Breathe in TCI’s fresh ocean breeze, MASK-FREE as COVID restrictions relax with plummeting infection rate

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, March 3, 2022 – Fish fry is again in the cards for Turks and Caicos Islanders thanks to outstanding self-control according to Minister of Health Jamell Robinson; and masks, in the outdoors, they are now officially no longer required..

It is the first time since the start of the Coronavirus Pandemic in March 2020, that a mask mandate has been fully lifted for the main islands of the Turks and Caicos.  Salt Cay has long had its mask mandate removed.

Robinson addressed the issue at his press conference last Thursday firstly crediting the residents of the Turks and Caicos for being the reason why restrictions can be relaxed.

“I think we’re in a great place…if we can continue on the trend we can get back down to zero. I would like to thank the general public for taking collective responsibility in helping to bring our cases down to more manageable numbers.”

In terms of why fish fry wasn’t back yet he said, “You have to get a permit for any event over a hundred persons and there is no limit and we as a ministry will provide advice on how any event can run effectively so there’s nothing stopping Fish Fry from returning, outside of the issues in terms of finding a location.”

He said as he announced the government’s eased restrictions on certain gatherings.

As of 5 AM February 28th churches or religious places of worship, restaurants, bars, nightclubs or discotheques,  weddings and funerals were all allowed to return to 100% of their capacity. Churches weddings and Funerals had all been operating at 50% percent over the past weeks.

No proof of vaccine or negative Covid-19 test will be required to enter restaurants, bars, nightclubs or discotheques and establishments will no longer be required to keep logbooks. Boat excursions will also be without restrictions.

Persons with a positive Covid-19 test will still need to quarantine but asymptomatic persons or persons with mild symptoms, may be reassessed on the third day of quarantine and released if they meet certain criteria.

The Covid-19 dashboard will be produced weekly instead of daily as cases wane.

Certain restrictions remain in place however; social gatherings inclusive of beach events over 100 persons will require written permission from the Chief Medical Officer or Chief Environmental Health Officer and a permit from the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR).

Residents will still need to wear masks and/or face covering while indoors and in enclosed spaces. The requirement for them outside is gone and their use is now only recommended for outdoors when in close proximity to others. Adult visitors to the island will still be required to be vaccinated.

The Health Minister was clear on why the country still had some restrictions in place.

“We must all continue to be mindful of our unique position as a country with our strengths and weaknesses. When it comes to COVID19 we must continue to cut our own cloth and find ways to still both protect lives and livelihoods.”