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TCI Government asked to Reconsider Vaxx Rule for Foreign Home Owners

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#TurksandCaicos, November 24, 2021 – Foreign TCI homeowner should be made a category on the TCI Assured portal with the opportunity for those who fit the category to enter the Turks and Caicos Islands without being vaccinated, abiding by the same rules as an unvaccinated resident of the country; it is a position now put out to the public by Dameko Dean.

Mr. Dean is speaking in defence of at least one family which is cut off from their investment.

The shocking decision of the TCI Government to implement a vaccine mandate for all tourists to the country on September 1st did more than stop ‘unvaxxed’ guests from entering, it also stopped ‘unvaxxed’ foreigners who own homes in this British overseas territory. Dean is among those who feel the rule is insensitive.

“I think it’s unfair and inhumane to deny these foreign homeowners access to their homes after they have invested so heavily to our economy.  Our government, he said, encouraged foreign investors to purchase homes here in TCI without providing any notice, prior to purchase, that their right to visit their new homes will be abruptly taken away.”

In a Letter to the Editor, Dean explained he knows of homeowners who continue to pay bills for their homes but are unable to have access to them because of their choice not to become vaccinated.  He said while a tourist can choose anywhere in the world to visit, a foreign homeowner does not have that option.

The matter has not failed to capture the attention of the Minister with responsibility for Health and Human Services, Hon Jamell Robinson, who said a case has already been made for the small number of people who fit into this category.

He told our media house that the government’s intention is not to bar people from coming to Turks and Caicos and that includes home owners, agreeing that the request for a different rule for foreign home owners in is not unreasonable.

One letter which has gone to the premier and the governor was shared with us.  In it the husband and wife homeowners inform of their purchase of a Grace Bay located residence with a $1.3 million price tag in March this year. The couple also informs that they had initiated an application for Permanent Residency Certificate (PRC) status when a vaccine mandate forced a termination of their application.

The wife, now 25-years-old, shared that she has been a regular traveler to Turks and Caicos since she was a few months old; her parents are also homeowners and PRC holders in the country.

In her letter dated November 14, 2021 the homeowner describes the situation as having put her family in an “untenable position” because of their decision not to take the coronavirus vaccine.

She labelled the vaccine “experimental” and shared that she and her husband are healthy, had and caught and recovered from Covid-19 in February this year and now have natural immunity to the virus.

She reminded country leaders in the letter, that a stamp duty of $100,000 was paid for a home she now cannot visit and called the mandate instituted on September 1 unfair.

“There is nothing equitable about this decision,” she said, adding that the public literature on investing in the Turks and Caicos does not reflect the drastic change in entry requirements and she labelled it a breach of the TCI Constitution.

“We as property owners are not visitors when we are in TCI, we are in our homes.  It is more than a seven day package tour…I respectfully request that you reconsider the vaccine policy for property owners.

The request is being considered at the government level and requires cross department agreement and presentation to Cabinet for approval.  A vote will determine if the rule will change.

The change, if any, will obviously not come in time for this family’s plan for a huge gathering in TCI for the Thanksgiving holidays, which the home owner informed (via her letter) is now happening in nearby Bahamas, where there is no such restriction.

 

 

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Monument Supports Hands for Hunger With Paradise Plates Debut  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ leading wine and spirits distributor, proudly supported Paradise Plates, Hands for Hunger annual fundraiser with a flavorful offering of its newest product, Monument Beverage Co.

Monument, which launched this July and is available across six major islands, made its Paradise Plates debut. Guests enjoyed three bold flavors: Peach Passion, Ginger-Lime and Melon Fizz as they socialized throughout the evening.

Monument brand ambassadors engaged guests with knowledge on the ready-to-drink beverage’s unique taste and look. Many attendees were delighted to learn that Monument is 100% Bahamian-made and owned and enjoyed seeing the various national landmarks on the packaging.

The booth was adorned with vibrant brand colors, striped arches, tropical florals and a photo worthy backdrop featuring Monument cans filled with florals cascading down the wall.

At the end of the event, the entire Monument inventory had finished, making Monument’s Paradise Plates debut a huge success.

For more details on Caribbean Wines & Spirits, new products and specials, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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Schweppes ‘the Art of Mixology’ Dazzles at Paradise Plates with Nemiroff Vodka

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Schweppes, in collaboration with Nemiroff Vodka dazzled guests with handcrafted cocktails during Paradise Plates, Hands for Hunger’s annual fundraiser held at Atlantis’ Imperial Ballroom.

