Falkland Islands Government
COVID-19: Information and Guidance

17 March 2020

New Travel Advisory

The Falkland Islands Government has announced a new air travel advisory, and outlined the terms on which it may assist cruise ships seeking to repatriate passengers.

The COVID-19 virus continues to spread rapidly around the world, and restrictions on air travel are being introduced by many countries.

The Falkland Islands Government air travel advisory is:

 All passengers arriving into the Falkland Islands by air are expected to isolate themselves for a period of 14 days if they develop symptoms after arrival which brings them within the following description of a suspect case, and to call KEMH on 28000 for advice.

A suspect case is:

A person with a fever AND one or more of the following symptoms

  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

AND no other explanation that fully explains this.

It is the very strong recommendation of the Government that in light of the growing international border restrictions, foreign nationals seeking to leave the Falkland Islands do so on today's (March 18) LATAM flight.

The Falkland Islands continues to follow the World Health Organization guidance that to close borders would be ineffective, and in fact hamper needed assistance, such as medical support.

Cruise vessels will only be permitted to call into the Falkland Islands if:

  • All those on board have been on board for a minimum of [10] days, and
  • No-one on board is suffering from symptoms consistent with them being a “suspect case” for Covid-19, according to the WHO definition.

Cruise vessels will be permitted to disembark passengers only for the purposes of allowing those passengers to return home in accordance with arrangements agreed between the Operator and the Falkland Islands Government, for example by direct charter flight.

In relation to other vessels – calls into the Falkland Islands of other vessels (such as cargo vessels and fishing vessels, and passenger vessels with no passengers on board) will be permitted, provided no-one on board is a “suspect case” as the WHO defines that term.

Disembarkation will only be allowed in very limited and specified circumstances.

The vessel and harbour staff should seek to maximise social distancing and follow public health advice.

 

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY UPDATE

Decisions around the Falkland Islands Government’s response to the global COVID-19 pandemic are under extensive discussion by the Legislative Assembly.

The Members of the Assembly, his Excellency the Governor, and senior Falkland Islands Government officials have held talks on Tuesday, March 17, ahead of policy decisions later this week by Executive Council.

The Falkland Islands does not have any confirmed cases of COVID-19, but it is expected the virus will eventually arrive in the islands.

The meeting actioned a new air travel and cruise ship advisory (SEE ABOVE).

Other areas of policy discussed have included:

  • Further preparations by the health service to handle cases.
  • Medevacs and overseas medical treatment.
  • Welfare measures to support those people who might find it challenging to cease work because of self-isolation requirements.
  • Planning for care of remote populations.
  • Falkland Island Government policy around such issues as sick leave, and annual leave.
  • Steps to work with business around issues they will face from COVID-19.

Executive Council is meeting more often to speed decision-making and will consider policy on these and other areas.  Decisions will be made public as they are finalised.