Turks and Caicos Health turned away Cruise liner, COVID risk too high

By Shanieka Smith

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, January 15, 2022 – A cruise ship carrying people who were positive for the coronavirus was not permitted to dock in Grand Turk on January 5; reports are residents pushed against the berthing of the vessel despite a recent revival of its cruise industry on December 13, 2021.

Through its Port Health arm, the Ministry of Health and Human Services denied Carnival Freedom entry; the ship was due to arrive in Grand Turk at around 10 am on the Friday.

The Ministry of Health said it had been monitoring the ship ahead of its arrival, including reviewing relevant documentation and has decided to deny its entry in line with local and regional guidelines. This was done in the interest of the public, said a statement issued by Health.

The ship was also refused entry to other countries.

Local authorities in St. Kitts denied its entry on January 5. San Juan was also cancelled due to new entry requirements by local authorities and St. Maarten being replaced with Antigua. Likewise, on December 18, 2021, Carnival Freedom was denied at Bonaire and Aruba.

Health Minister, Hon. Jamell Robinson revealed earlier that ships would have been allowed or denied into TCI’s port depending on the level of risks on a case by case basis.