Falkland Islands Government
COVID-19: Information and Guidance

07 July 2021

COVID-19 Public Update

Welcome to July’s monthly Covid-19 update.

 

KEMH TESTING

  • Total number of swab tests taken and processed to date: 7365
  • Total number of swabs taken but not yet tested: 0
  • Total number of positive test results since 3 April 2020: 63
  • Number of current positive test results within the Islands: 0

 

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

A full list of northbound and southbound travel requirements, can be found on the Falkland Islands Government’s Covid-19 website, please visit: www.fig.gov.fk/covid-19

This includes details of the UK government’s traffic light system – the Falkland Islands are currently on the ‘green list’ – pre-travel checklists, advice on transiting, and details of the penalties that northbound passengers may incur if they do not comply with requirements.

To clarify a few further points on southbound travel:

  • No one should be asked for proof of vaccination as this is not a standard check-in procedure, nor is it UK government policy
  • Your proof of a negative Covid-19 test result must be in a name that is similar to the name displayed in your passport
  • If your passport is in your maiden name, please ensure your test is also in your maiden name, as otherwise you will need to carry your marriage certificate with you
  • The negative test has to be a PCR test lateral flow tests are not accepted

 

QUARANTINE

Information on the Falkland Islands Government’s current quarantine measures can be found online by visiting: www.fig.gov.fk/covid-19  

Currently, air passengers arriving in the Falkland Islands are offered a ‘test to release’ option. This is not mandatory and requires individuals to be swabbed for Covid-19 on day 2 and day 8 after arrival. If both tests are negative you may leave quarantine. If anyone from your flight tests positive at the first test point or if anyone with whom you are in quarantine tests positive at the second test point you must remain in quarantine for 14 days. If you choose not to participate in the “test to release” option you must stay in quarantine for 14 days after arriving in the Falkland Islands.

 

MEDEVAC SERVICES

KEMH would like to remind the public that, due to the situation in mainland South America, it remains increasingly difficult to arrange for people to receive care and treatment outside of the Islands. This is due to a lack of hospital beds, particularly in Chile, because these are in use by Covid-19 patients.

People are reminded to take extra care if they undertake any activities which might put them at risk of significant injury and requiring medevac services. Anything that the public can do to help reduce demand for treatment overseas really helps KEMH and partners that it works with in other countries.

This situation does not impact on planned medical treatment for people travelling to the UK, although KEMH continues to work closely with the NHS, in the event that a resurgence of Covid-19 in the UK may impact on these plans.

The next monthly Covid-19 update for the Falkland Islands will be on 4 August 2021.