The Falkland Islands government, FIG, is stepping up its response measures to COVID- 19 after it was confirmed that the King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH) is currently treating a critically ill child. Chief Executive Barry Rowland said that although it has not been confirmed, it is suspected that the child has contracted Coronavirus. Under the new phase of the response, schools, nurseries, and play-parks will close as of Friday 27 March and will not re-open until at least the start of the new term on 4 May.
The Falkland Islands government, FIG, announced this week that in order to help ease pressure on local businesses Executive Council had approved measures to ease the recruitment process for temporary employment.
The Falkland Islands Government announced on Friday that next week it will publish details of its planning to respond to serious infectious disease outbreaks. All parts of the Government have been working since late January on the many parts of such a response, including regular pandemic planning group meetings.
BAM Nuttall Ltd, which has been selected by the Falkland Islands Government, FIG, as the development partner to design and build a new port in Stanley Harbour is no adventurer in the South Atlantic and is closely linked to the UK efforts and investments in Antarctica. In effect, BAM Nuttall is involved in the building of the British Antarctic Survey's largest facility at Rothera Research station.
The Search and Rescue operation of the Chilean Air Force’s C-130, that made full use of assets and personnel available of the Falkland Islands Government (FIG), the British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI) and the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI), continues along with the Chile’s search command, according to a joint statement released on Friday:
“As a government we continue to be careful stewards of our finances and operate a robust and credible budgeting process that is both open and transparent,” Falkland Islands Government’s Chief Executive Barry Rowland stated during a speech to Legislative Assembly.
Plans for a new Infant and Junior School are to be considered by the Falklands Executive Council. MLA Stacy Bragger has said that a recommendation to begin examining concept designs and site locations will be presented to the council in December.
Last week Penguin News reported on the uncertainty surrounding Brexit causing a slump in meat sales from the Falkland Islands Meat Company and lower prices.
The Falkland Islands Government Air Service has received funding approval from the Executive Council and the Standing Finance Committee for a new aircraft to replace Islander VP-FBM which incurred substantial structural damage while landing at Beaver Island in June.
The Falkland Islands Government Standing Finance Committee heard on Wednesday that the forecast operating surplus for the whole of the year now stands at £9.4 million. Expenditure is expected to ramp up over the remainder of the financial year, with plenty of infrastructure work being scheduled for the summer months.