The total number of tests done so far have crossed 12,000 in the Cayman Islands. Cayman now leads the region in testing.

Tuesday, 2 June 2020 press conference, where prayers were led by Pastor Gayle Woods, Cayman's leaders noted that the nine-year-old child showing symptoms proves the need for strict practising of prevention protocols.

Children are a large vector of COVID 19 dissemination, while nearly all of them generally remain asymptomatic; hence the need not to rush into letting them mingle with their peers at this stage.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. John Lee

Noting that World No Tobacco Day was on 31 May, he urged users to take the opportunity to give up using tobacco products.

Referring to an article in the Cayman Compass on diving operations, he explained how decisions are made. With all Government guidance on Public

Health matters, a variety of sources are used in order to form an opinion. It might be from scientific literature, expert opinion from major public health organisations around the world, a specialist industry or an interest group such as the Divers Alert Network.

He recognises that people using their personal scuba diving equipment, and following social distancing protocols offers little risk and he will be recommending that persons with their own scuba equipment be allowed to go diving when the next changes to the regulations are brought in (likely 22 June 2020).

- Of the 59 results received, one tested positive from community transmission.
- Of the 151 positives so far, one is symptomatic (the child mentioned earlier), 72 asymptomatic and 77 recovered.
- 59 persons are in government isolation facilities and 270 are in self isolation at their homes.

Premier, Hon. Alden McLaughlin

With a total of 12,003 tests completed, the Cayman Islands now leads the region with the number of tests done.

The test results continue to be encouraging, keeping Government on track for the reopening of the economy. If the trend continues, more segments will reopen, perhaps even sooner than originally decided. Government was optimistic given the results.

However, Cayman Islands' borders for general interaction from the outside world will remain closed until 31 August.

Also, despite the encouraging results, the child showing symptoms was a sobering fact in view of the increasing requests for schools and institutionalised child care to resume. Thus the need for a slow and cautious opening.

International mail was being brought in by contracted airline services and therefore not coming in on a regular basis. The Postal Service is working to find a solution.

The Farmers Market is at its regular location at The Hamlin Stephenson Market At The Cricket Grounds and the Fish Market has relocated to the South Terminal, both are open for business.

Delivering the 2020 Hurricane Season start message, the Premier urged all to be prepared as they should do every year. See sidebar below for Premier's hurricane message.

To ensure that Caymanians are given first preference for jobs, all employers have now got to post jobs vacancies on the WORC website. All Caymanians seeking jobs are requested to visit www.worc.ky to search for employment opportunities.

There is great optimism that the construction sector is going to help move the Islands economy in the months ahead.

With the current trend, there is also optimism that the tourism industry could see some recovery by the end of 2020.

However, if infection rates go higher in neighbouring countries than at present, it would be "something approaching madness" to open Cayman's borders freely.

His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Martyn Roper

Flights to Chennai and New Delhi in India have been confirmed. Dates and other details will be announced shortly.
With the first flight to Jamaica confirmed, it is hoped more flights will follow.

The BA flight scheduled for 12 June going out is fully booked. However, there are seats available on the flight coming in for Caymanians and Permanent Residents.

It was continuing to be encouraging to note that there were 10 positives, with nine asymptomatic, from over 850 results obtained over the last two days.

The COVID strain does look quite weakened butall should continue to maintain physical distancing, wear masks in public places and practise hygiene, notably hand washing and not touching faces.

Shout outs went to three 12-year-olds who are kitesurfing to fundraise for Acts of Random Kindness (ARK).