Falkland Islands schools in Stanley are making final preparations for reopening on Monday, May 11. Camp Education, an integral part of the schooling system also re-opens on the same day.
The Falkland Islands' Nigel Phillips, CBE, this week praised the response of the Public Service to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 and associated restrictions. Speaking at the daily Covid-19 update on Wednesday, Mr. Phillips said, “lockdown, as it has become known, can be difficult and the government has introduced a range of measures that are targeted to support individuals and businesses in these unprecedented times.
The Falkland Islands Government on Friday announced it will be easing some restrictions in its response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The steps, approved by Executive Council, will over coming days include reopening schools and nurseries, permitting greater social mixing, and allowing non-essential work and activities with some exceptions.
Falkland Islands lawmaker MLA Barry Elsby called for efforts to focus on keeping the country as Covid-19 free as possible. Speaking to Penguin News on Wednesday, MLA Elsby said that the Falklands’ isolation presents an opportunity to remain relatively Covid-19 free, adding that “as much should be done as possible” to maintain that state of affairs.
The Falkland Islands are preparing for the commemoration of significant anniversaries of events from the 1982 conflict when Argentine forces invaded the country. The first of these will take place at 2pm on Sunday 3 May, when a short memorial service will be held at Goose Green to mark the death of Lieutenant Nick Taylor.
A statement on the status of the current restrictions, and updates, will be made on Friday by the Chief Executive, Barry Rowland. This is part of the permanent information that FIG provides to the community on the coronavirus challenge.
The Falkland Islands government announced on Monday that a decrease in electricity prices will come into effect on from this Friday 1 May 2020. The move is part of the government’s comprehensive suite of measures to assist businesses, private sector employees and households during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The number of COVID-19 tested positive cases at Mount Pleasant Complex in the Falkland Islands has risen by one to thirteen, following on the latest 16 swab test results received by KEMH from the UK.
The Falkland Islands Executive Council considered this week two reports regarding further legislative proposals responding to the challenges posed by COVID-19. ExCo addressed the provisions put in place in the UK, including the Coronavirus Act 2020, and other laws.
The Falkland Islands Executive Council last Friday agreed in principle that construction activity on the Islands can resume this Wednesday, 22 April. However, Chief Executive Barry Rowland said the final decision would be subject to COVID-19 test swab results from the United Kingdom expected to be received this Tuesday 21 April.