TCI News
People sleeping in cars hoping for help; No testing in TCI creating a Humanitarian crisis
#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – September 7, 2020 — People have given up their apartments and are sleeping in their vehicles, some are hanging around just hoping and waiting and others are crying as they plead for assistance, but still there is no help for foreign workers who are out of money, out of time and seemingly out of luck when it comes to having a Covid-19 PCR test done in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
It has now become a humanitarian crisis for some of those who have been, for days, waiting to hear that the Turks and Caicos Islands Government has approved a community-based laboratory, which can perform the desperately needed test.
Entry requirements amidst the pandemic continue to be a stranglehold for travel, globally. It is no longer easy and from the Turks and Caicos to destinations which demand a negative result for COVID-19, it seems impossible.
Government, despite months of outcry, is “stubbornly” holding its positions.
One, that they will not prioritise testing for travellers and two, that they will not permit anyone else to test or even take swabs in order for results to come from approved laboratories abroad.
It is a mystifying posture, to put it mildly.
One which is driving people to extremes, including begging for help, camping out at the local lab, Accu Diagnostics and calling media attention to their plight.
No one from the Ministry of Health is speaking. No one from government is offering any public statement to navigate a way through this manageable dilemma.
A flight out of the Turks and Caicos tomorrow is what nine Filipinos are hoping they are aboard. The group is made of staff who have resigned or been terminated due to the impact on travel and tourism of the coronavirus pandemic.
Three stops for the travelers require negative PCR tests; Dominican Republic, Dubai and home in the Philippines. The DR is a transit stop, with a seven hour layover; but Dubai will not allow the travelers in without a negative test result. Already, the Filipinos who hope to depart tomorrow will be cutting it close, due to the days within which the negative result has to be provided.
ACCU Diagnostics has submitted the final standard for Ministry of Health approval since this past Thursday. Four days on and there is no approval and the official authorization is a must for ACCU which would otherwise face criminal offence; warned a Ministry of Health notice on August 31, 2020.
The notice followed a declaration by Edwin Astwood, the Minister of Health, that ACCU Diagnostics was already supporting government’s testing regime and approved as a coronavirus community testing centre.
It turned out to be another useless statement and embarrassing mix-up by the Ministry of Health.
Work permit holders were told by the Government to leave the country if furloughed or terminated. Work permit holders were also told by the Government it is illegal for them to be in Turks and Caicos unemployed or seeking new employment. Now, Work Permit holders are being told ‘no’ to requests for coronavirus testing, by the very same Government.
The Filipinos have explained to Magnetic Media, they are “suffering”, want to return to their country and that yes, they are prepared to pay for the COVID-19 test in order to begin that journey home.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The
development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.
Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.
Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.
Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.
Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.
The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.
Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of
IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”
He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”
Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion
Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.
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