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TCI adds COVID-19 Testing Sites to Accommodate New International Travel Requirements

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GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands (January 26, 2021) – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) is pleased to announce that the destination has increased its COVID-19 testing facilities in response to entry requirement for the United States of America, United Kingdom and Canada.   

As per, the CDC’s updated requirements, which go into effect today, January 26, 2021: all air passengers arriving to the United States from a foreign country must test no more than 72 hours prior to entry to the United States and present negative results prior to boarding their flights.  All travelers now have the option of getting tested at various approved locations on Providenciales and South Caicos with further testing sites on Grand Turk coming on stream.  

For Turks and Caicos Islanders traveling to the US, please note that a test will be required for all travel, regardless of length of stay in the US.  

During the past weeks following the announcement of these requirements, HE Governor and the Hon.  Premier called for the formation of a task force to proactively find solutions to address the possible fall out from these requirements. At that time the TCI did not have the capacity to conduct more than a few hundred PCR tests on island. This presented a risk to the tourism industry. Key partners of the Health and Tourism Industries began work in earnest.  

To meet these requirements TCIG/MOH authorized the use of self-administered lateral flow devices (LFDs) for the purpose of pre-departure Antigen testing for international travelers (for Visitors and Residents of the TCI).  

The institution of the new testing sites was made possible by the collaborative work of representatives from the Ministry of Health, Private health facilities and labs, TCHTA, Public Health England, Ministry of Tourism, Tourist Board and other key stakeholders.  

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands has worked closely with its valued private sector partners to ensure that the destination has well above the capacity to meet the current testing load for visitors and residents alike. The following centers are open and approved to provide travel-related testing and are now accepting appointments. 

Amanyara (Providenciales), 1-649-941-8133  

Associated Medical Practices (Providenciales), 1-649-946-4242 

Beaches Resort (Providenciales), 1-888-BEACHES 

Carolina Medical Clinic (Providenciales), 1-649-9464367  

COMO Parrot Cay (Parrot Cay), 1-649-339-7788 

FamilyCare Medical Services Ltd (Providenciales), 1-649-431-3262 

Flamingo Pharmacy (Providenciales), 1-649-941-4527; Offering Services Starting February 1st 

Grace Bay Club (Providenciales), 1-649-946-5050 

Grace Bay Medical Centre (Providenciales), 1-649-9415252 

OMNICARE (Providenciales), 1-649-9415050 

Sail Rock Resort (South Caicos), 1-649-946-3777 

Seven Stars Resort (Providenciales), 1-649-333-7714 

Visitors not staying at accommodations listed are free to contact any of aforementioned sites for testing appointments.  

The Ministry of Health in collaboration with key partners will continue to work with interested agencies for the establishment of testing sites on all islands. Agencies interested in becoming testing sites are kindly asked to contact the Ministry of Health for further information.  

Additional information testing sites and requirements, will be uploaded on the following sites:  

Ministry of Health Coronavirus –  www.gov.tc/moh/coronavirus 

Turks and Caicos Tourist Board –  www.turksandcaicostourism.com 

TCI Assured –  travelauthorisation.turksandcaicostourism.com/public

Bahamas News

RBC appoints new Country Manager and Area Vice President for Turks & Caicos 

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RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited (“RBC”) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Kerryl-Lyn King-Henry as Country Manager and Area Vice President (“AVP”), Personal and Commercial Banking, Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

In her new role as Country Manager and AVP, King-Henry will take on full responsibility for the bank’s operations, strategy, and development in the TCI market, with a strong focus on solidifying partnerships with the Government, regulatory bodies, and the local community.

King-Henry brings to the role a dynamism influenced by nearly 25 years of industry experience. Prior to her new appointment, she served as AVP of Business Banking in Trinidad and Tobago. She has held progressively senior roles within both personal and commercial banking, as well as various functional units.

King-Henry holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, with a specialization in Leadership, FinTech and Big Data Analysis, in addition to a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Further enriching her professional profile, Kerryl-Lyn is a certified John C. Maxwell Coach, Trainer, Teacher, and Speaker. Her passion for leadership and development is matched by her commitment to community service, as she actively volunteers her time and leverages her professional expertise to mentor and support others. “

Kerryl-Lyn’s extensive experience and proven leadership capabilities make her the perfect choice to lead our operations in the Turks & Caicos Islands,” said Ericka Rolle, RBC’s Managing Director and Vice President, Personal Banking, The Bahamas and TCI.

“Her commitment to excellence, combined with a genuine passion for community engagement, aligns perfectly with our Bank’s purpose of helping clients thrive and communities prosper. We are excited to see the positive impact she will undoubtedly bring to her new role,” she added.

