#TurksandCaicosIslands – December 23, 2020 – Turks and Caicos is hoping the batch of free vaccines which will arrive in the territory early in the New Year will run out so quickly that the TCI would be in line for more, enough even doses to inoculate the entire population.
A first batch of Covid-19
vaccines for Turks and Caicos can immunize ten percent of residents and strong
support for the voluntary shot could lead to enough vaccines for everyone.
“If we can’t demonstrate
there is demand for the vaccine on the island or if we fail to use those
vaccines to deliver the best possible effect it will be hard for myself, the
premier and others assembled around me today to make the case that more should
be set to us. If we get this
collectively wrong, we will end up with a very small and I daresay a very
privileged group while the majority are not. We want to avoid that outcome,”
explained the Governor in a midday press conference held at the Office of the
Premier in Providenciales, TCI.
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When British Airways touches
down at the Providenciales International Airport on January 7, it will have more
than sun-seeking passengers on board; there will be precisely 9,750 doses of
the Covid-19 Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine on board.
It is one of four such
dispatches of the coveted CoVax fanning out to UK Overseas territories in a
demonstration of support from mother England.
Governor of the Turks and
Caicos Islands, Nigel Dakin on Wednesday on national radio and live social
media stream made the announcement.
“In the first delivery, we
will receive 9,750 doses. Since each
person requires two doses, administered 21 days a part, this is enough to
vaccinate 4,875 people around ten percent of our population, if we get this
right, more will follow.”
While senior residents,
medically vulnerable and health care workers have long been touted as first in
line for the vaccine once it was available, the territory’s governor will lead the pack by getting the first jab along
with his wife.
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“Having discussed with the
CMO myself and Mandy will be the first to take it, we feel privileged to be in
this position. We go into Christmas as a
family therefore looking forward to the first weeks of January when we will be
able to protect our health and most importantly we both want to take the first
step which benefits every resident of these islands.”
The governor said the goal
is to get the Turks and Caicos as quickly as possible to herd immunity and he
hopes for a rush of residents who will see the vaccine as the way to protect
themselves and their loved ones.
“To do that, all of us have
to think not only of ourselves but also of the contribution we’re making or not
to the these islands. If we get this right, we will give a huge economic boost
to TCI. We’ll steal business from others as we increasingly become known as one
of the safest destinations in the world.
We are not just securing health, we are generating employment and future
prosperity and we can get there long before others.”
In considering the fear
mongering which has for months been linked to vaccine and the skepticism which
exists in the marketplace, he aimed to quell concerns by labelling the act of
taking the CoVax as the smartest approach; he also did some myth busting.
“The vaccine we are
receiving is the Pfizer vaccine,” he added, “the vaccine does not inject
Covid-19 into you. It instead uses RNA
to trick the body into producing viral proteins, which then delivers immunity.”
The RNA, scientists have
confirmed, cannot alter one’s DNA.
“We have been chosen because
we have direct flights in from the UK. Important because the vaccine has to be
transported as minus 70° and there is a belief we are ready and prepared to use
the vaccine to good effect. This should
be seen as another vote of confidence in TCI. Work has already begun on the
complex logistics and we are confident we can roll this out across the islands.”
Bermuda, Cayman Islands and
Gibraltar will also receive the vaccine from the UK in January.
“This is an enormously
generous offer from the UK and a quite extraordinary opportunity for the
TCI. Given this is a voluntary program,
it’s a moment for us to individually but also collectively seize or to
lose. Our destiny is in our hands, we
can never say we were not given the opportunity.”
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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
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
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 25, 2025 – Budget-friendly skies are opening over the Turks and Caicos Islands as Frontier Airlines prepares to launch its first-ever nonstop flights between Providenciales International Airport (PLS) and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) — the world’s busiest air hub.
Starting December 20, 2025, the twice-weekly service will offer residents and tourists a direct, affordable gateway to and from the U.S. mainland. The new route marks Frontier’s debut in the Turks and Caicos, part of a major regional expansion that includes 22 new routes across Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America.
“We couldn’t be more excited to begin operations in Providenciales,” said Josh Flyr, Frontier’s Vice President of Network and Operations Design. “With our nonstop service to Atlanta, we’re making travel easier, more affordable, and unlocking connections to countless destinations across the U.S. and beyond. It’s not just about tourism — it’s about opportunity.”
Big Win for Providenciales and the Region
The move positions Howard Hamilton International Airport as a growing Caribbean hub. Frontier’s low-fare model is expected to stimulate visitor arrivals, particularly from Atlanta — a key U.S. tourism feeder city — while giving Turks and Caicos residents new, cost-effective travel options for business, education, and leisure.
Industry observers note that the timing couldn’t be better. Turks and Caicos tourism remains on an upward trajectory in 2025, with hotel occupancy and airlift both climbing following the pandemic rebound. Frontier’s entry adds competitive pricing to an air market long dominated by legacy carriers, expanding the reach of the destination to more budget-minded travelers.
A Wider Growth Strategy
The Atlanta–Providenciales launch is part of Frontier’s aggressive Caribbean push this winter, which also includes new flights to Nassau, St. Maarten, Puerto Vallarta, and San José del Cabo. Introductory fares to select destinations are as low as US $69 one-way.
For Turks and Caicos, the connection to Atlanta — one of Frontier’s strategic bases — means instant access to hundreds of onward destinations in North America and beyond.
As Frontier joins the expanding roster of carriers serving the islands, tourism officials are calling it a “win-win for accessibility and affordability.” And for travelers? It’s a golden ticket to paradise — at a fraction of the cost.
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.