MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands restricts non-essential visitors to the Islands

The restrictions seek to protect the local community and reduce demand on the Stanley hospital. Visitor permits will not be granted

The Falkland Islands Executive Council has approved measures to restrict non essential visitors to the Islands in order to help delay the spread of the Covid/19 in the archipelago.

The measure seeks to protect the local community and reduce demand on the Stanley hospital, KEMH. This means that visitor permits will not be granted, but this does not affect returning residents individuals holding Falklands status, PRP, work permit holders and resident permit holders. Nor does it affect BFSAI personnel and MOD contractors.

Only by exception may persons outside the above categories be permitted entry, this is on a case by case basis for a specific reason and only approved by the Principal Immigration Officer.

The number of cases around the world has risen sharply in recent weeks. WHO acknowledges measures that restrict the movement of people may prove temporarily useful in places with few international connections and limited medical capacity. They are advised to be short in duration and proportionate to the risk to public health.

This measure will ensure that residents and key workers can continue to come to the Islands whilst minimizing any unnecessary travel.

Separate measures are already in place around the management of arriving travelers, to ensure that they isolate from the community for an appropriate period on arrival.

Due to the recent suspension of the Latam services from Chile and Brazil, the implications of these changes currently fell mainly on the South Atlantic Airbridge, which currently is still operational.

Travelers that fall outside the categories listed above will not be permitted to travel on the service unless this is approved in writing by the Principle Immigration Officer in advance.

These restrictions apply to all travelers who require a visitor permit regardless of how they wish to travel to the Falkland Islands, whether by air or by sea.

Around the world international restrictions on visitors have been applied, and so this proposed move is both proportionate and in step with the response of other nations.

Executive Council will review these measures no later than 31 May 2020 in order to determine whether they remain appropriate.

If you have any questions please e-mail the Customs and Immigration Service at immigrationoffices@customs.gov.fk or +500 27340

Please note that the office is closed to the public at this time and questions will only be dealt with over the phone or by e-mail.