 

 

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Government

MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DELEGATION VISITS WEST MIDLANDS AMBULANCE SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM, UK

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Providenciales, Tuesday 30 April, 2024 – A delegation from the Ministry of Health and Human Services, recently undertook a pivotal visit to the West Midlands Ambulance Service in Birmingham, United Kingdom. The visit, which took place from April 21st to April 23rd, 2024, was held under the esteemed patronage of the Ambassador of Health of the British Overseas Territories, Professor Ian Cumming.

Led by Permanent Secretary Mrs. Desiree Lewis OBE, the delegation included Ms. Renessa Williams, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Human Services, and Mr. Andy Brijmohansingh, Director of Emergency Medical Services. This strategic meeting was an integral part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to enhance emergency services within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

During the visit, representatives from the West Midlands Ambulance Service provided comprehensive insights into their operations, sharing valuable expertise and offering collaborative initiatives for the development of the TCIs emergency services. Discussions encompassed various aspects, including training and mentoring programs tailored to empower emergency personnel within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“The visit marked a significant step forward in our strategy for the advancement of emergency services,” stated Mrs. Desiree Lewis OBE. “We are deeply grateful for the generosity and support extended by the West Midlands Ambulance Service, and we look forward to implementing the insights gained to further enhance emergency care within our country. Permanent Secretary Lewis also expressed the Ministry of Health’s gratitude to Professor Ian Cumming for his assistance by way of arranging the visit.”

Mr. Andy Brijmohansingh, Director of Emergency Medical Services for the Turks and Caicos Islands, underscored the importance of the discussions, emphasizing the poignant exchange of ideas and the potential for meaningful collaborations which signifies a commitment to improving emergency services and ensuring the safety and well-being of the residents of the Turks & Caicos Islands.

The Ministry of Health and Human Services expresses its sincere appreciation to the West Midlands Ambulance Service for their warm hospitality and invaluable contributions during the visit.

For additional information, please visit the Turks and Caicos Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.

 

 

 

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TCI Court

Eight Months facing Police Accusations and Court, now Pedro Grant Exonerated

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Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

With no evidence to support their claim, the prosecution has dropped their case against Pedro Jose Alfredo Grant Gallon, the Dominican Republic citizen who was accused of impersonating an officer in September 2023.

The Police, who publicized the arrest and charge, have not yet commented on the matter despite Magnetic Media queries.

Grant, for his part, has always vehemently denied the accusations that he was impersonating an officer and described the circumstances surrounding his arrest as unfair.

He contends that on the evening of July 13, 2023, he was being followed by a strange driver, concerned, he waited until the man pulled off at a bar, then took his license plate number and called the police, but police never came to help Grant. He alleges that the next time he saw them, they came with handcuffs to arrest him. In a search, police found his IDs which included his documentation for humanitarian work with the International Diplomatic Alliance (IDA) and police lights attached to his vehicle. In explaining the possession of those lights, Grant said he told officers that they had been in his car from his time in the Dominican Republic where he was involved in law enforcement.

Since that time, Grant has maintained several facts:

  • The Police did not have a warrant to search his home and car;
  • The Police took his documents including passports and IDs, one of which was issued by the IDA, and to date have not returned them despite being court-ordered to do so;
  • The Police intimidated his wife with threats of deportation;
  • He never showed any ID, flashing lights at the man following him, or claimed to be an officer.

Police have steadfastly refused to comment on the case despite numerous queries into the bizarre circumstances, even with serious allegations like intimidation against them. Grant was officially charged with Impersonating an Officer in September but IDA Head Jerrod Crockett told Magnetic Media despite seizing documents from Grant to support their case, no one even called the organization to see if they were real or fake.

Now, when called to provide evidence to the court as to why they arrested and charged the resident, the police and DPPs office drew a complete blank as Wilkie Arthur, Magnetic Media Court Correspondent, confirmed it was a lack of evidence that got the case dropped.

Despite this win serious damage has been done Grant claims, describing his life as a ‘living hell’ and ‘miserable’ since the accusations were publicized.

The IDA says it has been affected as well.

“That really put a hurt on us for the last six to eight months now because of accusations of fraudulent documents that everybody else has seen. We’re trying to prove our legitimacy now because you guys can’t verify any documents— before you put everything out there as public information,” Crockett said of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF)

The president also told our news team they had lost thousands of dollars in funding.

Following the closure of the case we reached out again to police to find out on what grounds Grant had been arrested and charged but no response was issued.

 

 

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