The Legislative Assembly passed the Freedom of Information Bill last Friday, giving the public the right of access to most government records. The law will come into effect on January 1 2009, to give government departments time to introduce systems to implement it.
A new shade house has opened at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. It is being used to house a collection of orchids, including the extremely rare and endangered Ghost Orchid.
Hurricane Dean passed 100 miles south of Grand Cayman yesterday morning, bringing heavy winds and rough seas to the island but little damage. The category 4 hurricane had at one stage been on a direct path to hit Grand Cayman. The government-imposed curfew was lifted yesterday afternoon and Minister of Tourism, Charles Clifford, has announced that Owen Roberts International Airport is fully operational.
New customs regulations announced earlier in the year have now come into effect. Effective August 10 2007 anybody bringing more than CI$15,000 into the Cayman Islands is required to make a written declaration to customs officers at the time of entry. Similar regulations apply to persons leaving the islands.
Persons making false disclosures will be liable to imprisonment of up to 6 months, a fine, and forfeiture of up to 25% of the monies transported.
Cayman Airways will suspend its service between Houston and Grand Cayman from November 9 2007. Other changes from that date include a resumption of a twice-weekly service to Chicago and the addition of a fourth weekly flight to New York. The national carrier says the moves are a result of a new focus on the most popular and lucrative routes.
The government is to set up a set up a review team that will investigate the possibility of applying term limits for foreigners working in government departments. Foreigners working for the government are currently exempt from Cayman’s 7 year limit for work permits.
The Marine Conservation Board has issued a further reminder that the importation of spear guns into the Cayman Islands is illegal. They have also declared an amnesty period up to July 30 2007, during which any illegally imported spear gun can be handed over without penalty or prosecution. Anybody found in possession of an illegally imported spear gun after the amnesty ends will be liable to a fine of $6,000 and imprisonment of up to 5 years.
Spear guns can be handed in at the Department of the Environment (telephone 949 8649).
The government has earmarked money from its budget for the next two years to finance the purchase of beachfront land in Bodden Town, East End and North Side. The land will be used to house strip malls, where local artists can display their wares. The project is part of the Go East initiative, a campaign to attract tourists to the eastern districts of Grand Cayman.
The Cayman Islands Postal Service is to release a set of stamps that depict the beauty of the islands. The stamps, entitled ‘Cayman Island Scenes’ will feature the work of some of the best Caymanian photographers.
The seven stamps feature scenes of Little Cayman, Cayman Brac, the Blow Holes, George Town harbour, Poinciana and sunsets.
They will be released on June 26.
The Legislative Assembly passed a bill last week that could lead to regulations covering the transport of money in and out of the Cayman Islands. Under the new legislation anybody transporting more than CI$15,000 would have to make a declaration to customs officers.