TCI Assured
Frequently Asked Questions
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The TCI Assured Program is a Pre-Travel Authorization Program
The Turks and Caicos introduced new measures to manage the risks associated with the COVID 19 pandemic. From July 22nd 2020, all travelers to the Turks and Caicos Islands will be required to visit the TCI Assured Travel Authorization Portal in order to obtain a travel authorization for arrival in the Turks and Caicos Islands. This means all visitors/tourists and residents alike. The TCI Assured Travel Authorization Portal is available by clicking here
The portal has a link for visitors/tourists as well as residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The travel authorization form should be presented at the time of check-in to the appropriate airline.
Persons without an authorization slip either physical or e copy will not be able to travel to the islands.
Once a passenger registers at the Authorization Portal and completes the registration process as outlined, a travel authorization notification will be given. Airlines will not be able to board passengers without this authorization.
We look forward to welcoming you to our ‘Beautiful by Nature’ Turks and Caicos Islands.s
Pre-Arrival
As of Wednesday 28th July, 2021 the below is required to obtain pre-authorization certification:
- A negative COVID-19 test result from an accredited laboratory, taken no more than 3 days before your schedule date of arrival to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
- Medical/Travel insurance that covers COVID-19 medical costs, full hospitalization, doctors’ visits, prescriptions and air ambulance/medevac.
- Completed a health screening questionnaire and Travel Authorization Form.
- All persons should certify that they have read the privacy policy document.
Proof of all of the aforementioned should be uploaded to the TCI Assured portal which is available on https://travelauthorisation.turksandcaicostourism.com/public/
On the TCI Assured Portal a traveller may begin the application process 3 days prior to arrival in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Each applicant will be provided with a username and password to access the application so that it can be completed in multiple sessions. Once all of the required documents are uploaded, the application can be submitted for review. The information is then verified and a TCI Assured Travel Authorization sticker will be issued to the traveller.
The accepted test types are as follows:
- A Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction Test (RT-PCR)
- A Nucleic Acid Amplification test (NAA)
- An RNA or molecular test
- An Antigen test completed via nasopharyngeal swab
The official documentation of the laboratory that conducted the COVID-19 test should state:
- Name of individual tested (must be same on application and lab test result)
- Date of birth of individual tested (must be same on application and lab test result)
- Name and contact details of testing laboratory
- Indication of laboratory credentials (CLIA, ISO 15189)
- Date and time of sample collection
- Type of test
- Type of sample
- Test result
Note:
- Only results from oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal samples will be accepted for PCR tests
- Only results from nasopharyngeal samples will be accepted for Antigen tests
- Antibody tests will NOT be accepted
- Results from home-based test kits will NOT be accepted
The date of the sample collection must be within 3 days (72 hours) of the travel date, after the 3 day period the test will no longer be valid.
No, you must have a valid authorization to board.
The following persons are exempt:
- (a) a crew member of a cargo or commercial aircraft arriving in the Islands for the purposes of his work who is expected to be on the Islands for less than twenty-four hours;
- (b) a crew member of a cargo ship arriving in the Islands for the purposes of his work who is expected to be on the Islands for less than twenty-four hours;
- (c) children under the age of ten years;
- (d) an aircraft operating for the purpose of giving medical attention, delivering medical supplies to the Islands, or airlifting a patient to or from the Islands, which crew shall be taken to include any medical personnel on the flight;
- (e) a person offering to provide emergency aid in times of crisis;
- (f) a person who has written permission of the Chief Medical Officer to enter the islands; and
- (g) a person who disembarks from an aircraft at an airport, in-transit to or for purposes of connecting
Effective May 1st 2021 Returning Residents who are fully vaccinated, will not be required to upload a COVID 19 PCR negative test result to the TCI Assured Portal.
To benefit from this waiver of the protocol, returning residents will need to have:
- Taken the COVID 19 vaccination in the Turks and Caicos Islands
- Taken both shots of the vaccine (Fully vaccinated)
- Have taken the vaccine over two weeks prior to travel
- Have had their name on the TCI register of persons who were vaccinated in the TCI.
