#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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Around 10:59 am, the Police Control Room received a call of gunshots at a location along the Millennium Highway, Providenciales.
Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force were dispatched and, based on preliminary investigations, were told that the occupant (s) of a red Suzuki Swift was at a business place when another car pulled alongside it, and the occupants started shooting.
The driver of the Swift drove off while the other unidentified vehicle sped off in a separate direction.
Officers found the Swift abandoned near Miracle Close, Blue Hills, shortly after.
Based on investigations, no injuries were reported.
This remains an active investigation.
The RT&CIPF is asking anyone with information or CCTV footage of the shooting that may assist the police with enquiries to contact 911, the closest police station, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 and anonymously give any information.
Additionally, persons are being asked to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app.
There are twelve new officers within the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.
The officers—Ronn James, Ernie Henry, Aron Charlery, Andrew Ottley, Emmanuel Dabreo, Damion Clarke, Jeffrey Kaye, Roan Waugh, Shan Livermore, Kemar Chambers, Michael Campbell, and Ajay Budhai—took an oath to protect and serve the citizens of the Turks and Caicos Islands yesterday (July 22nd) afternoon at Police Headquarters, Providenciales.
Commissioner of Police Edvin Martin, who administered the officers’ oath, said, “Thank you for choosing the TCI. It will not be a bed of roses. Policing requires hard work, and you ensure our communities are safe. Your arrival was anticipated and highly overdue.
“You are now officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, and you are committed to the safety of the people of these archipelagoes. We must lead by example and not let our guard down. Stand firm on the foundation of our motto- Service With Pride and Integrity. Integrity is doing the right thing in the absence of anyone watching.”
The President of the Christian Council, Pastor Wilbert Jennings, delivered the opening prayer and told officers to always call on God in their time of need.
Deputy Commissioner Rodney Adams, Assistant Commissioner Kendall Grant, acting Assistant Commissioner Mat Newton, Chairman of the Police Welfare Association Sgt. Jepson Victor and Human Resources Manager Rex Swann also attended the ceremony.
A 23-year-old male from the Bight, Providenciales, has been charged with the theft of a boat.
CHANDELER JOSEPH is expected to appear before a Magistrate next week to answer the following charges:
Two Counts of Theft
Two Counts of Handling Stolen Goods
The charges against Mr. Joseph followed a report of a stolen boat in the Turtle Cove district on July 19th,2024.
Inquiries were conducted shortly after Mr Joseph was arrested and subsequently charged.
The RTCIPF is asking anyone with information on illegal activities that may assist the police with enquiries to contact 911, the closest police station, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 and anonymously give any information.
Additionally, persons are being asked to download the CrimeStoppers P3 app.