The Falkland Islands Government announced on Monday it is assisting a number of cruise vessels seeking to repatriate their passengers to other countries through air charter flights. Working with our partners at the British Forces South Atlantic Islands, a policy has been put in place that allows this humanitarian operation, while still protecting our population from COVID-19.
The Falkland Islands Government on Friday moved to the next stage of its response to the global COVID-19 situation. While there are still no confirmed cases on the Islands, the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Rebecca Edwards, says it is now likely COVID-19 is present here.
Authorities of Cape Verde have closed all sea borders and have restricted flights from the UK, US, Canada and a number of other European countries from 18 March. As of 18 March, only a restricted number of flights are allowed into the country to enable visitors to return home. This follows confirmation of a Covid 19 case in the former Portuguese colony.
In a display of support from London, the UK Government announced it is working closely with the Overseas Territories to ensure they receive the help that is necessary to face the challenge and consequences of Covid-19.
Rockhopper Exploration, a partner in Premier Oil-operated Sea Lion offshore oil project in the Falkland Islands, is confident it will manage to farm-out a share in the project despite the low oil prices and COVID-10 uncertainty. The two companies in January signed non-binding heads of terms with US/Israel Navitas Petroleum, which should lead to Navitas obtaining a 30% interest in the Sea Lion offshore blocks.
The Falklands weekly Penguin News this week published a summary of releases, decisions, recommendations and overall strategy of the Islands facing, as in the rest of the world the challenge of Covid 19. The big news is that the Falklands until this week, had no positive tested cases of the virus and that so far there is sufficient health care capacity and expertise to face the situation.
The Anglo Theatre Touring Company arrived in the Falkland Islands ready to entertain children and adults alike, but sadly new travel restrictions in Chile meant they had to leave the Islands earlier than planned.
The Falkland Islands Government has announced a new air travel advisory and outlined the terms on which it may assist cruise ships seeking to repatriate passengers. Likewise, it strongly recommends foreign nationals seeking to leave the Falklands to do so on Wednesday, March 18, LATAM flight.
Scientists have found evidence of ancient slope failures on the seafloor to the south of the Falkland Islands on the South Atlantic. Computer models suggest these underwater landslides would have been capable of sending waves crashing on to the Falklands' coastline that was tens of meters high.
Falklands patrol HMS Forth hosted a wreath-laying ceremony in Falkland Islands waters during a remembrance service honouring those who lost their lives aboard SMS Scharnhorst in 1914.