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NO MORE PORTAL, NO MORE MASKS, NO MORE TESTS  

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By Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

 

#TurksandCaicos, April 26, 2022 – Well over half a million travel entry approvals have been processed by the TCI Travel Assured portal which will in four days become a relic; put into retirement as the Turks and Caicos Islands demonstrates it is confident the worst of the Coronavirus Pandemic is behind us.

Also gone: mandatory mask wearing and mandatory testing in order to enter the Turks and Caicos Islands for everyone.

The announcement came on Monday April 25, 2022.  There were no new raft of rules unveiled to manage the virus, there were only rollbacks of restrictions and the beginning of COVID Normal for the TCI, which is a leading tourism destination and a UK overseas territory.

 …as of April 18th, 2022 the Turks and Caicos Islands have again lowered it’s CDC Health threat listing to now a level 2. I again thank all the Health Professionals, Frontline workers, the various associations, and you the general public for your role in helping us continue to manage this now over 2 year old Covid-19 Pandemic,” said Jamell Robinson, Minister of Health & Human Services.

Added to the improved health and safety rating by the CDC, the Turks and Caicos Minister in his Monday National Health Update had significant reveals and changes to the Covid 19 Public and Environmental Health protocols.

The rules were approved by Members of the Turks and Caicos Cabinet.

“Approved for a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to be administered for all adults, prioritizing those aged 60 and over and high-risk immunosuppressed individuals in the first instance,” said Robinson, who added, “Members also agreed to remove the requirement for visitors to have a negative Covid test and insurance. As such, the requirement for all passengers to register their details on the TCI Assured portal is discontinued with effect of 1 May 2022.”

The change which takes effect as of Sunday, also puts the TCI Travel Assured Portal, which was established ahead of a July 2020 reopening of the borders to tourism after the threat of the coronavirus, into retirement.

Now, in order to enter the Turks and Caicos, there will be no need to apply and gain approval through the portal.  Just like in the old days, which was about two years ago, one just needs to buy a ticket and show up at the airline check in counter.

Visitors, however , will still need to be fully vaccinated in order to enter the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Once Covid-19 tanked global travel, countries responded with a pre-approval in order to visit the respective countries.  For the Turks and Caicos Islands, an approval was hinged on a valid test, vaccination card and insurance coverage.  It was painstakingly managed by human power under the remit of the TCI Ministry of Tourism.  The most recent COVID-19 Dashboard for TCI exposes that at the very least, some 478,593 guest travellers passed through the portal process.

The figure above is only part of the picture.  It does not include travelling residents and does not reflect guests who would have visited the territory prior to January 2021 rules when travellers were expected to test negative for COVID for entry and exit.

Masks in Turks and Caicos were already discontinued for outdoor activities; now the government has stepped back from legalizing the donning of face coverings.

“Approved amendments to the Public and Environmental Health Covid-19 Regulations removing the mandatory requirement for face masks to be worn indoors and in enclosed spaces with effect of 1 May 2022,” informed Minister Robison.

Masks are now optional.

Returning residents who are fully vaccinated never had to provide a negative test for COVID; now returning residents who are unvaccinated are exempt from testing also.

Minister Robinson informed, “Visitors must present proof of vaccination and returning residents must present proof of (TCI) residency.”

The significant changes which render null and void the need for a 3-day old PCR test, an antigen test or the wait and hope to get the TCI Travel Assured Portal approval ahead of flights, makes Turks and Caicos a far more attractive and affordable vacation option as the cost to visit and hassle to get in are now gone.

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Health

Ministry Clarifies: No Suspension of Overtime in The Emergency Medical Services Department  

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PRESS RELEASE

 FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 3 July 2025 – The Ministry of Health and Human Services addresses a memo currently circulating that suggests cessation of overtime within the Emergency Medical Services Department. The Ministry of Health wishes to clarify that this communication does not reflect its current policy or operational plans.

The Emergency Medical Services Department operates on a shift system that ensures that there are staff working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and that more than one ambulance is operational.  The Ministry remains committed to supporting and strengthening emergency medical services across the Turks and Caicos Islands. In fact, the Government has recently invested in the acquisition of eight (8) new ambulances, which are expected to be distributed throughout the islands. This strategic move is part of ongoing efforts to enhance response times and ensure that individuals in need of urgent care receive assistance as quickly as possible.

Currently, there is no plan to suspend overtime for the Emergency Medical Services personnel, however, there is a plan to better manage work schedules to ensure that there is better alignment. The Ministry appreciates the hard work and dedication of all emergency staff and continues to collaborate to ensure services are provided efficiently and safely.

We encourage all staff and members of the public to refer only to official Ministry of Health communications for accurate and current information. An internal review in relation to this matter is in progress.

The Ministry of Health and Human Services remains focused on improving access to quality healthcare and ensuring the readiness of emergency services across the country.

