TCHTA says Covid Vaxx Mandate Extension ‘Out of Touch’

By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, December 23, 2022 – Keeping the vaccine mandate is bad for business and makes the TCI look archaic in its policies according to the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association as it forecasts a possible downturn in bookings.  The Association, through Stacy Cox, CEO issued a statement to Magnetic Media in the hours following the revelation that the Government would stretch the mandate for three more months, making it clear the membership is not in agreement with the decision.

“The TCHTA has provided the Minister with occupancy projections through to February 2023 and a list of regional countries that no longer require vaccination for entry. We shared our clear position that the vaccination requirement should not be extended further, as we did with his predecessor.”

The TCHTA said they had in fact been consulted on the decision and while making it abundantly clear they were thankful to the Government, specifically  Shaun Malcolm, the new Minister of Health for consulting them and for the Government’s successful navigation of the pandemic,  this was not a move they considered helpful to the country describing the TCIs competitive edge as ‘fragile’.

“To date, we are one of a small group of countries regionally that maintains this requirement. More pointedly, we are one of an even smaller group whose country’s economy would be significantly affected by the loss of tourism dollars. The TCHTA believes the extension of this requirement will not only cause a downturn in bookings but will affect the overall outlook on the destination.”

The country’s travel partners have been anxious about the mandate and many had hoped it would simply phase out on December 31st and the effect is not only felt by short term visitors.

“There are homeowners who have patiently waited to enter the country, not having seen their homes for years. There are Turks and Caicos Islanders whose family members have not had the opportunity to visit them. While these groups have understood the need for the protocols to keep everyone safe, that period of understanding is quickly morphing into frustration.”

The Association acknowledged that the measures had kept people safe but reiterated it was now obsolete.

“As of May 2022, 30 countries, including the United Kingdom, have lifted the vaccination requirement for entry. We continue to applaud our Ministry of Health and the Government for making tough decisions to protect our residents and visitors– However, the TCHTA believes that this requirement no longer serves us, and will now position us as a destination that is archaic in its policies.”