TCI: Social Benefits as incentive to Vaccine on the table says TCI Health Minister

#TurksandCaicos, March 17, 2021 – There are no new raft of restrictions for Turks and Caicos; the Public Health rules which had been in effect related to curfews, business operation hours, church meetings, funeral services, social gatherings and pleasure boat capacity – for example – all remain the same until April 2nd… what is new however, from the Minister of Health, Deputy Premier E Jay Saunders is that government is seriously considering a social benefits programme to incentivize Covid 19 vaccinations. 

The Covid 19 passport, as it is labelled in other countries has made the Cabinet agenda and could include no longer requiring that PCR test in order to travel into Turks and Caicos, said the DP.  A string of media questions gave some insight but no precise timelines or benefits just yet… certainly, the Health Minister is unapologetic though about the consideration of the perks linked to having taken the vaccine… his firmness on the need for the incentives, he said, is driven by the losses in life and frightening hospitalisations of islanders experiencing the most acute symptoms of the virus.

Over the weekend, a Turks and Caicos man was airlifted to the US for medical care due to complications brought on by Covid-19.  At this time the vaccine is still voluntary in Turks and Caicos.  There appears to be no plans to change that but DP Saunders made it clear, Government is on the side of advisors who say the vaccine is the only clear path to a return to life as normal.