We recommend purchasing, or inquiring about the addition of with your existing insurance company, coverage to include COVID-19 medical costs, full hospitalization, doctors’ visits, prescriptions and air ambulance/medevac.
On-Arrival
All travelers will be subject to screening and temperature checks upon arrival which may result in further clinical examination.
Travelers will be required to answer questions about his health or other relevant circumstances (including travel history and information about other individuals with whom he may have had contact)
Produce copies of any documents that may assist a health officer or nurse in assessing his health.
Allow a health officer or nurse to take a biological sample including a sample of his respiratory secretions or blood,, by appropriate means including by swabbing his nasopharyngeal cavity or phlebotomy to provide such sample.
Provide sufficient information to enable the person to be contacted immediately by a health officer or nurse as specified in order to reduce or remove the risk of a person infecting or contaminating others.
Present hard copies of Insurance and COVID 19 negative test results.
Where a child and is accompanied by a responsible adult, the responsible adult will ensure that the child answers questions. If the child is unable to do so reliably the adult shall produce any documents that are required on behalf of the child and allow a health officer or nurse to take a biological sample of the child if necessary. This includes a sample of the child’s respiratory secretions or blood by any appropriate means such as swabbing the child’s nasopharyngeal cavity or phlebotomy to provide the required sample.
- Physical distancing of at least 6 feet must be maintained while in the airport and all travelers, except for children under the age of two years, must wear masks/face coverings. Departure Lounge seating is to be occupied, only as designated. All persons entering the Security Screening Area and airport restaurants must have their hands sanitized at the entrance.
In addition to sunscreen and flip flops, be sure to pack hand sanitizer and masks/face coverings which are required in public spaces.
- Wearing of mask or face covering in public.
- Hand sanitizing.
- Physical distancing of at least 6 feet, unless part of a group or family, travelling together.
- Take only public transportation that displays the TCI Assured symbol, including car rental companies.
- Stay only at paid accommodations, including hotels, villas, guesthouses etc. that display the TCI Assured symbol.
The Turks and Caicos Islands has two hospitals – The Cheshire Hall Medical Centre in Providenciales and the Cockburn Town Medical Centre in Grand Turk. For more information please visit www.tcihospital.tc/.
Please contact your accommodation health provider in the first instance. The Ministry of Health COVID-19 hotline at 649-232-9444 or 649-333-0911 can be used for further information.
- You should only dine at restaurants that display the TCI Assured Certification seal which symbolizes compliance with all COVID-19 Health Protocols.
- You may remove your mask/face covering once you are seated.
- Large groups (6 and above) must make reservations in advance.
- Observe place markers on the floor to maintain 6ft physical distancing
- Sanitize or wash your hands upon entrance to the restaurant
Yes. As of July 20, 2020, travel to all Sister Islands will be unrestricted, and islands can be accessed via ferry or airplane for day trips or dual vacation.
The Turks and Caicos Islands does not have any countries barred from entry.
All persons must travel with their hard copies of their COVID 19 negative tests and proof of insurance.
Departure
Please visit the following link to view the list of centers that are open and approved to provide travel-related testing and are now accepting appointments: https://turksandcaicostourism.com/turks-and-caicos-covid-19-testing/.
Residents
Yes, residents will be required to obtain the TCI Assured travel authorization through the portal which is available at the following link – https://travelauthorisation.turksandcaicostourism.com/public/.
Residents will be required to submit the following:
- Completed a health screening questionnaire and Travel Authorization Form
- All persons should certify that they have read the privacy policy document
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination taken within the Turks and Caicos Islands (both shots of the vaccine must have been taken over two weeks prior to travel)
- Residents who are unvaccinated must upload a negative COVID-19 test result from an accredited laboratory taken no more than 3 days before your schedule date of arrival to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Effective May 1st 2021 Returning Residents who are fully vaccinated, will not be required to upload a COVID 19 PCR negative test result to the TCI Assured Portal.
