The Registrar of Companies will continue its operations with minimal disruptions in the face of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Registrar has already notified its CORIS (Cayman Online Registry Information System) and CAP (Corporate Administration Platform) business portal users of slight tweaks in accessing the systems. Essentially, access will only be affected if there is a change in the user's internet connection. Users who are using VPN connections to their offices will have full access to CAP and CORIS. In addition, CORIS will be accessible within the Islands via a DSL connection.

If access is needed from other local locations, users will need to provide the external static IP address of those locations to corishelpdesk@gov.ky. For security reasons, the static IP address is needed in particular for CAP, since that system contains more sensitive information.

The Registrar operates within Government's General Registry department and the other functions carried on by the department will shift to internet-based processes at this time.

For example, the way in which birth, marriage and death certificates are issued will be completely online. As of 16 March, requests for those certificates will no longer be accepted at the Registry counter in the Government Administration Building as the counter will be closed until further notice. Registry staff will be working on a shift basis and, where applicable, remotely to minimise the risk of exposure to the coronavirus.

Persons wishing to order certificates will need to log on to www.ciregistry.gov.ky, and click the 'Online Tools' tab near the top of the home page to make digital requests. Payment for these services will need to be done online.

Birth registrations will be done based on birth notifications received from the hospitals involved. However, original hard copies will not be issued at this time. In the event that a certificate is needed for travel, the Government Passport Office will be provided with a digital copy.

CORIS and CAP users should be aware that the local electronic funds transfers facility is now in effect and more information can be found on Registry's website, www.ciregistry.gov.ky.

For more information on Government's response to the coronavirus, please visit www.gov.ky/coronavirus and hsa.ky/public-health/coronavirus.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.