Health
TCI Restrictions Relaxed, Residents ‘thumbs up’ the changes
#TurksandCaicos, July 6, 2021 – The 28-day COVID 19 positivity rate for the Turks and Caicos Islands was .03 per cent, up to June 28, 2021 and the surging popularity of the destination and the encumbrances created by the now former raft of restrictions have led to the softening of public health regulations since July 1st according to E Jay Saunders, the Minister of Health and Deputy Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
During a June 28 press conference, Hon Saunders gave a run-down of recent cabinet meetings but for those watching live via social media, the keenest interest was in whether the public health milestones and approaching expiry date of restrictions would work to see a ‘change’, given the impressive data amidst the ongoing pandemic.
And change they did.
There were over 200 comments and many of them approving of the judgement call of the Cabinet; though restrictions are not completely lifted, to give businesses the green light to open later, curfew is shorted to four hours each night and capacities are more than doubled for events and boaters. As close to pre-pandemic living the Turks and Caicos has er been in seven months.
Curfew, as of July 1 is 1 a.m.; businesses can remain open until 12 midnight; churches, weddings, funerals, restaurants, outdoor bars and pleasure boats can now take 70 per cent of capacity and people can now sit around bar counters but are encouraged to keep the closeness limited to their pax.
Additionally, 50 per cent capacity indoors at bars is as of July 1st and in the new regulations, functions like concerts or larger scale events of 100 people or more, require the host apply to the Environmental Health Department for approval.
Deputy Premier Saunders also said the agreement to change the public health protocols is hinged on trust. He beckoned to residents to end the illegal villa parties and to manage the coming changes responsibly.
The former restrictions expired on June 30. It is still required for people to socially distance, sanitise and wear face coverings.