04 November 2020
COVID-19 Public Update
KEMH TESTING
3,417 tests have now been processed in total, with no positive results received for 194 days.
UPDATE ON SWAB TESTING
We continue to offer three types of swab testing in the Falkland Islands. The first is symptomatic swabbing, offered to people with flu-like symptoms and taken on day two or three after symptoms appear.
Surveillance swabbing provides us with the confidence that Covid-19 is not present in the community and is offered particularly to individuals who frequently interact with the public, but also to the Stanley population generally. Requests for surveillance swabbing can be booked by emailing:
Finally, we recently introduced quarantine swabbing. The hospital has been running this additional programme for the past few weeks, which involves offering new arrivals to the Islands the opportunity to have three swabs taken during their 14-day quarantine. This programme is also offered to anyone sharing accommodation with someone in quarantine.
Quarantine swabbing is not mandatory as it is an invasive procedure, however we very much encourage people to engage with the programme on arrival in the Islands as it provides them with personal assurance that they are not infected with the virus, whether they display the symptoms or not. To date the uptake for quarantine swabbing has been very good and people are engaging with the programme.
INDIVIDUALS REQUIRING A COVID-19 SWAB PRIOR TO TRAVEL
For anyone requiring a Covid-19 swab to be undertaken prior to travel, these can be arranged by emailing
- Full Name, address and date of birth of the person requiring the swab
- Telephone number for KEMH to contact the person requiring the swab
- Date that the individual in question will be leaving the Islands
- Country the person is travelling to AND the requirements of that country (i.e. swab must be taken within 72 hours of departure)
BLOOD TEST PROCESSING
Due to the volume of work produced by the amount of Covid-19 swabbing currently being undertaken, KEMH is looking to use its laboratory to optimum effect. This is likely to mean that routine bloodwork will no longer be turned around within 24 hours, however emergency requests and symptomatic swabs will continue to be prioritised as they are now.
Following a review of the laboratory workload, a decision will be made later this week on how best to manage the situation and, following this, concise guidance will be issued for clinicians both at KEMH and the MPC Medical Centre.
ILLNESS REMINDER
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 asks that you call them on 28000 but DO NOT go 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 or smell
QUARANTINE AND VISITOR POLICY
Last week the government launched a survey seeking feedback on improving transport arrangements to and from the airport, prior to finalising these changes and updating regulations within the next few weeks. 118 people have responded to the survey, which aims to understand if there are any areas of the updated arrangements that are unclear or where problems might arise. The survey closes on 8 November, so please visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Feedback-on-Quarantine-Arrangements to share your feedback. Alternatively, you can email
The revised arrangements will be implemented swiftly and these will be publicised closer to the time. For the moment, the key things to remember about quarantine are:
- During quarantine you are restricted to your home and your garden and you should remain there unless you require medical assistance or there is an emergency
- During quarantine do not meet friends, go to work, school or public areas, or use public transport until you have completed your 14 full days of quarantine
- You can order groceries, electricity cards, fuel, other shopping or medication over the phone and the delivery instruction needs to state that the items are to be left outside or in the porch, as is appropriate for your home
- Do not invite or allow visitors to enter your property or garden, only those who live in your household should be allowed to stay
- You cannot go for a walk, run or drive, even to a remote place
Mindful of the fact that students will be returning to the Falkland Islands for Christmas, the government has already written to parents to remind them of the quarantine requirements. There will continue to be information sent out to students prior to their departure from the UK and a Public Service Announcement will sent out across the community as a reminder that all visitors arriving in the Islands for the festive break will still be subject to quarantine.
SURVEY ON RESPONSE TO COVID-19
The results of the Covid-19 survey, alongside a number of recommendations, are on track to be presented to the Government’s Corporate Management Team and MLAs by the middle of November, and it is anticipated that publication will follow those discussions.
LATAM UPDATE
LATAM has confirmed that the Sao Paolo route will remain suspended until at least 18 November 2020, and FIG is currently discussing with LATAM the date for a continued suspension. As announced on 27 August 2020, the Punta Arenas-Santiago route will remain suspended until at least 2 January 2021, and the situation will be reviewed closer to the end of that period.
UPDATE ON THE TRIP PROGRAMME
Since its launch over 1,400 people have applied to the Tourism Recovery Incentive Programme (TRIP) for Falkland Island residents which is fantastic news. As a reminder, to use the scheme you will first need to register, which you can do online or in person. All of the details are available by visiting https://www.falklandislands.travel/ The scheme is in operation until 31 March 2021, as we do not anticipate having any international tourists visit the Islands until at least this time.