friday 21 January at the following locations:

Ed Bush Sports Complex

Bodden Town Civic Centre

South Sound Community Centre

Interim Chief Medical Officer Dr Autilia Newton said: “The continuous evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic requires us to consistently assess how we manage the spread of the virus, while ensuring continuity for our economy. This change to the isolation and quarantine requirements is a step towards us improving the management of Covid-19 to best suit the needs of the Cayman community.”