TCI News
JetBlue resumes TCI flights in August; 31 commutes from NY and Ft Lauderdale
#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – July 17, 2020 — The ‘Do Not Travel’ order is lifted by the US Department of State for Americans who want to journey abroad and on July 22, the Turks and Caicos reopens to international travel for the first time since shutting down in March due to the public health threat of the coronavirus.
Flight frequency and visitor arrivals will be significantly reduced and landings at the Providenciales International Airport (PLS) will ramp up in August, with the addition of JetBlue flights.
From New York’s JFK International Airport, JetBlue will deliver 31 flights to the PLS in August. JetBlue has scheduled eight flights from the Ft Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport; commuting on Tuesdays and Saturdays only at this stage.
Jet Blue was the first US airline to make mask wearing mandatory; instituting the measure since April.
A survey published on July 15 by the Mooresville Tribune evaluated seven airlines’ policies and practices in this post-Covid19 era.
NY based Jet Blue fell right in the middle of the stack with an overall, ‘B-‘ grade.
On travel flexibility, JetBlue earned a ‘B’ scoring the above average grade when it decided to be more liberal with date changes, which reduced the likelihood of attracting additional fees.
Although the survey results were a ‘C’ grade for JetBlue on Health and Safety, the airline on Monday confirmed its “in-flight social distancing measures will continue to be in place until September 8th.”
The report on Simple Flying explained the middle seats on JetBlue’s larger jet aircraft and aisle seats on smaller planes will remain empty until the fall.
Lighter loading of flights is recommended by US Authorities, however carriers are left to their own devices on when, how and if they will apply the advice.
JetBlue will temperature check customer-facing crew and like American Airlines, passengers are informed in advance of the flight load and given the option to travel on a less busy service if available.
Face coverings are mandatory on all flights and JetBlue informs that if a customer arrives without one, a face mask will be provided.
JetBlue’s first flight back to PLS arrives on August 1 from JFK; it is scheduled to land at 11:23 a.m.
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
YOUTH, SPORTS, AND CULTURE
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 8th October 2024 – The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture under the leadership of Hon. Rachel Marshall Taylor is pleased to announce the successful evacuation of all Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) students from the Orlando and Tampa area in anticipation of Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm. Protecting the safety and well-being of our
students remains our top priority, and swift action was taken to protect them from potential danger.
A total of six (6) students returned to the Turks and Caicos Islands today and two (2) students will return, tomorrow, Wednesday, October 9, 2024, while four (4) students will remain with family members in other states.
The Ministry remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the welfare of all Turks and Caicos Islanders, particularly our students, both home and abroad. Special thanks is extended to the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) for their support in this endeavour.
On behalf of the Premier, Hon. Charles Washington Misick, we extend our thoughts and prayers for the people of Florida and all other nations impacted by Hurricane Milton, hoping for their safety and swift recovery.
***MEDIA RELEASE***
Turks and Caicos, October 08th, 2024 – Marine Branch Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) responded early today (October 8) to a report from the Radar Station regarding a suspicious vessel near Bird Rock, Leeward Settlement, Providenciales. 
At 1:28 a.m., officers aboard the Sea Pursuit intercepted a 34-foot grey Panga fiberglass boat with a 250hp Yamaha engine, transporting THIRTY-TWO (32) illegal migrants—two females and 30 males, suspected to be of Haitian descent.
The illegal migrants were handed over to the Immigration Task Force for processing. Border Force, TCI Regiment, and TCI Customs also participated in the operation.
The RTCIPF can confirm the following statistical data for the year (October 08) thus far:
Number of Interceptions: Fifteen (15)
Number of Males: Nine Hundred and Forty-Seven (947)
Number of Females: One Hundred and Ninety-Five (195)
Total number of Illegal Migrants: One Thousand One Hundred and Forty-Two (1142) Included in the 1142 figure are TWENTY-FOUR CHILDREN.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Mat Newton said, “The number of people interdicted this year is considerably lower than last year when we detained a total of 4016 illegal migrants at sea. In the previous six months, we have seen an expansion of our radar capabilities, and the collaboration and coordination with the Border Force and the TCI Regiment, together with air and marine assets from the United States and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, has never been better. We will continue to work closely with national and international allies to deter people from making these perilous journeys and target the gangs who facilitate the illegal trade. We build our national capability every month and will do whatever it takes to interdict illegal vessels bound for the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
The RTCIPF asks the public to notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to anonymously provide any information on illegal activities.
Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information anonymously.
Turks and Caicos, October 8, 2024 – Mr Fitz Bailey was officially sworn in as Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Turks and Caicos
Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) today, October 7, in a ceremony led by H.E. Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam at Police Headquarters in Providenciales.
His appointment is set for three months to enhance the RTCIPF’s leadership capacity.
Mr Bailey brings extensive experience from his time with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), where he held senior roles in critical areas such as the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), the Intelligence Branch, and the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch. (C-TOC). His accomplishments include reorganizing the JCF’s Crime Reporting and Case Management Policy and establishing a Cold Case Unit.
Mr Bailey holds advanced degrees in Psychology, Criminal Investigation, and National Security and has a background in Accounting. Acting Commissioner Rodney Adams, Assistant Commissioner Kendall Grant, Acting Assistant Commissioner Mat Newton, and HR Consultant Joe Perry were also present at the swearing-in ceremony.
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