The evenings’ theme, 70’s: Paradise Disco, inspired bold and delicious sips from Schweppes and Nemiroff.  The beautiful disco themed Schweppes booth, adorned with LED signs, lush greenery and hanging black and gold metallic orbs shined throughout the room.

Schweppes’ brand representatives and mixologists dressed in chic 70’s speakeasy attire engaged attendees throughout the night. Guests enjoyed receiving knowledge of each product and experiencing the vibrant energy of brand representatives.

Nemiroff Vodka, which is locally distributed by Caribbean Wines and Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor; offered a unique variety of vodkas which made the perfect blend with Schweppes. Guests enjoyed, Nemiroff’s Honey Pepper, De Luxe, Burning Pear, Wild Cranberry, and Bold Orange vodkas throughout the night.

Fan favorite cocktails of the night were: the Wild Cranberry Tonic and the Bold Orange Fizz.

Following a positive response at Paradise Plates, CWS is offering Nemiroff and Schweppes specials at local liquor stores for the entire month. With the purchase of any 1-liter Nemiroff vodka, enjoy a complimentary three-pack of Schweppes mixers, to recreate the magic of Schweppes and Nemiroff.

Cara Douglas-Adderley, Senior Marketing Director for Caribbean Bottling (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products and CWS shared the inspiration behind the Schweppes and Nemiroff promotion.

“We are thrilled to have paired Schweppes and Nemiroff for Paradise Plates this year, creating a premium cocktail experience for guests. After receiving such positive feedback, we wanted to extend that experience to consumers at home. Throughout October, consumers can visit their favorite watering hole, buy any 1-liter Nemiroff bottle and receive a free three-pack of Schweppes.”

Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to offer Schweppes, Coca-Cola’s premier mixer in collaboration with Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Nemiroff Vodka at Paradise Plates in support of Hands for Hunger’s mission.

For more information on CBC’s philanthropic work, new products and specials, visits www.cbcbahamas.com today.

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Beaches Turks & Caicos gives Enid Capron Primary a pre-term facelift

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks and Caicos has refreshed the grounds of Enid Capron Primary School in Five Cays, Providenciales, ahead of the new school year, with a landscaping team from the resort, pruning and cutting back overgrown branches to give the campus a cleaner, safer look.

The project focused on the school’s exterior plantings, where tangled growth had begun to encroach on walkways and outdoor learning areas. The team spent time trimming hedges, thinning dense shrubs and removing deadwood to improve sightlines and airflow around the buildings.

Assistant Landscaping Manager, Kemar Jones said the work at Enid Capron is a regular priority for the department, which views community giving as a core part of its mandate. He noted that supporting local schools, particularly through hands-on environmental work, has long been a focus area for his team.

Jones, said the effort reflects the group’s wider commitment to the islands. “As a team, our goal is to give back to our communities and especially providing support for the environment and education,” Jones noted. “The team is always ready to share our skills with making the school environment more comfortable for our students and teachers.”

General Manager Deryk Meany framed the project as part of Beaches’ broader approach to working alongside the community beyond the resort gates. “At Beaches Turks and Caicos, we operate as a team not only within the confines of the resort but also with our communities,” Meany added. “Being able to share our varied skills is always our main focus. Providing a comfortable learning environment allows for a greater relationship with our educational collaborators.”

He added that the resort seeks opportunities to support range of school-based initiatives, from environmental and leadership clubs to creative programmes.

Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture Hon. Rachel Taylor described the landscaping mission as a continuation of a long-standing relationship between the Ministry and Beaches Turks and Caicos. “This mission from our major private sector supporter, Beaches Turks and Caicos is a long standing activity,” Taylor said. “At Enid Capron Primary School, we are treated as family. Once we reach out to the resort, they have always responded in a positive way.”

Hon. Taylor said the support is particularly valuable in the areas of education and community development, where consistent private-sector engagement can amplify government efforts.

Nelene Swann, vice principal at Enid Capron Primary welcomed the refreshed grounds as a boost to morale before classes resume. “This is what true collaboration looks like,” she noted. “This is more than a facelift for the school. The team from Beaches Turks and Caicos has shown true commitment in adding to this learning environment for our students and teachers.”

She said the improved landscaping contributes to a more comfortable and inviting campus for all stakeholders. “This is a good way to start the new school year. This facelift will certainly make the facilities here at the school more appealing to our students, teachers and parents.

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