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Turks & Caicos Islander demands better for COVID patients; no food or water for days

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#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – August 6, 2020 — At least two patients under government quarantine have reached out to say they are not being fed, have no drinking water and have no idea when they will be able to leave the facility, despite having spent nearly three weeks in isolation.

A 60-year-old Haitian woman and a 53-year- old Haitian man are being held at the Beach House and are angered and confused by the ill-treatment they are receiving while in the care of the Turks and Caicos Ministry of Health.

Magnetic Media has reached out to the Ministry of Health about the complaint and some efforts are being made to try and rectify the situation.

Still it is outrageous to those who know the 60-year old woman, a devout church member and legal work permit holder that the older lady is forced to stay put and had not received any meals for over two days. 

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“We need to treat people better than this.  This is just wrong!  How could you hold people at the hotel and not feed them for days?  Ministry of Health needs to treat people better than this.  Even for a dog tied under a tree in your yard, you would make sure it had food and water,” said Bloneva Greene, friend of the woman who brought the matter to our attention.

We will use the COVID patient’s middle name – Simone – in the story, for the sake of privacy.

Simone confirmed, via telephone, that she has received the food left with the security officer by her friend.  Simone added that she has shared some of the meal with the 53-year-old man also being held at the Beach House, which is a quarantine facility as he too was desperately hungry.

The pair, housed in separate living quarters, had not eaten in two days.  Both asked Mrs. Greene for drinking water.

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It was also disturbing to hear Simone’s comment on how her meals were served before they stopped coming altogether. 

“They left de food on de ground outside the door.”

The man explained he suffers from “sugar” which means he is diabetic.  The man also said he has high blood pressure and kidney problems.

“I don’t get nuttin.  You put me one place, no water, no food nutting.  But you trying to kill me.  Send me home, I will stay.  I watch TV that’s it.  Nobody tell me nuttin every night.  One man come and put something in my nose.  I tell man, excuse me sir, you come here, you don’t give me food, you don’t give me nutting, you tell me I get 19 Covid.  I gat sugar, I gat pressure and I get 19 Covid, I supposed to die?  You put me here, for what?!”

For the sake of anonymity, we will use the surname of the man, which is Jean. 

Mr. Jean said he has already spent 14-days at hospital after testing positive for COVID-19 and now, in government quarantine he finds the treatment is inhumane.

We are also informed that both have had subsequent coronavirus PCR tests; Mr. Jean and Simone say they were each tested twice.

“I really feel for this man too because he is telling me that the Guyanese guy who came to swab him actually said, ‘sick people don’t eat food’.  Come on, how can you tell someone with underlying health conditions who has COVID-19 something like that?  Of course he needs food, he needs nutrition,” fumed Mrs. Greene.

Simone has been at Beach House since Saturday and had a doctor visit on Tuesday.  In that phone call, Simone shared that she told the doctor she was hungry, had not eaten in days and asked when she would be released from the quarantine facility.

The Doctor informed that there would be a phone call to say when she was free to leave, presented Simone with documents which detailed the various tests and check-ups and gave her a vitamin regimen. 

On a sticky note, it was scribbled that Simone ought to have blood work completed in two months.

Provided to Mrs. Greene by Simone; a 60-year old Haitian woman in TCI Covid-19 quarantine

The physician did not communicate the meaning of the pages and pages of medical information; leaving Simone at a loss about her state of health.  The doctor also had no suggestions about what 60-year-old, Simone should do for food.

Ministry of Health continues to look into the situation; it was said to Magnetic Media only moments ago by TCI Public Health that those in quarantine should have received breakfast this morning.

Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.

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GOVERNMENT REVIEWING TENDER AFTER GRAND TURK–SOUTH CAICOS FLIGHTS STOP

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Turks and Caicos Islands – March 10, 2026 – Commercial flights between Grand Turk and South Caicos have been temporarily discontinued, leaving residents without a direct air link between the two islands since March 1.

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government confirmed the suspension in a statement Tuesday, explaining that the route — which operates under a government subsidy — is currently under review as officials reassess the tender process used to award the service.

The Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, Investment and Trade said the government is “working diligently to assess available options” to restore reliable air service between the islands as quickly as possible.

While the statement did not identify which airline had been operating the route, historically Caicos Express Airways and interCaribbean Airways have provided flights between South Caicos and Grand Turk using small twin-engine aircraft.

Officials acknowledged the disruption has caused concern among residents, noting that inter-island air travel is critical for access to essential services, business activity and government operations.

The government emphasized that the suspension does not affect flights between Grand Turk and Salt Cay, which continue to operate normally.

