Falkland Islands Government
COVID-19: Information and Guidance

04 August 2021

COVID-19 Public Update

Welcome to August’s monthly Covid-19 update.

KEMH TESTING

  • Total number of swab tests taken and processed to date: 7409
  • Total number of swabs taken but not yet tested: 0
  • Total number of positive test results since 3 April 2020: 66
  • Number of current positive test results within the Islands: 3

Our surveillance swabbing programme continues to be a success, with three current positive cases identified whist in quarantine. These individuals are not unwell and have not required admission to hospital. First degree contacts have been identified and all are safely self-isolating for the required time.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

A full list of northbound and southbound travel requirements, can be found on the Falkland Islands Government’s Covid-19 website, please visit: www.fig.gov.fk/covid-19

While it is no longer a legal requirement in England to wear masks, Airtanker – operators of the South Atlantic Airbridge – have mandated the wearing of masks onboard all flights, north and southbound. This includes at Brize Norton while waiting to depart, while boarding the plan and onboard the aircraft. Airbridge has the right to refuse to carry passengers, or their baggage, if they do not requirement with the requirement to wear a mask.

To clarify a few further points on southbound travel:

  • No one should be asked for proof of vaccination as this is not a standard check-in procedure, nor is it UK government policy
  • Your negative Covid-19 test result must be in a name that is similar to that displayed in your passport – if your passport is in your maiden name, please ensure your test is in your maiden name, as otherwise you must have your marriage certificate with you
  • Your negative test has to be a PCR test result, lateral flow tests are not accepted
  • People are asked to ensure they complete their documentation correctly before arriving in the Islands, this includes providing the correct contact telephone number on their ICD5 form so that KEMH can easily get in touch – failure to provide a valid number will likely result in a police visit.

 

QUARANTINE

Information on the Falkland Islands Government’s current quarantine measures can be found online by visiting: www.fig.gov.fk/covid-19  

Currently a mandatory 14 days of quarantine must be undertaken on arrival in the Falkland Islands. However, there is also a “test to release” option under which you may be able to complete quarantine early, on day 5 or day 8, depending on your vaccination status. 

In order to opt for the 5 day “test to release” you must provide proof you have completed the full course of a vaccination approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) at least two weeks before your arrival.  These are currently: Oxford-AstraZeneca (two doses), Pfizer (two doses), Moderna (two doses) or Janssen (single dose) vaccines. Under this option you will be swabbed within 48 hours of arrival and on day 5. If both tests are negative you will be informed that you may leave quarantine. On the first swab visit the clinician will review your vaccine evidence so please have this ready. The clinician must be satisfied with all vaccination documentation provided, whether that be the NHS app, a vaccination card, a vaccination letter or a doctor’s note.

If you are partially vaccinated, not vaccinated or travelling with children, you can opt for “8 day test to release”. You will be offered a test within 48 hours of arrival, and again on day 8. If both tests are negative you will be informed that you may leave quarantine.

If you, or anyone you are sharing quarantine accommodation with, tests positive on either occasion you must remain in quarantine for the full 14 days. In this case you will be offered an additional swab on day 13 and you may be asked to continue to self-isolate after the end of the quarantine period, especially if you develop symptoms of coronavirus.

If you do not want to be tested while in quarantine you must remain in quarantine for the full 14 days as must everyone who is in quarantine with you.

SELF-ISOLATION

KEMH wishes to remind the public of the continued importance of reporting cold and flu-like symptoms. If you are experiencing symptoms, please contact KEMH on 28000, you will be asked to provide a contact number by the reception staff and asked to self-isolate until advised otherwise.

A clinician will call you as soon as possible to advise whether you need to continue isolating or be swabbed. There is currently a high volume of patients so there may be a small delay while the KEMH works as quickly and as safely as possible.

If you have a viral illness such as a cold or flu it remains important to stay at home, away from others, until you are well. Any child with a fever, who is coughing, has a green snotty nose, is not eating or drinking, or has diarrhoea or vomiting should stay away from nursery or school. They should be free of fever and generally well for at least 24 hours before returning to school.

Remember, in order to avoid spreading viruses:

  • Catch it: germs spread easily; carry tissues and use them to catch your cough or sneeze
  • Bin it: germs can live for several hours on tissues, dispose of these as soon as possible
  • Kill it: hands can transfer germs to every surface you touch, so clean your hands often.

MEDEVAC SERVICES

KEMH would like to remind the public that it remains increasingly difficult to arrange for people to receive care and treatment outside of the Islands. This is due to a lack of hospital beds because these are in use by Covid-19 patients. People are reminded to take extra care if they undertake activities which might put them at risk of significant injury and requiring medevac services. This situation does not impact on planned medical treatment for people travelling to the UK, although KEMH continues to work closely with the NHS, in the event that a resurgence of Covid-19 in the UK may impact on these plans.

LATAM FLIGHTS

Further to the announcement made on 21 April, the Falkland Islands Government can confirm that commercial airlinks with both Chile and Brazil will remain suspended until at least 1 February 2022. As with previous reviews, the latest one took into account the prevailing travel and border restrictions, as well as the latest public health data on the progress of the pandemic in South America and the global status of vaccinations.

Director of Development and Commercial Services, Catherine Silva Donayre, said: “Living in the Falkland Islands, we absolutely appreciate the importance of our travel connections with the outside world, and FIG and LATAM want to reinstate these routes as soon as it is practically possible and remain committed to the long term viability of these flights. Having reviewed the situation regarding international border restrictions and the current status of the pandemic in South America, we have agreed this will not be possible this year. The suspension of flights impacts on individuals, households and businesses, and we know it is hard for many people, however we hope that everyone understands that these decisions are not taken lightly. While, it is not anticipated that flights will resume before February, FIG and LATAM will review the situation again in November.”

 

The next monthly Covid-19 update for the Falkland Islands will be on 1 September 2021.