News
TCI Government asked to Reconsider Vaxx Rule for Foreign Home Owners
#TurksandCaicos, November 24, 2021 – Foreign TCI homeowner should be made a category on the TCI Assured portal with the opportunity for those who fit the category to enter the Turks and Caicos Islands without being vaccinated, abiding by the same rules as an unvaccinated resident of the country; it is a position now put out to the public by Dameko Dean.
Mr. Dean is speaking in defence of at least one family which is cut off from their investment.
The shocking decision of the TCI Government to implement a vaccine mandate for all tourists to the country on September 1st did more than stop ‘unvaxxed’ guests from entering, it also stopped ‘unvaxxed’ foreigners who own homes in this British overseas territory. Dean is among those who feel the rule is insensitive.
“I think it’s unfair and inhumane to deny these foreign homeowners access to their homes after they have invested so heavily to our economy. Our government, he said, encouraged foreign investors to purchase homes here in TCI without providing any notice, prior to purchase, that their right to visit their new homes will be abruptly taken away.”
In a Letter to the Editor, Dean explained he knows of homeowners who continue to pay bills for their homes but are unable to have access to them because of their choice not to become vaccinated. He said while a tourist can choose anywhere in the world to visit, a foreign homeowner does not have that option.
The matter has not failed to capture the attention of the Minister with responsibility for Health and Human Services, Hon Jamell Robinson, who said a case has already been made for the small number of people who fit into this
category.
He told our media house that the government’s intention is not to bar people from coming to Turks and Caicos and that includes home owners, agreeing that the request for a different rule for foreign home owners in is not unreasonable.
One letter which has gone to the premier and the governor was shared with us. In it the husband and wife homeowners inform of their purchase of a Grace Bay located residence with a $1.3 million price tag in March this year. The couple also informs that they had initiated an application for Permanent Residency Certificate (PRC) status when a vaccine mandate forced a termination of their application.
The wife, now 25-years-old, shared that she has been a regular traveler to Turks and Caicos since she was a few months old; her parents are also homeowners and PRC holders in the country.
In her letter dated November 14, 2021 the homeowner describes the situation as having put her family in an “untenable position” because of their decision not to take the coronavirus vaccine.
She labelled the vaccine “experimental” and shared that she and her husband are healthy, had and caught and recovered from Covid-19 in February this year and now have natural immunity to the virus.
She reminded country leaders in the letter, that a stamp duty of $100,000 was paid for a home she now cannot visit and called the mandate instituted on September 1 unfair.
“There is nothing equitable about this decision,” she said, adding that the public literature on investing in the Turks and Caicos does not reflect the drastic change in entry requirements and she labelled it a breach of the TCI Constitution.
“We as property owners are not visitors when we are in TCI, we are in our homes. It is more than a seven day package tour…I respectfully request that you reconsider the vaccine policy for property owners.
The request is being considered at the government level and requires cross department agreement and presentation to Cabinet for approval. A vote will determine if the rule will change.
The change, if any, will obviously not come in time for this family’s plan for a huge gathering in TCI for the Thanksgiving holidays, which the home owner informed (via her letter) is now happening in nearby Bahamas, where there is no such restriction.
Turks and Caicos, May 23, 2026 – Invest Turks and Caicos Islands took center stage at one of the region’s most influential hospitality
investment gatherings this spring, serving as a Platinum Sponsor at ALIS CALA 2026 in Coral Gables, Florida.
Held April 28 to 30 at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel, the conference brought together more than 600 tourism, hotel and investment leaders from over 35 countries focused on the future of hospitality investment in the Caribbean and Latin America.
ALIS CALA — short for the Americas Lodging Investment Summit Caribbean and Latin America — is widely regarded as the region’s premier deal-driven hospitality investment conference. The platform emerged from the merger of the long-running Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) and Hotel Opportunities Latin America (HOLA), creating what organizers describe as a high-level space where investors, developers, lenders, hotel brands and government leaders connect around major regional projects and opportunities.
The event is known for attracting senior decision-makers, with roughly one in three delegates holding titles such as Chairman, CEO, President, Owner or Principal.
Invest Turks and Caicos said its participation focused heavily on showcasing investment opportunities across the territory, particularly in the Family Islands.
CEO Angela Musgrove delivered a presentation highlighting development opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands to what the agency
described as a full room of attendees and strong stakeholder interest.
In a statement following the conference, Invest Turks and Caicos said discussions centered on tourism expansion, sustainable development and long-term investment partnerships designed to position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a leading investment destination in the region.
The agency added that it looks forward to continuing conversations started at ALIS CALA and building new partnerships with investors, developers and strategic stakeholders interested in growth opportunities throughout the islands.
