Falkland Islands Government
COVID-19: Information and Guidance

If you require any announcement in another language then please contact communcations.officer@sec.gov.fk

01 June 2022

COVID-19 Update

KEMH TESTING

The KEMH can confirm that since March 2020, there have been a total of 1717 positive COVID-19 cases within the Falkland Islands.

  • 1542 cases have been identified from community spread (please note these are numbers that have been reported to KEMH)
  • 16 of the identified community cases (above), are assessed to be active* cases. (*Active is defined as a case that has been reported within the last 5 days, and is likely to be infectious)
  • 175 were from cases detected in quarantine

The KEMH can also confirm that no one is seriously unwell or in hospital as a result.

Please note: These numbers are accurate at the time of publishing this public service announcement.

The KEMH would like to remind people not to come to the hospital if you are feeling unwell and have any of the following symptoms:

  • a new continuous cough
  • a high temperature
  • a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
  • a sore throat
  • diarrhoea, vomiting or muscle aches and pains

REPORTING CASES

The KEMH would like to remind the public that if you test positive for COVID-19 you should inform the KEMH by calling 28000 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have recovered from COVID-19 but have not reported your case please inform the KEMH on the same details.

Reporting COVID-19 cases helps the KEMH to track how far the disease is spreading and also alerts them to who is feeling unwell and might require more help.

PRE-BOOKED DRIVE-THROUGH PCR COVID-19 TESTING SERVICE

The pre-booked drive-through PCR testing service is still available from 9 Thatcher Drive. If you are symptomatic and do not have access to an LFD, do not come to the hospital to collect one. Instead please call 28000 and you may be advised to attend the drive-through centre directly at a specified appointment time.

If your LFD self-test returns a positive result, please call 28000, your details will be taken and a member of the swabbing team will get back to you with instructions to attend for a confirmatory PCR test at the drive-through centre. At this stage we will aim to confirm all self-tested LFDs by PCR (the gold standard test) where possible.

Any students sitting examinations requiring a certified positive result will be asked to visit 9 Thatcher Drive, appointments can be booked by calling 28000.

 The service:

  • Clinic opening hours are: Monday to Friday 7am – 3pm and Saturday 9am – 12pm (lunchtime) the clinic will be closed from 12pm - 1pm each day
  • You will be provided with an allotted appointment time, you are not allowed to attend the drive-through without an appointment
  • This will be a drive by service. The swab will be a PCR test (subject to change as the pandemic progresses)
  • Children aged 6 and over can be swabbed
  • The results will be issued by the Laboratory with an initial aim of 24 hours for symptomatic testing
  • The COVID team will contact you with your result

What will happen on arrival to the drive-through:

  • You will be asked before arrival to please wear a mask while in your vehicle
  • Do not leave your vehicle, you will need to park outside of 9 Thatcher Drive at your allotted appointment time
  • A clinician in appropriate PPE will approach your vehicle, please ensure you have your window open
  • You will be asked to confirm your details, including your name and contact number
  • The swab will be taken from you and then sent to the lab for your results

This service is only available on an appointment only basis. You must call the KEMH in advance (and have a booking confirmed) if you wish to have a drive-through test completed.

COVID-19 TRAVEL TESTS

The MOD South Atlantic Airbridge has resumed its refuelling stop at Cape Verde. We have been advised by the authorities in Cape Verde that unvaccinated or partially vaccinated passengers aged 11 and above; flying in either direction, will require proof of a negative COVID-19 test, which can be by means of either LFD or PCR – but must be certified (i.e. not a self-test).

Fully vaccinated passengers will no longer require a COVID-19 travel test when travelling in either direction.

Fully vaccinated is defined as having received two primary doses of any WHO approved vaccine (such as AstraZeneca, Moderna, Novavax, Pfizer Sinppharm, Sinovac etc) or a single dose of the Johnson&Johnson (Janssen) vaccine, at least 14 days before travel. A booster is not required for the authorities in Cape Verde.

If you have not already done so, please request a proof of vaccination letter from the KEMH by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 28000 at least 10 days before your intended date of travel. This may be required at check-in.

The KEMH continues to offer the test to travel service.

Unvaccinated individuals need to call 28008 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at least 10 days before their travel date and book an appointment to be swabbed. We recognise that due to short-notice that this will not be possible for upcoming flights this week and next. You will be allocated a time slot and location at KEMH to attend for your swab when your booking is confirmed.

Charges for the test and report are:

  • £15 for an LFD test
  • £65 for PCR test

For tests that are booked at very short-notice (e.g. less than 48hrs) the KEMH reserves the right to charge a discretionary £30 surcharge.

Individuals must pay at KEMH reception before going to their swab appointment, swabbing will only be carried out if a receipt is shown. Any flight delays that cause the 72-hour time window to be exceeded will not result in free repeat testing. Passengers will be required to pay for second test.

Please note that whilst the Cape Verde authorities accept a validated LFD report it is your responsibility to check the entry requirements of any third country for onwards travel from the UK. Please note that self-testing by LFD will not be accepted for travel on the South Atlantic Airbridge.

VACCINATIONS

The KEMH would like to remind the public of the ‘by appointment only’ COVID-19 vaccination clinics in the KEMH. Starting at 10.30am, the clinics will be on:

  • Saturday 4 June
  • Saturday 11 June

These clinics are for anyone aged over 16 who has not yet received either one of their first two primary doses or subsequent first booster dose and for anyone aged over 60 who has not yet received their second booster dose.

Your second primary dose must be no less than 28 days after your first dose; for a first booster dose you need to have had your last vaccination at least three months ago while it is recommended to wait 5 - 6 months between first and second boosters. If you have recently recovered from COVID-19 you must wait at least four weeks before having your vaccine.

This clinic is by appointment only; if you would like to attend then please call 28000. If this is your first dose then please let the receptionist know.

Before attending any of these clinics, please undertake a Lateral Flow Device (LFD) test. Please do not attend if you test positive for COVID-19 or have flu like symptoms.

LATEST INFORMATION AVAILABLE ONLINE

People will be familiar, by now, with the government’s dedicated COVID-19 website. This is the first place that we ask people to visit in the event of any queries, as we endeavour to ensure that this is as up to date as possible.

This includes information on international and domestic travel, vaccinations, public health guidance, where to get help and support and business support; please visit https://www.falklands.gov.fk/covid-19/

The next monthly COVID-19 update for the Falkland Islands will be on 6 July 2022.