Health
NO MORE PORTAL, NO MORE MASKS, NO MORE TESTS
By Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
#TurksandCaicos, April 26, 2022 – Well over half a million travel entry approvals have been processed by the TCI Travel Assured portal which will in four days become a relic; put into retirement as the Turks and Caicos Islands demonstrates it is confident the worst of the Coronavirus Pandemic is behind us.
Also gone: mandatory mask wearing and mandatory testing in order to enter the Turks and Caicos Islands for everyone.
The announcement came on Monday April 25, 2022. There were no new raft of rules unveiled to manage the virus, there were only rollbacks of restrictions and the beginning of COVID Normal for the TCI, which is a leading tourism destination and a UK overseas territory.
“…as of April 18th, 2022 the Turks and Caicos Islands have again lowered it’s CDC Health threat listing to now a level 2. I again thank all the Health Professionals, Frontline workers, the various associations, and you the general public for your role in helping us continue to manage this now over 2 year old Covid-19 Pandemic,” said Jamell Robinson, Minister of Health & Human Services.
Added to the improved health and safety rating by the CDC, the Turks and Caicos Minister in his Monday National Health Update had significant reveals and changes to the Covid 19 Public and Environmental Health protocols.
The rules were approved by Members of the Turks and Caicos Cabinet.
“Approved for a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to be administered for all adults, prioritizing those aged 60 and over and high-risk immunosuppressed individuals in the first instance,” said Robinson, who added, “Members also agreed to remove the requirement for visitors to have a negative Covid test and insurance. As such, the requirement for all passengers to register their details on the TCI Assured portal is discontinued with effect of 1 May 2022.”
The change which takes effect as of Sunday, also puts the TCI Travel Assured Portal, which was established ahead of a July 2020 reopening of the borders to tourism after the threat of the coronavirus, into retirement.
Now, in order to enter the Turks and Caicos, there will be no need to apply and gain approval through the portal. Just like in the old days, which was about two years ago, one just needs to buy a ticket and show up at the airline check in counter.
Visitors, however , will still need to be fully vaccinated in order to enter the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Once Covid-19 tanked global travel, countries responded with a pre-approval in order to visit the respective countries. For the Turks and Caicos Islands, an approval was hinged on a valid test, vaccination card and insurance coverage. It was painstakingly managed by human power under the remit of the TCI Ministry of Tourism. The most recent COVID-19 Dashboard for TCI exposes that at the very least, some 478,593 guest travellers passed through the portal process.
The figure above is only part of the picture. It does not include travelling residents and does not reflect guests who would have visited the territory prior to January 2021 rules when travellers were expected to test negative for COVID for entry and exit.
Masks in Turks and Caicos were already discontinued for outdoor activities; now the government has stepped back from legalizing the donning of face coverings.
“Approved amendments to the Public and Environmental Health Covid-19 Regulations removing the mandatory requirement for face masks to be worn indoors and in enclosed spaces with effect of 1 May 2022,” informed Minister Robison.
Masks are now optional.
Returning residents who are fully vaccinated never had to provide a negative test for COVID; now returning residents who are unvaccinated are exempt from testing also.
Minister Robinson informed, “Visitors must present proof of vaccination and returning residents must present proof of (TCI) residency.”
The significant changes which render null and void the need for a 3-day old PCR test, an antigen test or the wait and hope to get the TCI Travel Assured Portal approval ahead of flights, makes Turks and Caicos a far more attractive and affordable vacation option as the cost to visit and hassle to get in are now gone.
Health
Successful Community Kidney Screening Events Hosted by InterHealth Canada – TCI Hospital and Ministry of Health and Human Services in Grand Turk and Salt Cay
(Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, April 19th, 2024): – InterHealth Canada Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Human Services, is delighted to announce the successful completion of the Community Kidney Screening Events held in Grand Turk and Salt Cay. These events marked a significant milestone in promoting kidney health awareness and early detection.
On April 12, 2024, on Grand Turk (Dillon Hall) and April 13, 2024, on Salt Cay (Ministry of Health Clinic), participants had the opportunity to receive immediate screening results and personalized guidance from dedicated healthcare professionals. The collaborative effort between InterHealth Canada-Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital and the Ministry of Health and Human Services empowered individuals to prioritize their kidney health and take proactive steps towards well-being.
Reflecting on the event’s success, Dr Denise Braithwaite-Tennant, CEO of InterHealth Canada Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital, shared, “We are happy to see the positive impact of the Community Kidney Screening Events in Grand Turk and Salt Cay. By providing accessible screenings and expert guidance by our clinical teams, including our nephrologist and internist, we equip individuals with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their kidney health.”
Similarly, Dr Camelia Clarke, Director of the Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit of the Ministry of Health and Human Services, expressed her satisfaction with the outcomes, stating, “These events have showcased the importance of early detection and preventive care in maintaining optimal kidney health.”
The support of sponsors, including the TCI Boating Club, Air and Sea Agency, The Olympic Group Limited, Flow and Digicel, played a crucial role in the success of the Community Kidney Screening Events.
InterHealth-Canada Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital and the Ministry of Health and Human Services are excited to announce that a series of Kidney Community Screenings with dates for Providenciales, North and Middle Caicos, and South Caicos will be revealed soon, further extending the impact of this important initiative.
The Community Kidney Screening Events in Grand Turk and Salt Cay have set a solid foundation for ongoing efforts to prioritize kidney health and well-being within the community. Together, we are taking proactive steps towards building a healthier future for all.
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI, APRIL 30, 2024: Provo Water Company (PWC) has made significant progress in addressing recent water supply issues caused by increased water demand on Providenciales, and while ongoing projects aimed at long-term solutions are proceeding as planned, nightly water restrictions will continue through May.
This news comes as an update on the organization’s swift response to the rising water demand, which prompted the initial implementation of nightly restrictions to safeguard daily water reserves. The company is actively pursuing multiple projects, including upgrades to the city water transmission main, the main city water line valves, and the Middle Booster Pump Station,
alongside various other initiatives, to ensure long-term solutions to the supply issues.
Provo Water Company reaffirms its dedication to the residents of Turks and Caicos by continuing with a range of improvement projects aimed at innovative solutions for short and long-term distribution challenges. While diligently advancing these initiatives, the organization has determined that the nightly water restrictions remain necessary to ensure the replenishment of
daily reserves as it strives to keep these projects on track.
These restrictions will be implemented on an as-needed basis to effectively manage water consumption efficiently. If deemed necessary, the restrictions will be in effect from 11:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., optimizing conservation efforts during off-peak hours.
In response to the extension, Managing Director Robert Hall expressed apologies to customers and stakeholders in light of the extension. He reiterates his organization’s dedicated efforts to minimize the frequency of water restrictions and their eventual elimination in response to the extension.
In a statement, Hall said, “We will implement these measures only as required throughout the month of May to efficiently regulate water usage. We recognize the impact of these restrictions, and we want to assure you that we are doing our utmost to minimize inconvenience and ensure that your needs are our top priority.”
The transmission main project, which will enhance various aspects of the existing water supply network, ultimately improving water distribution across the island, is currently scheduled to be completed by mid-June 2024.
Hall concluded, “This project is pivotal in strengthening our water distribution infrastructure, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring a reliable water supply for our community. By actively working towards its completion, we remain dedicated to serving our customers with the utmost excellence, reliability, and efficiency.”
Learn more about Provo Water Company’s water efficiency and conservation initiatives by visiting www.provowater.com. Follow on social media for tips and announcements: @ProvoWaterCompany on Facebook and @provowaterco on Instagram. For inquiries, please contact the customer service team at customerservice@provowater.com.
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