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Vaccination & Testing top tools in COVID arsenal return to classrooms; at school testing coming soon
#TurksandCaicos, September 9, 2021 – Teachers across the sector will have to be vaccinated or tested twice weekly for the coronavirus as TCI cautiously sticks to its plan for a return to face to face learning in full.
“We are putting mechanisms in place in conjunction with the ministry of Health, to train persons from the schools who will be responsible for administering the antigen rapid tests, which will take some of the burden off the ministry of health,” said Hon Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Labour, Employment and Customer Service.
“We will allow two persons from each school to go through this training, but while we await that training to take place, testing will continue for unvaccinated teachers only.”
While some schools have had no choice but to continue hybrid learning programs due to space deficiencies and out of an abundance of caution, there is no mandate for schools to bring everyone back if they are unable to do so within public health regulations. 
Testing sites in Providenciales are the Blue Hills clinic in Blue Hills from 9am to 4pm on Fridays and at the National Stadium from 9amto 4pm on Fridays.
Contact tracing and the uptick in Covid 19 cases is taxing the manpower capacity of the Ministry of Health, explained Taylor in her September 3rd press conference from the Office of the Premier in Provo.
“We are encouraging the teachers to ensure that they get tested during these times.”
Once the training – schedule to happen within September – is completed, antigen testing will be performed at the school site.
A meeting ahead of school’s reopening to students was hosted by the Ministry of Health for teachers in both the private and public sector.
Minister Taylor explained, the session was aimed at allaying fears and giving doctor responses to questions about safety amidst the pandemic. Most teachers were concerned about mask mandates; assurances were given that masks or face coverings will remain mandatory for the vaccinated and unvaccinated for both students and staff.
The Minister reported four teacher resignations; due to job offers abroad and some due to the mandatory vaccination policy for expatriate workers. The policy for mandatory vaccination of work permit holders in Turks and Caicos took effect on September 1.
Additionally, the back to school vaccination drive did not yield the kind of returns the Ministries of Education and Health were hoping for. The drive which had a seven day run was designed for the over 12 year olds to begin their Pfizer doses.
Dr. Nadia Astwood, Chief Medical Officer for the Turks and Caicos expressed during her media session that not enough children are getting vaccinated and of the hundreds who are eligible to take the Pfizer vaccine, only 126 have received both doses.
One hundred and sixty-one students have gotten the first jab.
Dr. Astwood said the Ministry of Health will continue to promote vaccination in this age group.
Education Minister Rachel Taylor expressed similar sentiments.