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Governor promotes health and economic advantage of Covid vaccine coming from UK in January

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Nigel Dakin, Turks & Caicos Islands Governor

#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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Finance

(SENIOR CITIZENS) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME (FAP) – UPDATE – 12 NOVEMBER 2024

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Tuesday, 12 November 2024: The Financial Assistance Programme has approved over $1.292 million in payments to 342 persons over the age of 70 years.

The Government is pleased to report that this intervention will ensure that the aged of the Turks and Caicos Islands, have a monthly FAP benefit of up to $1,000 per month. The programme was designed so that those with other sources of pensions which total less than $1,000 per month will be “topped up” to $1,000 per month and those without an alternate source will receive $1,000.00 per month.

The Honourable C. Washington Misick, Premier, in speaking about this programme said that the FAP is an investment in the well-being of the older folk of the TCI.  This monthly contribution makes pension benefits more relevant to the current cost of living and assures a certain level of financial independence and a better quality of life for pensioners.

The provision of liveable pensions is a social obligation that the Government has not taken lightly; and a key component of several initiatives implemented during the past four (4) years that are intended to strengthen social programs to promote economic stability during the entire span of a person’s life in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The FAP portal is currently closed for submissions but will reopen on Monday, November 18, 2024.  To qualify you must:

  • Be receiving a pension that is below $1,000.00 per month from one or multiple sources or is receiving no pension at all.
  • Be a Turks and Caicos Islander or a British Overseas Territory Citizen.
  • Have attained the age of seventy (70) years old.
  • Be ordinarily resident in the Turks and Caicos Islands for the last 5 (five) years.

Persons who are “wards of the state” (e.g. residing in TCIG wellness centres, aged-care centres, etc.) and “wards of the court.” (e.g. in prison etc.) will not qualify for the FAP.

Apply at: seniorcitizensfap.gov.tc

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Crime

Public Advisory: Warning of Ongoing Zoom Scam Calls  

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Turks and Caicos, November 12th, 2024 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) is alerting the public to be cautious of a new swindle involving unsolicited Zoom meeting requests.

Scammers are contacting individuals, falsely claiming they are initiating a Zoom call and then sending a malicious link.

Superintendent of Division A, Willet Harvey, advises: “Do not click on any suspicious links sent to you by unknown callers.  These scams are designed to trick you into compromising your devices and obtaining sensitive information stored on devices.  Protect yourself by being cautious and reporting any suspicious interactions.  These incidents are engaging the attention of the Force’s Forensic Digital Unit. ”

Key Online Safety Tips:

  • Never Accept Links from Strangers: Clicking on unfamiliar or unsolicited links can lead to data breaches, malware infections, and the compromise of your personal information.
  • Verify Before You Click: If someone sends you a meeting link or a file unexpectedly, verify its authenticity before opening it, even if it appears to be from a known contact.
  • Report Suspicious Activity: If you receive a call or message asking you to click on a link, report it immediately to the police and do not engage further.

Stay vigilant and protect your personal information.

For more information or to report a scam, contact your nearest police station, 911 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 or download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information on the identity of fraudsters.

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News

Experience Turks and Caicos Hosts Two-Day Workshop on Product Development and Vendor Excellence in Grand Turk

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PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS  – Experience Turks and Caicos hosted a successful two-day workshop on October 18th and 19th, 2024, with tour operators and vendors, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to enhance their product offerings and guest experiences.

The workshops were held in collaboration with the Aquila Centre for Cruise Excellence with facilitators Ms. Marie Berthe Hatt and Ms. Melanie Colpitts leading the discussions. Experience Turks and Caicos and Aquila are Platinum Partners with the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA).

The workshops took place at the Yellowman and Sons auditorium in Grand Turk and focused on two critical areas: Product Development and Vendor Excellence, with an emphasis on creating and delivering innovative experiences that respond to today’s travel trends.

As cruise destinations continuously evolve to stay competitive, the Product Development Workshop provided participants with a roadmap to ensure their destination remains fresh and appealing to both cruise lines with the theme: “What’s New in Your Destination?” Key topics included identifying market opportunities and emerging trends, crafting unique and memorable guest experiences, marketing strategies to get experiences noticed and ensuring product sustainability.

The Vendor Excellence workshop, held on the second day, highlighted the pivotal role vendors play in shaping the overall cruise guest experience. This half-day workshop was designed to empower vendors with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide exceptional service, improve sales, and enhance their contribution to the destination’s success. Key topics covered during the Vendor Excellence workshop included understanding the critical role of vendors in the success of cruise tourism, optimising products and services for maximum impact, sales mastery and improving revenue-generating capabilities and developing a guest-centric approach to service

Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Josephine Connolly, applauded the Product Development Team, led by Product Development Manager Mrs. Candesha Mills, for creating an opportunity for tour operators and vendors to enhance their offerings.

“Developing our products to increase visitation and spend on island is a very important aspect of the work of Experience Turks and Caicos. These workshops will go a long way to spark new ideas and new businesses, to improve the way business is conducted, enhance the product development on the island and to affirm our commitment to ensuring that everyone across the Turks and Caicos Islands benefit from the tourism industry. I applaud the team for this initiative and I thank everyone who attended and participated in these workshops,” the Minister said.

Mrs Mills said: “The two-day workshop was incredibly informative and facilitated great discussions among the participants. Tour operators and vendors walked away with a wealth of knowledge on how to enhance their existing products and services and were inspired to create new ones based on current market trends. This training equipped them with the tools they need to stay competitive and continue delivering exceptional experiences to our cruise guests.”

Ms. Berthe Hatt, shared her enthusiasm following the two-day workshops: “Grand Turk is such a special community, and Melanie and I are so grateful to Experience Turks and Caicos for this opportunity to work with the tour operators and vendors here. Over the last two days, we’ve had such engaged participants and great discussions around new product ideas and raising the level of service. We’re excited and cheering you on.”

Each attendee received a certificate of completion, symbolising their readiness to contribute to the success of the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier cruise destination.

Experience Turks and Caicos continues to lead efforts in enhancing the destination’s offerings and empowering local stakeholders, ensuring the islands remain a top choice for cruise lines and their guests.

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