28 April 2020
COVID-19 Public Update
KEMH UPDATE
Results for the latest batch of 19 test swabs that are in the UK are expected tomorrow. Processing typically takes up to 36 hours. 353 samples have so far been tested in the UK and there have been 13 COVID-19 positive results in total. Two of those 13 remain in isolation at Mount Pleasant Complex, while the remainder of the individuals have either completed isolation or treatment.
If you had a swab taken from KEMH recently, it’s important to note that you need to wait to hear directly from the hospital as to your test result.
Staff are phoning anyone affected within a day of receiving back results, and there's no need to contact the hospital.
If you are waiting for the result of a swab, you must continue to follow advice issued to you by the hospital until KEMH get in touch with you.
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.
EDUCATION
The government is this week reviewing the current advice on the closure of schools and nurseries.
In order to allow further consideration and provide time for associated planning, parents are advised at this stage that schools and nurseries will not reopen before the 11 May.
Information will be provided later this week following further discussions with Members of the Legislative Assembly and consideration by Executive Council.
ADVICE ON WIDER RESTRICTIONS
Advice on wider restriction measures is also being currently reviewed. Any changes to the current arrangements will be announced later this week.
YOUR WELLBEING
If you are feeling anxious and stressed about COVID-19, there are people ready to listen to your concerns and provide support. Feeling worried does not necessarily mean that you have a mental health problem. There is a 7-day service for your emotional wellbeing provided by the KEMH CPN team. Please contact KEMH on 28082.
There are also other contacts you may find helpful:
The UK-based charity Samaritans : 51515 or email
NSPCC: 28888
Citizens Advice Bureau: 55355
The NHS website Every Mind Matters has plenty of resources and tips to help you.
The Community Volunteers led by Vicky Collier have a series of mental health support booklets for young children, older children/teenagers and adults. They can be sent in electronic format, or posted, and there are also copies currently in the Post Office and KEMH reception. All requests are dealt with in the strictest confidence. Contact
Finally, 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.
REMEMBERING LOVED ONES
One of the very difficult things about COVID-19 is how, around the world, it has affected the way we would normally gather to mark those who have passed away.
While we have fortunately not had any COVID-19 deaths here, those who handle mortuary and funeral arrangements have been working to put in place guidance for the community. Some funerals have already been held with social distancing rules.
We are today making that guidance available on our COVID-19 web page, www.fig.gov.fk/covid-19
The Coroner, Sarah Whitby, is available for any questions you might have - you can contact her at the Courts on 27271, that's 27271. The Reverend Ian Faulds, on behalf of faith groups in the Islands, is also here to answer your questions, on 51051, that 51051
PASSPORTS RENEWAL
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak causing problems in UK and to the DHL courier service, obtaining a new British passport from the Falkland Islands will take longer than usual.
If your passport is due to expire in the next six months or was issued before 31 October 2010 it is important that you apply for a new passport as early as possible.
The date of issue is important as some documents were issued for periods of more than 10 years and we are advised that any validity beyond 10 years from the date of issue may not be acceptable for travel in countries other than the UK.
If you have any queries or need to renew your passport please contact the Customs and Immigration Service on 27340 or email
Please do not attempt to renew your passport using the online system available for British citizens resident overseas as you will have to send all of your original documents, including your current passport, by post to the United Kingdom.
TRANSLATIONS
The Falkland Islands Government is frequently putting out new information about the COVID-19 coronavirus, and from the start we’ve been organising translations to reach our diverse community.
Advisories are being translated into Spanish, Filipino and Shona and are available on the COVID-19 web page.
Printed translations of documents are also available in the Post Office, West Store and the Chandlery
FIG would thank our translators for their hard work and commitment to getting the message out.
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. As of April 22, the building sector has also been permitted to resume operation, subject to it following guidance on operating safely in a COVID-19 environment.
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.
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 handling and consuming food and after using the toilet.