The conference itself focused heavily on capital access, hotel development pipelines, mixed-use tourism projects and investment confidence throughout the Caribbean basin — sectors where Turks and Caicos continues to attract increasing international attention.
The Rick Fox Political Timeline
“Are You Thinking About Politics?”
Fox publicly acknowledged growing calls for him to enter Bahamian politics, saying he had been hearing from women, youth, business owners and everyday Bahamians who were “ready for something different.”
October 19, 2025
“Then Jump, Man.”
Fox revealed a conversation with NBA legend Michael Jordan, who encouraged him to enter politics after asking whether he believed he could help young Bahamians.
November 24, 2025
“The Bahamas Must Be First”
Fox officially announced his intention to run in the 2026 General Election, promising transparency, affordability, opportunity and a modern Bahamian economy.
February 4, 2026
“Officially Picked”
The Free National Movement formally ratified Fox as its candidate for Garden Hills, instantly making him one of the most talked-about figures in the election cycle.
March 20, 2026
“From Courtside to Campaign Stage”
Fox mounted the national campaign stage for the first time at the FNM’s major campaign launch at Baha Mar Resort in Nassau.
March 30, 2026
“I’m Giving The Salary Back”
Fox announced he would not take a parliamentary salary if elected, saying the funds should instead go back into helping the people of
Garden Hills.
April 14, 2026
“Nomination Eve Goes Viral”
A heated confrontation involving Fox and PLP supporters outside the Parliamentary Registration Department exploded across social media after video captured the tense exchange.
April 16, 2026
“Pick Rick” Officially Launches
Nomination Day cemented Fox’s candidacy and formally launched the now-famous “Pick Rick” campaign branding.
April 19, 2026
“Vote and Win”
Jamiah Burrows won a vehicle through Fox’s civic participation challenge, part of a campaign effort encouraging voter engagement and turnout.
April 20, 2026
“The Wealthiest Candidate”
Financial disclosures revealed Fox as the wealthiest candidate in the 2026 election cycle, with reported assets exceeding $469 million, ending speculation about his financial standing.
April 25, 2026
“The Garden Hills Blueprint”
Fox unveiled detailed policy graphics outlining plans for:
- youth development,
- healthcare access,
- infrastructure upgrades,
- environmental restoration,
- entrepreneurship,
- and a proposed $10 million investment fund for Garden Hills.
May 4, 2026
“The Numbers Don’t Lie”
Fox’s campaign highlighted more than:
- 20 community clean-ups,
- 16 streets and locations served,
- and 13 solar lights installed across Garden Hills during the campaign.
May 6, 2026
“Shaq Steps In”
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal publicly endorsed Fox, helping elevate international attention surrounding the campaign.
May 8, 2026
“Buju Backs Rick”
Jamaican reggae icon Buju Banton threw his support behind Fox ahead of Election Day.
May 10, 2026
“Vanessa Williams Endorses”
Fox’s former wife, actress and singer Vanessa Williams publicly endorsed his campaign.
May 11, 2026
“Magic Joins the Campaign”
NBA icon Magic Johnson became the latest major celebrity to endorse Fox just one day before Bahamians went to the polls.
May 12, 2026
“Election Day”
Fox contested the Garden Hills constituency seat against PLP incumbent Mario Bowleg in one of the country’s most closely watched races.
May 13, 2026
“Grace in Defeat”
Fox publicly conceded the race and congratulated Bowleg on his victory in Garden Hills.
May 18, 2026
“We Pick Rick”
Despite losing at the polls, Fox officially entered Parliament after being appointed to the Senate by the FNM — with the party itself declaring:
“We Pick Rick.”
The appointment made Fox one of the most internationally recognized figures ever to serve in the Bahamian Senate.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in coordination with the Planning Department and key partner agencies, conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in the Lower Bight area in Providenciales. The exercise resulted in the complete removal of a total of eight (8) unauthorized structures and all associated debris from a
privately-owned parcel of land.
The operation was led by the Planning Department, with coordination by the ISU and support from the TCI Border Force, the Crown Land Unit, and Pelican Energy. Security for the exercise was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. All agencies worked collaboratively to ensure the exercise was carried out in a safe, orderly, and controlled manner.
The enforcement action followed a structured and lawful process in accordance with the Physical Planning regulatory framework of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Section 45 Enforcement Notices were first issued on the affected parcel in December 2024, identifying unauthorized structures erected without the requisite approvals. This was followed by the issuance of Warning Notices on April 16, 2026, which advised occupants that they were in breach of planning and land use regulations and provided notice that demolition activities would proceed following the prescribed compliance period. Despite these notices and the time afforded for compliance, the unauthorized structures remained in place.
This exercise represents part of an ongoing commitment to ensuring that development within the Turks and Caicos Islands is lawful, safe, and aligned with national standards.
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