02 September 2020
COVID-19 Public Update
KEMH TESTING
2,261 tests have now been processed, with no positive results received for 134 days.
ANTIBODY TESTING
The KEMH has now undertaken the third round of SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing, looking for antibodies to the virus which causes COVID-19 disease. The test is most sensitive if taken at the time when the body is most likely to mount an immune response, which is usually between 21 days and six months after exposure. A positive result means that an individual has been exposed to the virus at some point in the past, and does not mean that they have the virus or can transmit it.
50 samples were analysed in this round of testing, with two positive test results.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Rebecca Edwards, said:
“Both of these positive test results indicate that they were from people who would have caught the virus while in the UK and not the in the Falkland Islands. The fact that these are the only two positive results since we started testing, shows that the actions the community have taken over the past few months have been very effective in limiting exposure to and spread of the virus, and reinforces how important it is that people follow Government advice. Surveillance swabbing shows that the virus is not currently present in the community, so this result is not something that people should be concerned about. I would encourage people who think that they have had symptoms of coronavirus this year to take advantage of the antibody testing so that we can build a better picture of exposure in the community.”
The reagent used for antibody testing has a limited shelf life so antibody testing is only being carried out at the end of each month. When the next round of testing is available an announcement will be made asking for people to come forward and with details as to how to request a test.
INDIVIDUALS REQUIRING A COVID-19 SWAB PRIOR TO TRAVEL
KEMH has been receiving enquiries from individuals requesting a Covid-19 swab to be undertaken prior to travel. These can be arranged by the following method:
Individuals will need to send their details below to
- Full Name, Address and Date of Birth of individual requiring swab
- Contact number that KEMH can call you
- Date individual will be leaving the Islands
- Country you are travelling to AND the requirements of that country (i.e. swab must be taken within 72 hours of departure)
KEMH will contact you to arrange an appointment for you to attend and will call to advise your results.
REMINDER ON ILLNESS
The KEMH would also like to remind everyone that should you have a cold or flu-like illness, or any gastrointestinal illness, then please stay at home; do not go to work or school.
If you are unwell with any viral-type illness, KEMH ask that you call them on 28000 but DO NOT come to the hospital. Members of staff will provide advice to you on the phone. A reminder that the symptoms of COVID-19 are:
- A new or worsening cough
- A high temperature
- Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
- Sneezing and runny nose
- Temporary loss of taste smell
SURVEY ON RESPONSE TO COVID-19
Thank you for everyone who completed the community survey on the response to COVID-19 or took part in the recent workshops. The survey closed on Friday 7 August.
The total number of surveys completed were 341, this comprised 290 adult responses and 51 surveys from young people between the ages of 3-18.
In addition to this we held 11 workshops, which were attended by 74 people. A process of contacting a number of Camp households across West and East Falkland and the outer islands is underway, to ensure that the views of those who were unable to attend workshops in person are represented.
The results will be used to help us:
- Understand where the biggest COVID-19 impacts have been and who has felt them
- Tackle any problems you have felt as a result of Government actions
- Improve what we do if the risk of COVID-19 increases in the Falkland Islands
ARRANGEMENTS FOR STUDENTS STUDYING IN THE UK
On Thursday 20 August, a meeting was held by the Education Department, to discuss with parents and caregivers, the best way to support young people studying in the UK. Following this meeting, Director of Education Marie Horton, confirmed that FIG has contracted Crown Guardians to provide an opt-in service for UK-based students. Crown Guardians will provide an emergency back up for all Falkland Island students studying in the UK, who are aged 21 and under who have opted in. This service is funded by FIG.
Alongside this optional support, every student will have a Safety Plan, which will be completed by families and shared with FIGO and Crown Guardians, to enable all parties to work closely together. Additionally, every post-16 student studying in the UK must have at least one Guardian living in the country, who can act as a surrogate parent, and is not part of the Crown Guardians contract.
The Education Department will continue to work closely with students and their families over the months ahead as, although a second national UK-wide lockdown is not anticipated, it is possible that there may be local changes that come into force if infection rates increase in the UK.
