Turks & Caicos National Covid-19 Update

#TurksandCaicos, January 28, 2022 – Good Evening, Turks and Caicos, those listening via radio or social media, home and abroad. Thank you for taking the time to be with us for another Health Update. As the current situation progresses my team and I will continue to communicate with you throughout various platforms to keep you well informed. I would like to thank my well abled health team and all those contributing to our health and safety during these unprecedented times. I would like to remind the general public to please continue to adhere to the health protocols:

1. Wear your mask/face covering properly, covering your nose and mouth
2. Wash your hands frequently and sanitize them often
3. Stay 6 feet apart from other persons

If you are vaccinated, please take your booster shot and if you are not, please consider it as the vaccine still has a significant efficacy against severe illness and hospitalizations for COVID-19 variants including Omicron.

I would like to note at this junction that our treatment abroad program is once again experiencing challenges with finding ICU beds throughout our network of overseas providers as those countries are experiences their own waves of the Omicron variant. Please protect your safety and the safety of your loved ones.

The 4^th meeting of Cabinet for 2022 was held today Thursday 20 January 2022 virtually.

At this meeting Cabinet:

Was given an update by the Ministry of Health and discussed further measures being taken to address and mitigate against the threat of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) to the country, including:

1. Spike in positive cases, in particular among residents (75% of cases),
2. Hospital admissions (TCI and overseas) and six recent deaths,
3. Progress on community testing, and
4. Progress on administration of booster shots.

• Cabinet Approved an extension of the existing COVID-19 measures and protocols, which will come into effect from 5am on Monday 24 January and remain in place until 28 February 2022:

1. Entry to Churches or Religious Places of Worship be limited to 50% of their approved capacity only,
2. Weddings and funerals be limited to 50% of their approved capacity only,
3. Entry to restaurants, bars, nightclubs and discotheques will only be allowed by patrons, aged 16 or over, who are fully vaccinated or have proof of negative

COVID-19 test within 24 hours,

1. Social gatherings will only be allowed for patrons, aged 16 or over, who are fully vaccinated or have proof of negative COVID-19 test within 24 hours.

Residents are encouraged to use E-certificates for entry to establishments. These must be presented along with valid photo ID.

All businesses are responsible for verifying the required documents and be must be able to present log books with same for inspection by the Compliance Team.

Business owners are subject to fines for failure to comply.

Exemption for unvaccinated minors below the age of 16 years from these requirements once accompanied by an adult.

Any symptomatic patrons are advised to remain at home unless they are going to get tested.

Exceptions

Visitors/tourists residing at a resort attending bars/restaurants on site.

• Cabinet Approved amendments to Arrival Passengers Travel Clearance Health Regulations 2020, which will come into effect on from 5am on Friday 28 January and remain in place until 28 February 2022:

1. Visitors and unvaccinated residents, aged two years and above, returning to TCI must present a negative PCR/Antigen test within three days of travel,
2. Fully vaccinated residents returning to TCI are required to be tested within two days of arrival through TCIG testing sites at no cost.
3. Unvaccinated minors of fully vaccinated residents are recommended to be tested within two days of arrival.

• Cabinet Approved an extension of the Cuban Brigade for an additional 6 months to assist the Turks and Caicos Islands with its COVID-19 response at the TCI Hospitals, and associated budget. Members also agreed on steps.

Also of note, at the meeting of Cabinet on Wednesday 12 January 2022: Cabinet noted and supported the introduction of genomic sequencing in the TCI to enhance national surveillance capability of the Covid-19 virus.