15 April 2020
COVID-19 Public Update
KEMH UPDATE
The number of COVID-19 cases in the Falkland Islands remains at 11. This includes the six positive cases of COVID-19 identified yesterday. Of the 11 Covid-19 cases, nine individuals are in isolation at the Mount Pleasant Complex as part of the ongoing MPC arrangements for dealing with cases. Another individual continues to receive care at KEMH while a second was discharged from the hospital last week. In total, 255 samples have been processed to date in the UK. Further swabs will be sent to the UK on the next South Atlantic Airbridge. Meanwhile the KEMH are asking that any patients coming to the hospital for COVID-19 assessments by a Doctor are to park adjacent to 11 Thatcher Drive, which is opposite the Secretariat and Attorney General's office, and walk to the KEMH COVID-19 Pod to wait for a member of staff.
There are directions painted on the ground and signs positioned for your guidance.
The access road to the KEMH East Ward entrance is to be kept free from all parked cars except those visiting the COVID19 Pod.
In addition this entrance will be used for the delivery and storage of additional oxygen supplies. FIG staff MUST NOT smoke around FIG premises in this area. This is with immediate effect.
The east end walkway from St Mary's Walk is not open to the public, and should not be used by anyone going to the Pod.
ESSENTIAL TRAVEL PROCESS INTRODUCED
BFSAI have stringent restrictions in place and are working hard to reduce movement from MPC to Stanley; this is in order to limit travel to that which is essential only. FIG has explored options including the introduction of a process so that essential travel is specifically authorised; this will support efforts already in place by BFSAI. As of yesterday, we have introduced a registration scheme under which all journeys to and from MPC will need to be approved. The scheme is intended to reduce travel between the two population centres and thereby minimise the risk of COVID-19 across the Falklands.
Monitoring will continue over the coming days and weeks. Please only travel between the two locations if absolutely necessary; we ask the public for their support in this.
Anyone travelling from MPC must have written authorisation with them.
People travelling in from Camp may get stopped, in which case they will be offered advice on social distancing.
Persons who use the MPA road for reasons, such as travel to and around Camp, do not need to register.
In relation to the registration process itself enquiries should be addressed to your employer in the first instance or
You can also access the form on the www.fig.gov.fk/covid-19 web page.
AIRPORT TRAVEL FOR CIVILIANS
We would like to advise that all inbound and outbound Stanley based civilian passengers must be booked onto approved commercial airport transport for travel to and from MPC.
Please contact
This is to minimise journeys in and out of MPC in line with current COVID19 arrangements.
DECISIONS BY GOVERNMENT
The Falkland Islands Government is constantly evaluating the level of its COVID-19 response and will advise the public if there is to be a change in present restrictions.
The 14 day period of payroll support for non-essential workers, who cannot work from home, as allowed for in the Private Sector and Self-Employment Support Scheme was yesterday extended to April 24.
Executive Council also agreed earlier this week to exempt diagnosis and treatment for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 from the existing charging regime. This is to ensure all persons present in the Falkland Islands have confidence to access appropriate health advice and treatment in relation to COVID‐19.
ASK YOUR QUESTIONS
If there is something you want to know about the Government’s COVID-19 response, please tune into Let’s Talk at 7pm tonight on the Falkland Islands Radio Service.
A panel comprising the Chief Executive Barry Rowland, Chief Medical Officer Dr Rebecca Edwards and MLA Leona Roberts will be taking your questions.
Questions can be sent beforehand to
MV PHAROS RETURNS
The Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands patrol vessel the MV Pharos SG will return to Stanley on Thursday 16 April. The vessel has been kept isolated since February even during its port calls to the Falklands.
There have been no COVID-19 cases on South Georgia or on MV Pharos SG. Therefore any personnel from South Georgia or departing the Pharos are coming from a COVID-19 free area.
Onboard are six members of staff are transiting the Falkland’s en-route to the UK. They are due to depart the Falklands on the Airbridge this Sunday 19 April. They will remain on the Pharos until departure for the flight. There will be no interaction between the vessel and shore-side activities.
GSGSSI would like to take this opportunity to thank its many partners in the Falklands, with particular thanks to Byron Marine for their sustained hard work in help MV Pharos SG continue normal operations.
A REMINDER ON HOME WASTE
The public are reminded that all household waste should be bagged and sealed and then placed in your outdoor bins. Any excess or overflow of waste will not be collected by the refuse personnel. However, members of the public will have the opportunity to dispose of this excess waste by placing their bin bags into the refuse truck themselves during the bin collection.
The public are also reminded that wheelie bins should always be treated as being unhygienic and therefore the wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment i.e. gloves is recommended. The refuse personnel will be wearing their own personal protective equipment.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding the disposal of household waste then please contact the PWD Maintenance Manager on 27178 or 53900 or email
WHERE TO FIND HELP
There are many sources of help, support or advice that you can reach out to during these uncertain times.
