20 April 2020
COVID-19 Public Update
KEMH UPDATE
A further 18 swabs are on their way to the UK for COVID-19 testing. A batch of 64 swabs were processed last Friday, with none of them reported as positive for COVID-19. All 11 individuals who have so far tested positive for COVID-19 in the Falkland Islands have now completed self-isolation or treatment. In total 319 samples have been sent to the UK so far.
Remember: If you feel unwell with flu-like symptoms and are worried you might have COVID-19. phone the Hospital on 28000. Staff will provide advice. DO NOT come to KEMH directly.
QUEENS BIRTHDAY PARADE CANCELLED
In light of the announcement at the weekend by Her Majesty the Queen, and following consultation between His Excellency the Governor and Buckingham Palace, it has been decided to cancel the Queen’s Birthday Parade on 21 April 2021.
During these difficult days, the people of the Falkland Islands wish Her Majesty a safe and peaceful birthday. His Excellency the Governor and Elected Members would also wish to take this opportunity to thank all who had been preparing to mark the event tomorrow.
BUILDING INDUSTRY RESTRICTIONS
Executive Council on Friday agreed in principle that construction activity on the Islands can resume this Wednesday, 22 April.
Chief Executive Barry Rowland said the final decision would be subject to test swab results from the UK expected to be received tomorrow, Tuesday 21 April.
He said ExCo had considered the issues carefully, included the fact there were still no cases reported in Stanley, and that new measures had been introduced to control movement to and from Mount Pleasant Complex.
Guidance by the Government (see below) is being issued to the sector regarding safe COVID-19 working practices and maintaining social distancing.
Mr Rowland said if the guidance was not followed, the restrictions could be reinstated.
This change would be subject to daily review, based on test results and other circumstances.
Building material merchants will be able to supply building materials to the trade provided they follow safe COVID-19 working practices.
The provision does not include routine servicing or improvement work on residential or commercial properties, although repairs could still be carried out in an emergency provided previous guidelines are followed.
SUMMARY OF GUIDANCE TO BUILDING SECTOR
The government has today published guidance for the building sector on operating under COVID-19 conditions.
These are exceptional circumstances and the industry must comply with the latest Falkland Island Government advice on COVID-19 at all times.
The Site Operating Procedures are based on Public Health England (PHE) guidance and information provided by the Falkland Islands Government Chief Medical Officer;
Anyone undertaking construction activities during the COVID-19 pandemic needs to ensure they are protecting their workforce and minimizing the risk of spread of infection. This includes considering how personnel travel to and from site.
This guidance is intended to introduce consistent measures on construction sites of all types and sizes, in line with the Government’s recommendations on social distancing and ensure employers and individuals make every effort to comply.
Where it is not possible to follow the social distancing guidelines in full in relation to a particular activity, an operator should consider whether that activity needs to continue for the site to continue to operate, and if so, take all mitigating actions possible to reduce the risk of transmission.
The health and safety requirements of any construction activity must not be compromised at this time. If an activity cannot be undertaken safely, it should not take place
Emergency services also have limited resources and may not be able to respond as quickly as usual. This should be taken into consideration in the planning of work activities, first aid, fire and emergency responses. There are also limitations on the availability of aeromedical evacuations.
Organisations must have in place effective arrangements for monitoring and reviewing their compliance with Government and industry guidance. Sites should also remind the workforce at every opportunity of the Site Operating Procedures which are aimed at protecting them, their colleagues, families and the Falkland Islands population.
The full guidance is available at fig.gov.fk/covid-19 under Protecting Your Workforce During COVID-19.
It includes:
- When and How to Travel to Work
- Social Distancing
- What to do if a worker falls sick
- Driving of vehicles at work
- How to manage work site movements.
- Safe hygiene requirements
- Work Planning to avoid Close Working.
- Enhanced cleaning of site surfaces.
- Advice for tradespersons carrying out essential repairs.
ECONOMIC MEASURES
A package of new measures to help our businesses, private sector employees and households was announced on Friday.
The suite of new measures is to assist businesses, private sector employees and households as they adjust to the economic effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic.
The measures when taken together represent a comprehensive approach to addressing the cash flow needs of private sector workers and households and the liquidity needs of micro, small and medium sized businesses over the next three months.
The measures proposed are together comprised of:
- a job retention scheme to assist with employee retention and to support income stability for households;
- an enhanced unemployment subsidy system to support income stability for households where individuals have been economically dismissed;
- direct non-repayable grants to businesses to assist with liquidity;
- provision of government backed loan guarantees for businesses to assist with liquidity, subject to approval of the Secretary of State;
- reductions in electricity rates to support businesses and households
- a waiver of utility service charges for a period of ninety days
- existing government mechanisms that can be accessed during times of need
You can find more detail under latest updates on the web page www.fig.gov.fk/covid-19
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 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
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
Alternatively, if you are worried about something or fearful for your safety or are concerned about a friend or neighbour, you can also reach Social Services by writing your name (or remain anonymous), phone number or email address on a piece of paper with a safe time to call and drop it into one a number of collection boxes in Stanley and they will get back to you at the time you ask. These boxes are at
- The Chandlery
- The West Store
- The Kelper Stores
- IJS Reception
You can also use these boxes to make suggestions on how we, as professionals, can help you through these times of uncertainty. All suggestions will be looked at and answers given if required.
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
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.
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.
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