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LEGAL INTERPRETATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER ON MANDATORY VACCINATION POLICY FOR GOVERNMENT STAMP HOLDERS, WORK PERMIT HOLDERS, PERSONS APPLYING FOR PERMANENT RESIDENT CERTIFICATES (PRC) AND THEIR DEPENDENTS
#TurksandCaicos, December 31, 2021 – The Customer Service Department, in conjunction with the Employment Service Department, Ministry of Education, Labour, Employment & Customer Service, wishes to advise the general public of the correct legal application of the recently published Public Health Order on the mandatory vaccination.
On June 28th 2021, the Cabinet approved the “Policy to Promote Vaccination among Migrant Population within the Turks and Caicos Islands.” The Policy mandated that all persons within the Islands that are Residence Permit Holders, Spousal Residency Permit, Work Permit Holders, Government Stamp Holders and their dependencies above the age 12 years’ old who are seeking to renew their permit had to be vaccinated by 31st August 2021.
This policy was later further revised and overridden by the introduction of the Public & Environmental Health (Covid-19 vaccination Requirements) Order 2021 which was published in the Gazette and came into effect as of
1st August 2021.
Paragraph 4(1) of the Public and Environmental Health Order provides for a person applying to the appropriate authority for any of the following must provide documentary proof that he or his dependent, as the case may be, has received the COVID-19 vaccine and is fully vaccinated —
(a) a Work Permit or the extension or renewal of a Work Permit;
(b) a Permanent Residence Certificate;
(c) a Residence Permit;
(d) to have the stamp known as “the Government stamp” placed in his passport (contract officers); or
(e) to have the name of a dependent, who is over the age of twelve years, endorsed on his permit or certificate.
Paragraph 4(2) further provides that where any of the following applications:
(a) for the renewal or extension of a Work Permit; or
(b) to have the stamp known as “the Government stamp” placed in a passport (contract officers), had been made but not determined before the commencement of the Order on August 1, 2021, the person concerned must provide documentary proof to the appropriate authority that he is fully vaccinated before the permit is issued or the stamp is placed in the passport, as the case may be.
Paragraph 4(2) also provides that in the case of an application for the renewal or extension of a Work Permit, the applicant must also provide proof that he was fully vaccinated on or before 31 August 2021.
Therefore, the requirement to provide proof of full vaccination by 31st August 2021 relates only to those applications for the renewal or extension of a Work Permit that were made but not determined before the commencement of this Order on August 1, 2021.
Paragraph 4(2) does not prohibit the making of applications for work permit renewals or extensions after 31st July 2021, although those applications would have to comply with the requirement of paragraph 4(1) to show proof of full vaccination.
The Ministry, having consulted with the Office of the Attorney General, wants to be clear in advising the General Public; that in the Public Health Order the ability to provide proof of being fully vaccinated after the submission of an application ONLY applies to work permit applications for renewals which were in hand (with the Customer Services Department or Department of Employment Services) before 1st August 2021 when the Order was Published.
As such, ALL APPLICATIONS for renewal of work permit which are submitted to the Department of Customer Services from the 1st of August 2021 must at the time that the application is submitted show documentary proof of being fully vaccinated.
Similarly, employees on Government Contract, including teachers that were not vaccinated and did not submit an application before 1st August 2021 to the Immigration Department for a Government Stamp, can submit their application and be approved for the stamp, provided they are now fully vaccinated.
Turks and Caicos, May 23, 2026 – Invest Turks and Caicos Islands took center stage at one of the region’s most influential hospitality
investment gatherings this spring, serving as a Platinum Sponsor at ALIS CALA 2026 in Coral Gables, Florida.
Held April 28 to 30 at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel, the conference brought together more than 600 tourism, hotel and investment leaders from over 35 countries focused on the future of hospitality investment in the Caribbean and Latin America.
ALIS CALA — short for the Americas Lodging Investment Summit Caribbean and Latin America — is widely regarded as the region’s premier deal-driven hospitality investment conference. The platform emerged from the merger of the long-running Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) and Hotel Opportunities Latin America (HOLA), creating what organizers describe as a high-level space where investors, developers, lenders, hotel brands and government leaders connect around major regional projects and opportunities.
The event is known for attracting senior decision-makers, with roughly one in three delegates holding titles such as Chairman, CEO, President, Owner or Principal.
Invest Turks and Caicos said its participation focused heavily on showcasing investment opportunities across the territory, particularly in the Family Islands.
CEO Angela Musgrove delivered a presentation highlighting development opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands to what the agency
described as a full room of attendees and strong stakeholder interest.
In a statement following the conference, Invest Turks and Caicos said discussions centered on tourism expansion, sustainable development and long-term investment partnerships designed to position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a leading investment destination in the region.
The agency added that it looks forward to continuing conversations started at ALIS CALA and building new partnerships with investors, developers and strategic stakeholders interested in growth opportunities throughout the islands.