QUARANTINE AND VISITOR POLICY
On Tuesday 4 August, the Executive Council considered a paper relating to the current Quarantine and Visitor Policy and its implications for tourism, and confirmed the following position:
- That restrictions on the issuing of visitor permits will likely remain in place until at least 31 December 2020, but the restrictions will still be subject to monthly review
- Requirements for persons arriving in the Islands to quarantine will likely remain in force until at least 31 December 2020 (however, the need for quarantine will continue to be reviewed every 42 days in line with the requirements of the Infectious Diseases Control (Coronavirus, Quarantine) Regulations 2020)
The Government is currently reviewing some of the detailed policies around quarantine, to confirm whether the current arrangements remain satisfactory.
Airport transport
Although not a requirement, the Government strongly advises that people use a bus service to travel to Stanley after arriving in the Falkland Islands at Mount Pleasant Airport. This is so that the number of drivers having contact with persons arriving in the Islands and going into quarantine is reduced, which will reduce the risk of transmitting the virus.
Safe practice is encouraged to support this, including the wearing of masks by both passengers and drivers on the bus. If you have any queries about airport transport then please contact Rhiannon Didlick-Smith by emailing
Drivers who choose to collect passengers themselves are strongly encouraged to take the following precautions wherever possible:
- Only one passenger per vehicle unless the passengers live in the same household as each other
- Carry passengers in the back seats if possible
- All parties wear face coverings
- Maximise ventilation where feasible (for example open windows if conditions allow)
- Follow good hand hygiene advise, including the use of hand cleaning gel
LATAM UPDATE
LATAM has confirmed that the Punta Arenas-Santiago route will remain suspended until at least 2 January 2021, and the situation will be reviewed nearer to that date.
As announced on 23 July 2020, the Sao Paolo route is suspended until at least the end of September 2020, and the situation will be reviewed closer to the end of that period.
Commercial flights are critical to the future of the Falkland Islands economy and the quality of life. FIG continues to monitor and review the situation with LATAM on a regular basis and further updates will be provided in due course.
EXTENSION OF COVID-RELATED ECONOMIC SUPPORT SCHEMES, INCLUDING TOURISM
On Wednesday 29 July 2020 ExCo approved the extension of the employment/self-employment, job retention, unemployment subsidy and direct grant schemes which were introduced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and are currently being successfully administered by the Treasury and FIDC. These schemes were due to end on 31 July but have been extended until 30 September, in order to both sustain economic sectors which continue to feel the impacts of the pandemic, as well as to support symptomatic individuals and their households who have been instructed by KEMH to isolate.
A further review of the duration of the schemes, which have collectively provided more than £1 million in relief for people across the Falkland Islands to date, will take place no later than 23 September.
Consideration continues to be given to a range of specific measures to target sectors likely to suffer longer term impacts, including the tourism sector. Over the past month, the government has met regularly with industry representatives to discuss ways to support the sector, including looking at proposals to stimulate domestic tourism in the shorter term. This has involved the detailed analysis of a range of measures to support the industry over the next six months, as well as initiatives to help businesses develop greater resilience in the longer term and prepare for 2021 and beyond. Existing general business support measures have also been factored into these discussions and further information will be released before the end of September.
MLA Mark Pollard, portfolio lead for tourism, said: “We know that the coming summer season will be unlike any other and this is why we have engaged with people from across the tourism sector to better understand how the industry will be affected by the pandemic in the short to medium term. We not only want to ensure that the sector survives the current crisis, but to put plans in place that will provide greater resilience in the longer term, so that the industry is well-positioned to meet future demand and strengthen its contribution to the country’s overall economic development.”
NEXT UPDATE – Q&A UPDATE ON WEDNESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER
As advised, during recess our bi-weekly COVID-19 updates and monthly Q&A session were suspended. The next Q&A update is scheduled for Wednesday 9 September. By the end of the month, the aim is to incorporate any revised or new COVID-19 public information within the usual government communications cycle. Should the situation escalate we will revert to a more frequent schedule.
Our web page, www.fig.gov.fk/covid-19 is also a plentiful source of guidance and information. However, if you have a question or concern which you do not feel has been addressed then please contact the Communications Office on 27400 or email