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Health

Setting a New Standard for Caribbean Wellness Retreats

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From sunrise meditation to sunset sails, Wymara invites guests to reconnect through a holistic schedule grounded in movement, mindfulness, and place

 

Wymara is redefining the wellness resort experience in the Caribbean. With a bold focus on movement, mindfulness, nutrition, and nature, the resort pairs luxurious amenities with purposeful programming designed to reset body and mind. This season, a new daily wellness schedule deepens Wymara’s commitment, offering guests unlimited complimentary classes that encourage reconnection, restoration, and real results.

Designed around the resort’s natural rhythm, the new schedule transitions effortlessly from dynamic activity to intentional stillness. Guests can take part in Stand-Up Paddleboard Yoga in the Caribbean’s only in-ocean pool, Revitalizing Sunset Yoga, Sound Bath Meditation, HIIT Workouts, and Mat Pilates, all grounded in a philosophy of space, setting, and connection.

“We see wellness not as an amenity, but as a defining part of the Wymara experience,” says Sarinah Sari, Spa Director. “We aim to create experiences that restore, rebalance, and stay with you, long after you leave the island.”

Classes are led by a team of experienced practitioners like Deep Singh, whose background spans therapeutic yoga, Ayurvedic bodywork, and energy-based healing.                                                                                                                                                                                                          His experience includes time at acclaimed wellness retreats across the Maldives and India, reinforcing Wymara’s commitment to cultivating one of the most compelling in-house wellness teams in the Caribbean.                                                                                                                                   Private sessions are also available by request, allowing guests to personalize their wellness journey with one-on-one instruction in yoga, meditation, breathwork, and energy healing. For a more immersive approach, curated itineraries are available to align movement, nutrition, and mindfulness into a stay designed for lasting impact.

Wymara approaches wellness as a 360° experience, aligning expert-led programming, best-in-class spa treatments, and curated experiences across land and sea. The resort continues to set the pace for integrative wellbeing in Turks and Caicos through:

  • At the heart of Wymara’s spa experience are results-driven treatments by 111SKIN, the science-led luxury skincare brand. This fall, two exclusive 111SKIN treatment rooms will launch at the Villas, elevating the partnership even further.
  • Sunset Cove Beach Club, an expansive wellness destination featuring a 25-metre lap pool, full fitness centre, sauna and steam room, Jacuzzi, and courts for tennis, pickleball, basketball, and bocce.
  • Wymara’s recent Green Globe Certificationsignals its ongoing commitment to sustainability as an essential pillar of the resort’s integrative wellness ethos.
  • plant-forward culinary program, praised for its creativity and balance. Specialized vegan and vegetarian menus are integrated across restaurants, in-villa dining, and custom menus.
  • Complimentary ocean experiences, including reef snorkelling, stand-up paddleboarding, and clear-bottom kayaking, just steps from the sand.
  • Anewly launched Wymara Experience Book, featuring curated recommendations across wellness, adventure, cuisine, and culture to help guests shape their ideal stay.

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TCI receives six (6) additional Certificates of Analyses for commonly prescribed antidiabetic medicine

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Press Release 

 From the ministry of health and human services

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 24 June 2025 – The Pharmacy Unit within the Ministry of Health and Human Services (MoHHS) is pleased to report that it has received six (6) additional certificates of analyses following the testing and analyses of six (6) samples of the commonly prescribed antidiabetic medicine, metformin. This brings to a total of 11 samples following the receipt of five (5) certificates of analyses earlier this year. The samples – which have been confirmed as achieving the required quality standard – were selected from batches that have been utilised on the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) market.

Certificate of Analysis is a legal document that certifies the quality of a medicine and/or its ingredients known as excipients. The certificate demonstrates that the batch/ sample tested meets all the required quality control standards which confirms product quality and safety.

The Unit continues to partner with the Medicines Quality Control and Surveillance Department (MQCSD) of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) as a part of their risk-based Post-Market Surveillance (PMS) Programme for medicines to conduct these tests and analyses. The TCI’s involvement in the PMS Programme continues to strengthen and support the effectiveness of its medicines regulatory system by:

  • Providing data and information that will better inform the government on the appropriate and effective regulatory actions and strategies to implement (that will improve the availability of safe and essential good quality medicines), and
  • Identifying in a timely manner, possible substandard and falsified products/medicines on the TCI market.

Importantly, the Minister of Health and Human Services – Honourable Kyle R. Knowles declared that “it is essential to improve fair access to safe, effective and quality medicines as these are hallmarks of effective disease management/treatment.” As such Hon. Knowles notes that “the MoHHS and by extension, the Pharmacy Unit, will continue to strengthen the systems and capacities required to improve the effective monitoring of drug/patient safety.”

The MoHHS will continue to ensure that the health and wellbeing of all TCI residents are positively impacted by actively monitoring and regulating all medicines used within the TCI. The MoHHS is also encouraging persons to utilise the Adverse Drug Reaction Form – found at https://gov.tc/docs/ADR.pdf – to report any suspected:

  • adverse events – suffered from the use of medicines and/or
  • substandard or falsified medicines.

These reports are paramount as they aid in determining whether medicines will be submitted for analysis and testing.

For further information, please contact André Morgan, National Pharmacist at: (649)338-3072 or amorgan@gov.tc and visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth.

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