Falkland Islands Government
COVID-19: Information and Guidance

04 November 2021

COVID-19 Public Update

Welcome to November’s monthly Covid-19 update.

 

KEMH TESTING

  • Total number of swab tests taken and processed to date: 7747
  • Total number of swabs taken but not yet tested: 0
  • Total number of positive test results since 3 April 2020: 72
  • Number of current positive test results within the Islands: 4

QUARANTINE

 

The Falkland Islands new Infectious Diseases Control (Coronavirus, Quarantine) Regulations 2021, came into force in August and will remain in place until 8 August 2022 (unless revoked sooner) and will be reviewed every two months, in order to ensure that they are still needed and remain fit for purpose. Please ensure that you are aware of the legal requirements should you be required to undertake quarantine in the Falkland Islands. You can find this information online by visiting: https://www.fig.gov.fk/covid-19/quarantine

 

VACCINATION UPDATE

 

The next stage of the Covid-19 vaccination programme is now underway. Under this latest roll out, a third primary dose, this time of the Moderna vaccine, is being offered to people most at risk, such as those who have had organ transplants or who are on certain types of high dose immunosuppressant drugs. These people will be contacted by KEMH if they are eligible for this phase of the programme.

A booster, which is a half dose of the Moderna vaccine, is being offered to the following:

  • All people aged 50+ who received a second dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine before the end of April
  • People who were identified in the first vaccination round as being in at-risk occupations who received a second dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine before the end of April

As before, it would be appreciated if East Falklands Camp residents, or any West Falkland or Outer Island residents who may be in town, make their way into Stanley for their vaccinations. Community Support Team clients have been sent a letter confirming the details of their vaccinations which will take place during home visits. A travelling vaccination programme will deliver the booster or third primary dose to those eligible on the West and Outer Islands and this is likely to take place in the week commencing 15 November. 

KEMH is also pleased to confirm that the Moderna vaccine will also be rolled out to children aged 12-17. Parental consent will be required for those aged 12-15 to receive a single dose in December at FICS. Those aged 16-17 can give their own consent for a course of two doses in early November and mid-December.

Please keep an eye on the usual Falkland Islands Government communications channels and in local media for information on the dates and times for this next phase of the rollout.

SHIPPING GUIDANCE

 

The Falkland Islands Government has recently produced a series of shipping guidance documents for fishing and expedition vessels wishing to enter Falkland Islands waters. Each set of guidance is designed to support vessel operators and ensure that they have essential policies and procedures in place to protect against Covid-19, as well as to provide clarity on the laws and restrictions that we currently have in place due to the pandemic. More information is available online, please visit: https://www.fig.gov.fk/covid-19/travel/shipping

TRIP2 AND BFSAI TRIP2 SCHEMES

Following the success of the initial Tourism Recovery Incentive Programme, a second phase of the programme is now underway. TRIP2 is open to everyone ordinarily resident in the Falkland Islands and launched on 1 October 2021; it will end on 30 April 2022. The BFSAI TRIP2 scheme will also be in place for the same duration.

For more information on TRIP2, please visit https://www.fig.gov.fk/covid-19/tourismscheme/trip-scheme

For more information on BFSAI TRIP2, please visit: https://www.fig.gov.fk/covid-19/tourismscheme/bfsai-trip-scheme

COVID-19 WEBSITE

We continue to see a number of enquiries posted on Facebook relating to Covid-19 advice and guidance in the Falkland Islands, such as questions about travel, testing and quarantine. This information is always available on our dedicated Covid-19 website, which is updated on a regular basis and features the latest advice, guidance and regulations, as well as an archive dating back to March 2020. To date over 38,000 visitors have accessed the website and it is still the best resource for Covid-19 support; please visit https://www.fig.gov.fk/covid-19/

 

The next monthly Covid-19 update for the Falkland Islands will be on 1 December 2021.