If you have any concerns or queries regarding financial matters, welfare or safeguarding concerns for yourself, your family or someone you know, please contact Social Services on 27296. They operate a 24-hour service and an after-office hours you can call on 28100. Issues can also be raised by contacting KEMH and its CPN Service. You can also call the Early Help Service for advice or support on 52281 or
You can also reach Social Services by writing your name and contact information on a piece of paper and drop it into one a number of collection boxes in Stanley. These are at.
Boxes are available at:
- The Chandlery
- The West Store
- The Kelper Stores
- IJS Reception
Alternatively, you can also contact the Community Volunteers for additional support and a listening ear at
YOUR WELLBEING:
It is understandable if you are worried about your safety and that of your loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic. Local support is available as a 7-day service from the emotional wellbeing team at KEMH on 28082.
You may also find the following contacts helpful:
Samaritans (UK based charity): 51515 or email
NSPCC: 28888
Citizens Advice Bureau: 55355
Advice around the Falkland Islands Government’s COVID-19 response can change. Please watch out for further statements from the Government in local media and through the FIG and Community Facebook pages, the web page www.fig.gov.fk/covid-19 and other channels.
HEALTH
KEMH has put into effect its well-developed plans for handling COVID-19 cases.
Patients requiring emergency treatment of any sort including respiratory, and cold like symptoms are asked to contact the hospital on 28000 and discuss their condition with a member of the clinical staff who will then advise.
Routine GP and Dental appointments have been suspended. Those affected will be contacted by KEMH.
The Pharmacy is able to take prescription requests. But please do NOT come to the Pharmacy solely for the purpose of ordering a prescription, nor if you have COVID-19 like symptoms. Please either e-mail
EDUCATION CHILDCARE
The Education Department is providing childcare for the children of essential key workers to enable them to go to work. Parents in this category have been contacted directly.
The emergency childcare remains open during the school holidays. Schools and playgrounds remain closed.
For queries, please call 27294.
CURRENT GUIDANCE ON ESSENTIAL WORK CATEGORIES
We are currently advising everyone to reduce all non-essential activities until further notice; everyone should stay at home where they can, and work from home where possible.
Essential activities, at this stage, include critical and key work, where this cannot be done from home.
Essential work categories are available on our www.fig.gov.fk/covid-19 website under the 26 March update.
If you are unclear about where your function or activities sit please contact the Secretariat on 28450.
Following receipt of the most recent test results, the situation will be reviewed again.
HOW TO ACCESS EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE SUPPORT PACKAGE
The Falkland Islands Government’s support package announced on 25 March 2020 is for private sector employers with employees, as well as the self-employed who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government is doing this to reinforce and support the strong public health action which the Falkland Islands Government is taking to protect the population and minimise the social and economic impact of this challenging issue.
How to apply – Application forms along with other guidance are available through:
Falkland Islands Government - www.fig.gov.fk/covid-19
Falkland Islands Development Corporation - www.fidc.co.fk/library/covid-19
If you need assistance filling out the forms, contact Sian Davies, Business Development Officer, at FIDC telephone 51211.
VOLUNTEERING
The Falkland Islands Government are looking for members of the public to join the Community Volunteers to help those who are currently self-isolating. Vicky Collier is the Volunteer Coordinator.
If you are interested in being a volunteer, email
- Contact details
- What would you like to volunteer for
- Any particular skills you can offer
- If you are happy for your contact details to be shared
If you are in self-isolation or know someone who is that may need support contact Vicky on
FIGO SERVICES
While the Falkland Islands Government Office in London is closed all staff are working from home to help all Islanders in the UK, Falkland Islands organisations, FIG, and anyone traveling to and from the Islands. Please do not hesitate to contact them:
For Airbridge – Please contact our Travel Co-Ordinator Teryn Joshua on either 07984 096 726 or
For Medical – Please contact our Medical Co-Ordinator Gemma Clayphan on 07399 163140 or
For Students – Please contact the Deputy Representative Michael Betts on
For all other queries regarding COVID-19 or any other issues, we can be reached via 020 7222 2542 (message will provide a range of contact information) or
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
Executive Council is meeting regularly to consider response and make other policy related to the COVID-19 response. MLAs are also meeting regularly to consider COVID19 related matters.
Regular portfolio and other meetings are postponed until mid-April 2020.
HELP US FIGHT COVID-19
What to do if you feel unwell and are worried you might have COVID-19. If you have flu-like symptoms, phone the Hospital on 28000. Staff will provide advice. DO NOT come to KEMH directly.
The symptoms of COVID-19 are:
- a cough
- a high temperature
- sore throat
- shortness of breath
- aches and pains in muscles and joints
But these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness. The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu. Please remember the importance of good public health hygiene measures:
- Always cough and sneeze into a tissue and dispose of the tissue safely in a bin and wash your hands afterwards. If you do not have a tissue, sneeze and cough into the crook of your elbow.
- If you are unwell with any infectious illness, please act responsibly and stay away from people and crowds and isolate yourself as much as possible.
- Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and avoid sharing personal items.
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use a disinfectant, especially after coughing and sneezing, and always before