The conference itself focused heavily on capital access, hotel development pipelines, mixed-use tourism projects and investment confidence throughout the Caribbean basin — sectors where Turks and Caicos continues to attract increasing international attention.
The Rick Fox Political Timeline
“Are You Thinking About Politics?”
Fox publicly acknowledged growing calls for him to enter Bahamian politics, saying he had been hearing from women, youth, business owners and everyday Bahamians who were “ready for something different.”
October 19, 2025
“Then Jump, Man.”
Fox revealed a conversation with NBA legend Michael Jordan, who encouraged him to enter politics after asking whether he believed he could help young Bahamians.
November 24, 2025
“The Bahamas Must Be First”
Fox officially announced his intention to run in the 2026 General Election, promising transparency, affordability, opportunity and a modern Bahamian economy.
February 4, 2026
“Officially Picked”
The Free National Movement formally ratified Fox as its candidate for Garden Hills, instantly making him one of the most talked-about figures in the election cycle.
March 20, 2026
“From Courtside to Campaign Stage”
Fox mounted the national campaign stage for the first time at the FNM’s major campaign launch at Baha Mar Resort in Nassau.
March 30, 2026
“I’m Giving The Salary Back”
Fox announced he would not take a parliamentary salary if elected, saying the funds should instead go back into helping the people of
Garden Hills.
April 14, 2026
“Nomination Eve Goes Viral”
A heated confrontation involving Fox and PLP supporters outside the Parliamentary Registration Department exploded across social media after video captured the tense exchange.
April 16, 2026
“Pick Rick” Officially Launches
Nomination Day cemented Fox’s candidacy and formally launched the now-famous “Pick Rick” campaign branding.
April 19, 2026
“Vote and Win”
Jamiah Burrows won a vehicle through Fox’s civic participation challenge, part of a campaign effort encouraging voter engagement and turnout.
April 20, 2026
“The Wealthiest Candidate”
Financial disclosures revealed Fox as the wealthiest candidate in the 2026 election cycle, with reported assets exceeding $469 million, ending speculation about his financial standing.
April 25, 2026
“The Garden Hills Blueprint”
Fox unveiled detailed policy graphics outlining plans for:
- youth development,
- healthcare access,
- infrastructure upgrades,
- environmental restoration,
- entrepreneurship,
- and a proposed $10 million investment fund for Garden Hills.
May 4, 2026
“The Numbers Don’t Lie”
Fox’s campaign highlighted more than:
- 20 community clean-ups,
- 16 streets and locations served,
- and 13 solar lights installed across Garden Hills during the campaign.
May 6, 2026
“Shaq Steps In”
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal publicly endorsed Fox, helping elevate international attention surrounding the campaign.
May 8, 2026
“Buju Backs Rick”
Jamaican reggae icon Buju Banton threw his support behind Fox ahead of Election Day.
May 10, 2026
“Vanessa Williams Endorses”
Fox’s former wife, actress and singer Vanessa Williams publicly endorsed his campaign.
May 11, 2026
“Magic Joins the Campaign”
NBA icon Magic Johnson became the latest major celebrity to endorse Fox just one day before Bahamians went to the polls.
May 12, 2026
“Election Day”
Fox contested the Garden Hills constituency seat against PLP incumbent Mario Bowleg in one of the country’s most closely watched races.
May 13, 2026
“Grace in Defeat”
Fox publicly conceded the race and congratulated Bowleg on his victory in Garden Hills.
May 18, 2026
“We Pick Rick”
Despite losing at the polls, Fox officially entered Parliament after being appointed to the Senate by the FNM — with the party itself declaring:
“We Pick Rick.”
The appointment made Fox one of the most internationally recognized figures ever to serve in the Bahamian Senate.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in coordination with the Planning Department and key partner agencies, conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in the Lower Bight area in Providenciales. The exercise resulted in the complete removal of a total of eight (8) unauthorized structures and all associated debris from a
privately-owned parcel of land.
The operation was led by the Planning Department, with coordination by the ISU and support from the TCI Border Force, the Crown Land Unit, and Pelican Energy. Security for the exercise was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. All agencies worked collaboratively to ensure the exercise was carried out in a safe, orderly, and controlled manner.
The enforcement action followed a structured and lawful process in accordance with the Physical Planning regulatory framework of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Section 45 Enforcement Notices were first issued on the affected parcel in December 2024, identifying unauthorized structures erected without the requisite approvals. This was followed by the issuance of Warning Notices on April 16, 2026, which advised occupants that they were in breach of planning and land use regulations and provided notice that demolition activities would proceed following the prescribed compliance period. Despite these notices and the time afforded for compliance, the unauthorized structures remained in place.
This exercise represents part of an ongoing commitment to ensuring that development within the Turks and Caicos Islands is lawful, safe, and aligned with national standards.
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