News
Turks and Caicos deserves better than Level 3 Travel Alert from US; Health Minister to contact CDC
#TurksandCaicos, June 9, 2021 – The Minister of Health of the Turks and Caicos Islands wants to know why the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) believes it is fair to warn its citizens against travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands with a Level 3 Travel Alert issued for the country.
The Level 3 Alert comes following a new evaluation of the TCI and is a lowered rating; an improvement from a higher risk Level 4 Alert, still the Health Minister and Deputy Premier has expressed his disagreement.
“I’m not happy with it. We are doing everything we can to keep the numbers down and the rating is shocking,” said the Minister in a phone call with our news organization moments after the advisory was issued.
“Based on our results, we should not be considered a high risk destination. The CDC rating is wrong and they need to take another look at this,” conveyed the Minister who was fuming over the meager drop.
The new rating came on Tuesday June 1, 2021.
Turks and Caicos has done well. From hundreds of cases weeks ago to now, 10 individuals confirmed to have Covid-19. The positivity rate is down to below 1.1 per cent and 52 per cent of adults in the UK Overseas territory are now fully vaccinated; 60 per cent having taken one jab.
When he joined Premier Washington Misick for a 100-days Press Conference on June 2, Hon Saunders told the nation, he is going to challenge the rating by the CDC.
“I’m a little bit disappointed that the CDC only reduced us to Level 3. I personally believe that by putting us on a Level 3 it does not reflect the hard work that we have done. I think it is disproportionate at best and I think it is arbitrary at worst,” said Hon Saunders.
The Level 3 Travel Advisory tells American residents, “Reconsider travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution in the Turks and Caicos Islands due to crime.”
The Minister plans to ask the CDC to take another look.
“I will personally reach out to the CDC to find out what criteria they’ve used and what formula they’ve used that landed the Turks and Caicos on Level 3, so we know how to address it going forward.”
Turks and Caicos had been aiming for a positivity rate of below 3 per cent and is on a quest to get 70 per cent of adults vaccinated, with a fourth batch of Covid-19 vaccines planned to arrive in the territory on June 20 from the United Kingdom.
Only one of the variant strains of the Coronavirus has been detected in Turks and Caicos; the U.K. B.1.1.7. variant where six cases were caught in samples sent to the CARPHA Laboratory between February and April 2021.
A May 20 PAHO Report showed significant turn-around in Turks and Caicos; high vaccine uptake, low positivity rate for the virus, strong testing and no deaths in nearly four months.
A new death, with Covid-19 identified as the cause, was reported on Sunday (June 6) by the TCI Hospitals and Ministry of Health. A Haitian woman is the latest to die of the virus in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
While some in the tourism industry are unperturbed by the CDC High risk rating and its effect on travel to Turks and Caicos, others say it rattles traveler confidence.
The UK, in its traffic light system, is expected to lift some Caribbean countries to a Green Light rating; Turks and Caicos has been pegged to be one such destination.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The
development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.
Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.
Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.
Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.
Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.
The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.
Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of
IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”
He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”
Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion
Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.
#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – Detectives of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have
charged a man who allegedly stole a vehicle.
The accused, DANVANTE BRISCO, 30, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was charged with:
- One Count: Robbery
- One Count: Taking Motor Vehicle Without Authority
- One Count: Using Offensive Weapon to cause fear
Mr. BRISCO appeared in court today (May 13 ) and was granted bail of $7500.00 with one surety.
The matter was adjourned to July 05 for a Sufficiency Hearing.
#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male appeared in court today (May 13th) charged with a series of firearm-related offences.
The accused, JAMES SIMON, was denied bail and remanded into custody pending a Sufficiency Hearing scheduled for July 05th, 2024.
Mr. SIMON faces the following charges:
- One Count: Robbery;
- One Count: Gang Membership
- One Count: Possession of a Firearm for the Benefit of a Gang
- One Count: Possession of Ammunition for the Benefit of a Gang.
The charges against Mr. Simon followed investigations by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force into a robbery at the parking lot of a Casino where three males robbed a victim.
Additionally, Mr. Simon is charged with the following offences, having been arrested on May 02nd, 2024, along South Dock Road.
- One Count: Possession of a Firearm
- One Count: Possession of Ammunition
- One Count: Unlawful Entry
Officers also charged a teenage minor who was in the company of Mr. Simon on May 02nd with One Count of UNLAWFUL ENTRY.
The accused, seventeen and from Kew Town, Providenciales, pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on May 20th.
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