COVID-19 Public Update
KEMH TESTING
2,256 tests have now been processed, with no positive results received for over 100 days.
FINAL REMINDER: SURVEY ON RESPONSE TO COVID-19
The Falkland Islands Government would like to remind the public to complete the ongoing survey to gather views from across the community to explore how Covid-19 and the response to a potential epidemic has affected people’s day to day lives.
The survey aims to capture statistical data, however, if you have any comments you wish to include please email them to
All these results will be used to help us:
- Understand where the biggest Covid-19 impacts have been and who has felt them
- Tackle any problems you have felt as a result of Government actions
- Improve what we do if the risk of Covid-19 increases in the Falkland Islands
The survey questions will be available until Friday 7 August:
- Online or to download on www.fig.gov.fk/covid-19/survey
- In hardcopy from the Post Office, KEMH, West Store, Chandlery, Leisure Centre and Community Library
Please don’t forget if you have downloaded or collected a hardcopy of the survey, to return it back to any of the boxes in the locations above
If you would like a copy of the survey in Spanish, Filipino or Shona, please contact us.
QUARANTINE AND VISITOR POLICY - IMPLICATIONS FOR TOURISM
On Tuesday 4 August Executive Council (Contingency) considered a paper relating to the current Quarantine and Visitor Policy and its implications for tourism.
There are a number of factors which need to be considered. Scenarios developed by the UN World Tourism Organisation predict a decline in tourist arrivals globally during the 2020 season of up to 80%. Globally, the coronavirus pandemic is worsening. Borders, particularly in South America, remain closed and international connectivity worldwide is greatly reduced. With this in mind, FIG continues to work with the industry locally and internationally, and with FITB and the FITA to consider implications for the tourism sector and to develop mitigation measures to support those affected through the coming season, and better position the sector for the future.
One of the issues raised by industry is a desire for clarity, particularly over quarantine and visitor restrictions, in order to allow tour operators and the hospitality industry to plan accordingly. In consideration of this, and with the global pandemic still not under control, Executive Council approved the following recommendations:
- That restrictions on the issuing of visitor permits will likely remain in place until at least 31 December 2020, but the restrictions will still be subject to monthly review.
- That the current requirement to quarantine will likely remain in force until at least 31 December 2020, however this will continue to be reviewed every 42 days in line with the requirements of the Infectious Diseases Control (Coronavirus, Quarantine) Regulations 2020.
Executive Council will consider in October whether either or both of these restrictions should continue past 31 December 2020.
Recognising the impact of these measures and of the global reduction in connectivity and tourism, key areas of work under development include direct industry support measures, incentives to encourage domestic tourism through the coming season and investment in infrastructure to improve the visitor experience in the future.
MLA Mark Pollard said:
“The tourism industry worldwide is being severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, and many of the related issues are out of our control. The global outlook for the coming season is very gloomy – unless something dramatically changes soon, which is not likely, it is highly likely that the next tourist season in the Falkland Islands will not be able to rely on international visitors. There are impacts that FIG can try to manage, and a huge amount of work is going into development of support schemes, loans and grants to help the industry, and looking at ways we can encourage domestic tourism this season. This is an area where we can all help each other, and I hope that the community will take the opportunity to enjoy local holidays this summer. I know those who rely on tourism are very concerned; specific details on support packages will be developed for consideration by ExCo over the next two weeks, and more specific information on the measures we are developing will be coming very soon.”
LATAM UPDATE
LATAM have confirmed that the Punta Arenas-Santiago route will remain suspended until at least 7 November 2020, and the situation will be reviewed near that date.
As announced on 23 July 2020, the Sao Paolo route suspension is suspended until at least the end of September 2020, and the situation will be reviewed nearer the end of that period.
Commercial flights are critical to the future of the Falkland Islands economy and the quality of life.
FIG continues to monitor and review the situation with LATAM on a regular basis and further updates will be provided in due course.
EXTENSION OF COVID-RELATED ECONOMIC SUPPORT SCHEMES
On Wednesday 29 July 2020 ExCo approved the extension of the employment/self-employment, job retention, unemployment subsidy and direct grant schemes which were introduced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and are currently being successfully administered by the Treasury and FIDC. These schemes were due to end on 31 July, have now been extended until 30 September. A further review of the duration of the schemes will take place no later than 23 September.
The schemes have been extended to support economic sectors which will continue to feel the impacts of the pandemic. In addition the extension will support continuing demand for the schemes where KEMH instructs symptomatic individuals and their households to isolate.
FIG will continue to support these claims for isolating individuals, subject to the following:
- The individual meeting all of the relevant Scheme guidelines.
- A check with KEMH to confirm the individual was told to isolate and the period of isolation.
The previously agreed reductions in electricity charges and the three month waiver of service charges will end, as previously publicised, after 31 July 2020.
Consideration continues to be given to a range of specific measures to target sectors likely to suffer longer term impacts, including the tourism sector.
NEXT UPDATE
Due to MLAs being on recess and other personal commitments during August, there will be no COVID-19 updates during this time. We will of course update the public if there is important COVID-19 information.
Our next update will be scheduled for Wednesday 2 September 2020. Our web page, www.fig.gov.fk/covid-19 is also a plentiful source of guidance and information. However, if you have a question or concern during this time then please contact the Communications Office on 27400 or