Protocols for Returning Residents During Re-Opening of Turks and Caicos Islands Borders

Residents Must Complete TCI Assured Travel Authorization to be Granted Entry

#GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands (July 14, 2020) – The Government of the Turks & Caicos Islands is preparing for the re-opening of the Turks and Caicos Islands, which will begin on July 22nd and allow for the resumption of international commercial flights to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Recently announced regulations state that residents who wish to return to the Turks and Caicos Islands beginning July 22nd will be required to obtain travel authorization by applying through the TCI Assured portal on the Tourist Board’s website – www.turksandcaicostourism.com.

All returning residents will be required to submit a negative COVID-19 PCR test result from an accredited laboratory to the portal to receive the travel authorization certificate. The test must have been taken no more than five days prior to travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands. An original copy of the test result must also be presented upon arrival. Select individuals are exempt from the testing requirement which includes children under the age of ten.

Every resident who is not a beneficiary under the National Health Insurance Plan (NHIP) will be required to also provide evidence of a health insurance policy that includes insurance coverage for COVID-19 medical costs; and full hospitalization, doctors’ visits, prescriptions and air ambulance.

Additionally, each applicant must complete a health screening questionnaire, travel authorization form and certify that they have read the privacy policy document. Upon arrival at the port of entry, residents will be subject to screening and temperature checks which may result in further clinical examination.

Persons suspected of having been exposed to, or having symptoms of, or tested positive for COVID-19, shall be placed under quarantine in a specified place for a period of fourteen days or such longer period until that person is found to have a negative PCR COVID-19 result or unless approved for medical repatriation, and shall be monitored by a health officer for COVID-19 during such period.

Where a parent or responsible adult having charge of a child under the age of ten years is required to be placed under quarantine, the child shall also be required to be placed under quarantine together with the parent or responsible adult.

A resident who is made subject to quarantine or hospitalization shall bear the costs of all treatment received and the costs for accommodation and board. Once on island, returning residents are encouraged to continue practicing social distancing measures, regularly wash hands or use hand sanitizers, and wearing masks or face coverings in public.

Failure to comply with the stated requirements to produce a TCI Assured Travel Authorization will result in a fine.

It is recommended that all residents interested in returning to the Turks and Caicos Islands review the Public and Environmental Health (COVID-19) (Arriving Passengers Health Clearance) Regulations 2020 by visiting https://www.gov.tc/moh/coronavirus/regulations.

The TCI Assured Travel Authorization Portal will be accessible by visiting https://travelauthorisation.turksandcaicostourism.com.

All COVID-19 inquiries should be directed to the Ministry of Health. For questions or concerns, please visit the Ministry of Health website, www.gov.tc/moh/coronavirus; email: COVID19@gov.tc; or call the hotline numbers, (649) 232-9444 and (649) 333-0911.