13 May 2020
COVID-19 Public Update
KEMH UPDATE
KEMH is continuing to collect swabs as part of its regular monitoring for COVID-19.
A batch will be sent on the next South Atlantic Airbridge to the UK.
The results will assist hospital staff who are working on introducing a new analyser that will allow in-island testing.
Trialling the analyser is now underway, and part of that will be comparing local trial testing results with those of swabs to be sent to the UK.
So far 402 tests have been carried out in the UK, with the most recent seven tests all negative on Friday for COVID-19.
There have been 13 positive COVID-19 results in the Falklands but all those affected have recovered or ended their isolation period.
Meanwhile with the 11 May easing of restrictions, the Dental Department is now taking appointments, phone 28020.
Arrangements for pharmacy continue as before - request repeat prescriptions via the dispensary answerphone 28011 or email
Your prescription can be collected on your behalf by someone not in self-isolation. Allow 2 working days from request to collection.
Prescription delivery remains available for anyone in isolation (please request this when you put in your repeat request).
Most importantly, 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.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Our food retailers have done a great job in the past weeks staying open and providing delivery services for those in isolation. They’ve taken steps to ensure this was all done with social distancing in mind. Social distancing means staying two metres away from others, where possible.
We still need everyone to observe this everywhere – it’s a very tangible way to protect our community as we do not know when or where a COVID-19 case might occur. However shops are reporting that since the Government eased some restrictions in the past week, some customers have become lax about social distancing. They’ve had to remind people that social distancing is still in place. The message is the same as before to help our retailers and keep their staff safe – everyone should still send only one person per household to the store and to leave children at home where possible. If you can, make one main shop a week to help ease congestion. As well, inquire with the retailer about home delivery as an option.
BUBBLES
The idea of ‘bubbles’ is to allow you and your family to have some social interactions – we are no longer asking you to STOP being with people (as we have for the last 6 weeks or so), but to LIMIT the number of people you socialise with.
So, keep to three household bubbles at any one time. You can mix with different households on different occasions – but use common sense and try to keep it to a minimum. This means that you should not be having parties with three different households every other night!
If you think that you’re interacting with too many people, then you probably are – so use your judgement.
This is NOT life as normal – it’s a gradual step and moves us to a new way of living which allows greater freedom than you have had for weeks, but still allows us to protect each other.
Think about the bubble analogy – if you go into someone’s space, you burst their bubble and yours as well – so do it sparingly and keep your bubble small.
If you’re not feeling well – don’t visit people. If someone is on the highly vulnerable list – ask yourself if you should be visiting them – does it increase their risk?
When you do choose to interact with other households, think about just how close you need to be. Use your judgement and be cautious; continue to follow the guidelines on handwashing etc.
If you would normally hug a friend when you meet, do you actually need to do that? Better to just keep a sensible distance, but at least you can be again.
If your children haven’t seen their grandparents for six weeks, of course they will want to give them a hug. It’s unrealistic to think that they won’t, but again just try to be cautious and sensible about it and think about how big a bubble you have created in your other social interactions.
CONTACT TRACING
A really important part of the bubble system is that it will allow for contact tracing if the virus were to enter the community.
We are asking people to consider keeping a diary (just a note) of social interactions, so if the worst were to happen and you became ill, the hospital could quickly and easily trace who you had been in close contact with.
Work and schools do NOT count as one of your bubbles. In these places the number of close contacts will be managed and known, so tracing can happen quickly if it’s necessary.
One of the reasons for not yet easing restrictions on businesses such as hair salons, pubs etc, is that those businesses need to have prolonged and close contact with their customers – and they will see many different people every day. If tracing was needed, it would be extremely difficult. Of course, it’s also about protecting those who work in pubs and restaurants alongside their customers.
EDUCATION
Attendances have continued to be very strong so far in the first week of reopening of schools.
Executive Head Teacher Karen Seen said the pupils and staff were adapting well to new practices introduced to reduce contact as much as possible.
Meanwhile the Education Department has received positive news about Chichester College, one of two colleges in England where the majority of Falkland Islands further education students attend,
Chichester said that they were inspected in March 2020 by the regulator, OFSTED, and rated as ‘Outstanding’ in every area. This is the highest rating issued by Ofsted.
In 2018 the residential provision of Chichester College was also inspected and similarly rated as ‘Outstanding’.
Karen Steen congratulates Chichester College on their success; the excellent pastoral and educational support for Falkland Islands students, so far from home, has always been very much appreciated.
Falkland Island students also attend Peter Symonds College in Winchester; educational provision at this college was also inspected and rated by OFSTED as ‘Outstanding’ in January of this year. Peter Symonds residential provision is also rated as Outstanding.
There is no news yet about Colleges or Universities re-opening in the UK.
Falkland College is re-opening the Library on Monday 18 May. The Library will provide information about measures they have in place to ensure safety for all users and we will have an update for you on Friday.
ECONOMIC SUPPORT
On 25 March the Government introduced a support package for private sector employers with employees, as well as the self-employed. Subsequently on 17 April, a second set of support measures were announced.
This was to support those businesses or employment was affected by the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the public safety measures introduced by Government.
The Government now anticipates a sharp drop off in demand for all program measures previously announced in light of the recent Government easing of restrictions with workers from all sectors able to return from 11 May onwards unless otherwise advised. However, the measures continue to be in effect and may continue to be applicable to your situation if you or your business was, or continues to be, adversely impacted by the Pandemic. Please phone 28400 if you have any questions.
The details of packages and how to apply is at the website www.fig.gov.fk/covid-19
LATAM UPDATE
LATAM has confirmed to FIG that the current suspension of scheduled flight services to Chile and Brazil will be extended throughout June. FIG continues to monitor and review with LATAM on a regular basis and further updates will be provided in due course.
FIG HOURS
With the easing of restrictions, Government offices have adjusted their hours.
You can see the updated FIG directory on the www.fig.gov.fk/covid-19 webpage.
OUR REGULAR UPDATES
We are adjusting our regular 5pm updates, and moving to have three a week – on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. We are always reviewing the situation and any urgent information for the public will be issued as needed outside the regular updates.
YOUR WELLBEING
Feeling worried about COVID-19 does not necessarily mean that you have a mental health problem, but if you are noticing that you are more anxious or distressed than usual, and this is interfering with your daily life there are people ready to listen to your concerns and provide support.
The Emotional Wellbeing service at KEMH is available to offer support in person or on the phone. You can access this by phoning the Community Psychiatric Nurses on 28082, the Clinical Psychologist on 54228, or the School Nurse/CAMHS Nurse on 28080.
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 are another source of support. 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.
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 case
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.
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
FIGO SERVICES
While the Falkland Islands Government Office in London remains 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 the COVID-19 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:
The symptoms are:
- a new or worsening cough
- a high temperature (at least 38°C)
- shortness of breath
- sore throat
- sneezing and runny nose
- temporary loss of taste smell.
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.