The Falkland Islands government had made donations to Uruguayan and Chilean Covid-19 charitable organizations that support Covid victims in the two countries. The decision was agreed this week by the Standing Financial Committee and involved 5,000 pounds to each of the organizations in the two South American neighbors.
On July 13 ExCo approved measures to facilitate a repatriation flight for approximately 50 individuals present in the Falklands who had planned to return home via scheduled flights, but due to the suspension of the LATAM services to South America had been unable to do so.
British contractor BAM Nuttall is set to start work at the end of this month on a new port for the Falklands Islands. The existing facilities will be replaced. BAM Nuttall was chosen by the Falkland Islands Government (FIG) in February to carry out the design and build contract for the new port. The contract was signed in early April but was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Falkland Islands Standing Finance Committee has revealed that the government has funded Covid-19 support measures to the tune of £7.983 million. The spending has been offset by underspends from a number of government departments, including Education and Natural Resources, while the Islands Plan budget is expected to underspend by nearly half a million pounds.
The Falkland Islands currently have an only air link which is the air bridge with the United Kingdom twice a week, since the commercial flights from Chile and Brazil managed by Latam, have been suspended at least until the end of July.
The Falkland Islands Government, FIG, has updated its advice and guidance around funeral arrangements in light of the recent easing of restrictions.
The Falkland Islands Government this week unveiled plans for a “prudent” budget that maintains the current levels of expenditure but does not propose any increase in fees and charges. The budget aims to keep the current levels of service delivery but shies away from major investments or increases in operating costs.
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 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.
The Falkland Islands government announced on Wednesday a support program for wool producers and their unsold clip in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. For that purpose, it has authorized the Department of Natural Resources to develop a program to purchase the unsold wool, in a one-time offer, with the price set at March 20.