The review now underway will determine the next provider for the subsidized route. Authorities say the process must be conducted in a “fair, transparent and efficient manner” before service can resume.

For residents of the two islands, however, the immediate issue remains transportation — with many now forced to reroute through Providenciales or rely on limited sea travel until the air connection is restored.

Further updates are expected once the government completes its review and awards a new operating arrangement.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

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Treasure Beach Village Opens at Beaches; Tourism Leaders Expect Surge in Bookings  

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — A major new chapter in Caribbean tourism has begun in the Turks and Caicos Islands with the opening of Treasure Beach Village at Beaches Turks and Caicos, a $150 million expansion expected to drive increased bookings, air arrivals and tourism earnings for the country.

The new oceanfront development, officially opened on February 28, adds 101 luxury multi-bedroom suites to the resort and introduces new dining, entertainment and family experiences designed to strengthen the destination’s position in the global luxury family vacation market.

Tourism officials and resort executives say the expansion is expected to generate greater demand for the destination, which in turn translates to more flights, more visitor spending and increased government revenue from hotel and tourism taxes.

The development is part of an ongoing investment strategy by Sandals Resorts International, which continues to expand the Beaches brand across the Caribbean.

Executive Chairman Adam Stewart described the opening as a powerful signal of confidence in the Turks and Caicos tourism product.

“This moment reflects a partnership between Sandals and the Turks and Caicos Islands that has been built over decades,” Stewart said during the opening celebrations. The new village, he added, builds on the brand’s reputation for creating multi-generational travel experiences where families reconnect and spend meaningful time together.

The resort expansion reinforces Beaches’ reputation as the world’s leading luxury all-inclusive resort brand for families, and Beaches Turks and Caicos continues to stand as one of the Caribbean’s most prestigious properties.

Government officials attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony, including Tourism Minister Zhavargo Jolly, said the investment strengthens the destination’s international standing and highlights continued confidence in the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier tourism market.

The new village significantly expands the resort’s accommodation offerings with spacious ocean-view suites and high-end villas designed to host larger families and groups. The property now includes luxury options such as the CrystalSky four-bedroom beachfront villas and a multi-level Chairman’s Penthouse suite capable of accommodating up to ten guests.

Treasure Beach Village also introduces six new dining concepts, including the Pinta Food Hall with multiple global cuisine stations and Butch’s Island Chop House, a signature steakhouse previously exclusive to the Sandals brand.

Additional amenities include a 15,000-square-foot lagoon pool, waterslides and splash zones for children, a swim-up bar, and the brand’s first Starfish Cinema, a theatre designed for family movie nights.

Guests staying in the new village will also have access to the full Beaches Turks and Caicos experience, including 28 restaurants, the 45,000-square-foot Pirates Island Water Park, unlimited water sports and supervised children’s programmes.

Industry observers say the investment not only enhances the visitor experience but also strengthens Turks and Caicos’ reputation as one of the Caribbean’s most sought-after luxury destinations.

 

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

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Education

Message from Hon. Rachel M. Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports & Culture

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 6 March 2026: Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”  Today, as we observe National Teachers’ Day, we pause to recognize and celebrate the remarkable contributions of our teachers and the dedicated leaders of our schools. Your commitment to shaping young minds, guiding character, and nurturing potential is a calling that reaches far beyond the classroom. Proverbs 22:6 reminds us, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”  Your daily efforts reflect the truth and wisdom of these words.

We also extend sincere appreciation to the leaders of our schools whose vision, guidance, and steady leadership create environments where both teachers and students can flourish. Your role in supporting educators and maintaining strong, positive learning communities is invaluable to the continued progress of our education system.

Teaching is not without its challenges. Yet, even in moments of stress and difficulty, our teachers continue to demonstrate genuine love, patience, and concern for their students. For this, we are deeply grateful. Your compassion, encouragement, and dedication help our children feel seen, valued, and inspired to reach their full potential. Truly, to teach is indeed to touch lives forever.

Education is strongest when it is supported by partnership. We must also recognize the important role of parents and families in the success of our children. When schools and homes work together, the results are powerful. As we often say, when parents lead, children succeed. This shared commitment creates a strong foundation for learning and growth.

As a Department and Ministry of Education, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting our teachers and school leaders. We will continue to invest in meaningful professional development, provide the resources necessary for effective teaching and learning, and strengthen the systems that empower educators to thrive in their profession. Your work matters deeply, and we remain dedicated to ensuring you have the support needed to continue making a lasting difference.

On behalf of the Ministry of Education, I thank you. Thank you for your dedication, your resilience, your leadership, and for the love and care you show to our children each and every day. Today we celebrate you and the incredible impact you have on our nation’s future.

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