COVID-19 pandemic in the Falkland Islands

On 19 March 2020, around 238 people were flown off the islands on a plane bound for Córdoba, Argentina.[10]

The Falkland Islands government confirmed it had had contact with the United Kingdom concerning the pandemic.[11] It advised tourists and foreigners to leave the archipelago as it could not guarantee further flights leaving the islands, whilst cruise ships reaching the Falklands would only be allowed to dock if passengers had been on board for at least ten days and if none were suffering from symptoms of COVID-19, with travel between the islands of the Falklands heavily restricted, and social distancing measures put in place.[12]

On 23 March 2020, Argentina said it had reached out to Britain's ambassador in Buenos Aires to offer material support to the islands.[13]

On 26 March 2020, the islands' government closed all schools and nurseries until 4 May 2020.[14] Two days later, it was confirmed that a child was critically ill with suspected COVID-19 and was being treated at a hospital in Stanley.[15]

On 3 April 2020, the first case in the islands was officially confirmed.[2] All schools and nurseries were closed and all workers not deemed critical told to stay at home.[16] On 5 April 2020, a second case was confirmed.[17] On 8 April 2020, there were five cases and one recovery, all serving at the Mount Pleasant Complex. 137 people were tested until that day.[18] On 14 April 2020, there were 11 cases and one recovery.[19]

By 15 April 2020, 255 samples had been processed. Additional measures were put in place, and journeys from and to Mount Pleasant Complex needed to be approved.[20] On 17 April 2020, a set of measures was announced for individuals and business and includes among others, a job retention scheme, unemployment subsidy, non-repayable grants to businesses.[21] On 23 April 2020, it was announced that the Falkland Islands would be able to test for COVID-19 the following week when testing machines were due to arrive. 337 samples had been sent to the United Kingdom.[22]

On 27 April 2020, the prices of wool had dropped 50% compared to the previous year. The prices had already been in decline, but the remaining drop was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[23] On 29 April 2020, it was announced that price of electricity per unit for all consumers would be decreased from £23 to £18 from 1 May 2020 onwards.[24]

On 30 April 2020, it was announced that all 13 cases in the islands had recovered.[3]

On 1 May 2020, an easing of restrictions was announced: schools, businesses would be allowed to reopen on 11 May, and the travel restriction between Stanley and Mount Pleasant would remain in effect.[8] On 15 May 2020, further easing of restrictions for travel between the islands had been announced.[25]

On 6 July 2020, new quarantine regulations came into effect for the Falkland Islands. Visitors to the islands had to provide information about their journey and where they would be staying. A mandatory 14-day isolation had to be observed on arrival. Military personnel who have completed quarantine in the United Kingdom were exempted.[26]

On 10 November 2020, a new case was discovered. The case was from a civilian who was in quarantine.[4] A total of four new cases were confirmed during this second wave of the pandemic in the islands until 2 December 2020.[27] All four cases were confirmed as recovered on 9 December 2020.[28] Six new cases were also confirmed later on 15 December[29] and on 22 December 2020.[30]

On 12 January 2021, the Falkland Islands Government announced that is expected to receive 5,200 doses of the AZD1222 vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca in February 2021.[31]