TCI News
New recovery standard for TCI; 14-days symptom free for release of COVID-19 patients
#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – August 27, 2020 — Turks and Caicos is added to the growing list of places which are abandoning the standard that COVID-19 patient recovery is measured by two negative RT-PCR tests. Edwin Astwood, the Minister of Health on Wednesday said Cabinet has agreed to give clearance to previously positive patients after 10-days of having experienced no fever or symptoms of the coronavirus.
“The Ministry of Health has updated its standard operating procedures for recoveries and people being relieved from quarantine which is based on technical guidance received from PAHO, Public Health England, CDC, WHO and CARPHA. These new protocols for recoveries and persons being released from quarantine are now being instituted by the Ministry of Health Agriculture Sports and Human Services (and) will come into effect immediately.”
The announcement, backed up by “new and emerging science” was met with skepticism and labelled risky by some tuned into the national press conference broadcast live from the Office of the Premier in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.
Still the world’s leading health regulators including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are promoting the research as a recommendation.
The WHO updated its recovery recommendation since May 27, 2020. An excerpt from its website says this:
Criteria for discharging patients from isolation (i.e., discontinuing transmission-based precautions) without requiring retesting[1]:
- For symptomatic patients: 10 days after symptom onset, plus at least 3 additional days without symptoms (including without fever [2] and without respiratory symptoms)[3]
- For asymptomatic cases[4]: 10 days after positive test for SARS-CoV-2
The WHO says there is some risk associated with this “isolation discharge criteria” and adds, “There is a minimal residual risk that transmission could occur with these non–test-based criteria.”
Among the reasons for the change is to bring relief to medical centers which need the bed space; to cut-down workload on testing centers which are overwhelmed by new and repeated testing demands; to support healthy patients with a more expeditious return to life in the ‘new normal’ and to embrace the science which says COVID-19’s dead particles are responsible for positive diagnoses long past the time a patient is infectious.
The WHO, in that June 17 brief, encourages countries that can, to continue laboratory testing. The Turks and Caicos has opted to go a new and different route which should dramatically increase the figures on recoveries.
“If a person who had recovered from COVID-19 is retested within three months of the initial infection they may continue to have a positive test result, even though they may be spreading COVID-19,” said Minister Astwood, who shared about individuals held in long isolations: “…they have been in quarantine for some 25 days, some 35 days, some 45 days and they feel well, they feel healthy and they are wondering why they have to stay this long in quarantine and the results now, the science now backs up that we can now release those persons from quarantine much earlier; 10-days and 14-days depending on symptoms and if the person is asymptomatic.”
While some may say we can trust the science, there is grave concern about whether we can trust the patient. The Ministry of Health will admittedly be relying upon patients to be honest about their state of health.
“We have to rely on persons to be honest and truthful but still they will be under the quarantine order to remain at home and if they have fever and symptoms we want them to report that, the Minister of Health continued with, “We have seen that persons have not been giving full and complete information but we have more good people out there than bad so, we know that we will get from our people here in Turks and Caicos Islands, at least 95 to 95 percent compliance with this because we have a lot of people who want to do the right thing.”
Minister Astwood’s enthusiasm is not shared by many residents. By admission, some positive patients were not forthcoming during the contact tracing phase. By widespread observation, individuals have shown a reckless tendency to shirk responsibility of self-quarantine regulations in order to get out and about.
Thousands of tests have been used up in the previous method of retesting before clearance is given. Scores of people have been waiting weeks for medical clearance to return to work because Health personnel have been unable to deliver timely follow-ups.
The Minister was optimistic that reducing this painstaking process of sequential negatives for the coronavirus will allow his team to move on to community testing, which had been waylaid by a surge in coronavirus cases.
In the past two days, 81 new cases of the coronavirus were recorded for the Turks and Caicos Islands; bringing the country’s total number of infections to 464.
The new measures will be made available online.
Turks and Caicos, October 28, 2025 – We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and our thoughts and prayers are with our regional neighbours for their safety and well-being
We are now entering a critical period as Hurricane Melissa advances towards the Turks and Caicos Islands. Current projections indicate that Hurricane Melissa will begin to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands around midday tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th October.
