(CORRECTED VERSION) – His Excellency the Governor, Nigel Dakin, chaired the 5th meeting of Cabinet on Wednesday 24 March 2021 at the Office of the Premier on Grand Turk.
All members were
present.
At this meeting
Cabinet:
· Was given an update by the Ministry of Health on:
a) The measures being taken to address and mitigate against the
threat of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) to the country, including the need to test
for multiple variants, and
b) The instillation of Oxygen Generators at the Cheshire Hall
Medical Centre and the Cockburn Town Medical Centre.
· Approved amendments to the Public and Environmental Health
(Testing of COVID-19) Regulations to include:
a) The use of Lateral Flow Devices for local surveillance of high
risk TCIG departments;
b) Robust reporting requirements; and
c) Confirmatory testing and testing requirements.
· Approved the rollout of an expanded Vaccination Campaign,
including among other measures, the use of more marketing mediums, drive
through vaccine sites, and community outreach/events.
· Approved a policy for a programme of mandatory Covid-19 testing
of unvaccinated staff in the public sector for key high risk departments.
· Approved an amendment to Public and Environmental Health
(Arriving Passengers) Regulations to allow for upon arrival PCR testing at the
airport for TCI residents who have been fully vaccinated (2 doses) in the TCI;
doing away with the requirement for such persons to obtain a negative PCR test
within five days prior to their arrival in the Islands with effect from 1 May 2021.
· Approved an amendment to the Public and Environmental Health
(Pandemic) Regulations to reduce the prescribed quarantine period from 14 days
to 7 days for fully vaccinated persons (2 doses) who come into contact with
someone with the COVID-19 disease.
· Approved an MOU with the Turks and Caicos Islands Medical
Association (TCIMA) to assist the Ministry of Health with COVID-19 local
surveillance through a programme of community testing using Lateral Flow
Devices.
· Approved the overturning of a decision by the Collector of Stamp
Duty by granting a waiver to a named individual on appeal in the context of a
closed stimulus programme.
· Approved an update to the Provisional Warrant approved by the
House of Assembly in December 2020 for a withdrawal from the Consolidated
Fund in
respect of the Recurrent Expenditure of the Islands for part of the fiscal year
2021/22. The revised Provisional Warrant will be
re-submitted to the House of Assembly.
· Approved the Invest Turks and Caicos Agency (Amendment) Bill
2021 to improve good governance within the Invest Turks and Caicos Agency
Ordinance regarding legal, financial, regulatory, and compliance matters.
The Bill will be submitted to the House of Assembly for debate.
· Approved an amendment to the supporting documents to be
submitted by applicants over the age of 75 years to enable them to benefit from
income assistance/relief under the Citizen Relief – Covid-19 Stimulus
Program.
· Approved the appointment of Joe Conolly as Chairman and
Carla P. Blake-Thomas as Deputy Chair of the TCI National Health Insurance
Board for a period of two (2) years with effect from 1 April 2021.
· Were updated on ongoing work by Labour and Employment Services
and the Department of Immigration, in particular issuance of work permits,
prosecution and departure from the TCI of persons found residing in the country
illegally.
· Were updated on progress with addressing processes, structures and
staffing of the Gaming Control Commission and approved the removal of the
members of the Board.
· Approved the waiver of stamp duty for the purchase of Project
House by the Financial Services Commission.
· Confirmed the round robin approval of the Supplementary
Appropriation (2020/2021) Bill 2021 and noted its recent approval by the House
of Assembly.
· Were updated on ongoing works by the Ministries
of Education, Infrastructure, Tourism and Health. Members
were also updated on end of year (financial) work by the Civil Service and
staffing across various departments.