This morning, Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier chaired a State of Preparedness Meeting. All Government agencies and critical services are mobilised. The safety and protection of every person across our Islands remains our highest priority. Our emergency response teams are prepared and the TCI Regiment is deployed across each of our Islands to support community readiness and immediate response. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are on active duty, with additional officers in North Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk.
At this time, the hurricane is moving north-northeast. The country is expected to experience tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall and
significant storm surge. The storm surge poses a serious concern for low-lying coastal areas especially along our western and southern coastlines, which may result in coastal flooding. Based on the most current weather projections and anticipated impacts for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the National Executive have agreed the following actions:
1. Evacuation Advisories
Residents in specific low-lying and flood-prone coastal areas are likely to experience significant storm surge of 2-4 feet with accompanying rainfall. Strong advice is now place for residents in these areas to relocate to designated shelters which will be open from 4pm this afternoon. These areas include:
Middle Caicos
- Conch Bar Nearest Shelter: The Community Centre
North Caicos
- Sandy Point Nearest Shelter : Sandy Point Community Centre
- Whitby Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
- Bottle Creek Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
Providenciales
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- Chalk Sound Nearest Shelter Enid Capron Primary School
- Five Cays Nearest Shelter: Enid Capron Primary School
- Discovery Bay Nearest Shelter: All Saints Church, Leeward Highway
- Juba Sound Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
- Long Bay Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
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South Caicos
- Cockburn Harbour Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
- Old Airport Road Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
Should an evacuation order become necessary, it will be issued following the 6:00 PM Advisory this evening from the TCI National Weather Service.
2. Activation of Emergency Operations Centre
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Providenciales and all Islands Emergency Operations Centres will be activated at 4:00 PM today.
3. Shelters Access
Shelters across all Islands will open today at 4:00 PM to receive members of the public.
4. Shelter-in-Place
A Strong Shelter-in-Place Advisory is in place for all islands, commencing at 10:00 PM tonight. This will be in place until the all clear has been issued.
This means that from 10:00 PM tonight, all residents should be off the road, in a safe location, either at home or a designated shelter.
Please note that this position may be revised following the 6:00 PM Advisory from the TCI National Weather Service, depending on updated storm projections.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has confirmed that all airports remain fully operational for today. They will advise the public about ongoing operations dependent on the weather impacts.
In times such as this, the role of commercial entities extends beyond business – it becomes a vital part of the community’s resilience. All retailers and service providers are urged to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities by maintaining fair pricing and ensuring essential goods and services remain accessible to all.
Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere strictly to all official advisories and evacuation orders as they are issued. Avoid unnecessary movement, secure your property, and ensure that you and your family are prepared with essential supplies. Stay prepared and stay safe.
Turks and Caicos, October 24, 2025 – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey delivered an impassioned address to male students at Clement Howell High School, calling on them to recognize their power, seize their potential, and “awaken the sleeping giants” within.
In a message that blended humility, faith, and personal experience, the Commissioner reminded the boys that the decisions they make today will shape their future.“The choices you make today determine who you become tomorrow,” he said.
Bailey, who revealed he was the first in his family to attend high school, urged the students to embrace education and discipline as tools of
transformation.“Knowledge is power. If you want to be a real man, you need to read,” he told them. “Remember your potential — if others can do it, so can you. Some of you are sleeping giants waiting to be awakened.”
He emphasized that circumstances of birth do not dictate destiny, challenging the young men to carry self-respect, faith, and moral conviction wherever they go. “Self-respect is key; respect yourself, respect others, and respect God,” he said. “The circumstances you were born into do not define who you are.”
The Commissioner also spoke about resilience, advising that true strength often lies in restraint.
“There will be challenges, and people may try to impede your development — but rise above negativity. Sometimes, strength means walking away,” he said. “Some of you are sleeping lions; it’s time to awaken that instinct and rediscover your true potential.”
In closing, Commissioner Bailey delivered a stirring challenge:
“Each morning, look in the mirror and remind yourself that you were created by God and are capable of great exploits. You are a possibility with potential. Step forward with confidence — this is your country, your islands. Be the best version of yourself.”
Following his speech, the Commissioner engaged the students in open dialogue, answering questions and listening to their perspectives on issues affecting young men in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
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