To benefit from this waiver of the protocol, returning residents will need to have:
- Taken the COVID 19 vaccination in the Turks and Caicos Islands
- Taken both shots of the vaccine (Fully vaccinated)
- Have taken the vaccine over two weeks prior to travel
- Have had their name on the TCI register of persons who were vaccinated in the TCI.
You do not qualify for a waiver if you were vaccinated outside of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
At this stage you will not need to upload a COVID19 PCR test result. If you were issued a vaccination number, you should type in your unique vaccination number provided on your vaccination card when prompted on the TCI Assured Portal.
If you were vaccinated but not in receipt of your unique vaccination number, type in your name and date of birth when prompted on the TCI Assured Portal.
All persons are required to apply to the TCI Assured Portal for approval to enter the Turks and Caicos Islands. You CANNOT enter the Turks and Caicos Islands without a TCI Assured Certificate.
All other protocols remain and continue to be observed.
Upon arrival at the airport, residents can expect to present their valid passport, a copy of their TCI Assured Travel Authorization (printed or electronic) and the original copy of the negative PCR COVID-19 test result to a health officer and an immigration officer at the port of entry. Residents will also be required to complete and submit to a health officer at the port of entry, a health screening questionnaire for COVID-19. All government personnel will be wearing personal protective equipment. All residents must wear masks/face coverings on arrival and observe the protocol of the particular airlines.
A person suspected of having been exposed to, or having symptoms of, or tested positive for COVID-19 shall be placed under quarantine in a specified place for a period of fourteen days or such longer period until that person is found to have a negative PCR COVID-19 result or unless approved for medical repatriation, and shall be monitored by a health officer for COVID-19 during such period.
Where a parent or responsible adult having charge of a child under the age of ten years is required to be placed under quarantine, the child shall also be required to be placed under quarantine together with the parent or responsible adult.
A resident who is made subject to quarantine or hospitalization shall bear the costs of all treatment received and the costs for accommodation and board.
Reference: Public and Environmental Health (COVID-19)(Arriving Passengers Health Clearance) Regulations 2020Protocols
The following Protocols are in effect until the 31st August, 2021
GENERAL:
- A mask/face covering is required to be worn at all times in public.
- Six feet social distancing is required in public spaces.
- In accordance with health protocols, temperature checks will be conducted on every person before boarding an aircraft or boat for interisland travel. Operators of private boats intended to travel interisland must notify and register with the DECR and comply with temperature screenings.
CURFEW:
- A curfew is imposed on all islands from 1:00am to 5:00am nightly. Essential workers are exempted and must carry ID.
BUSINESS RESTRICTIONS:
- All businesses must suspend their operations to the public at 12:00am nightly. Hotels may operate after 10:00am to accommodate checked-in guest only.
The number of customers permitted in any restaurant or bar must not exceed 70% of its occupant capacity. Bars/Night Clubs/Discotheques must not exceed 50% indoors and 70% percent outdoors of occupancy based on square footage. This number must be indicated at a signpost outside of the establishment. Customers are not to congregate around the bar or restaurant counters.
PUBLIC GATHERINGS:
- Public gatherings or social activity (whether public or private), including on public beaches shall be limited to 100 persons provided it is held outdoors. These gatherings/activities also requires a permit obtained from the Public and Environmental Health Department.
BOATING EXCURSIONS:
Boating excursions are permitted but shall not exceed 70% capacity, inclusive of the crew. Vessels with a capacity of 10 persons are permitted to have a maximum of 7 persons outside the same household. Boat parties are prohibited.
FUNERALS/WEDDINGS
The number of persons permitted at a funeral or wedding shall not exceed 70% capacity (indoors)
PLACES OF WORSHIP:
The number of persons permitted inside a place of worship at any given time should not exceed 70% of occupancy based on the square footage.
For more information visit https://www.gov.tc/moh/coronavirus/
TCI Assured Compliant
Look for this TCI Assured sign when you are in and around the Turks and Caicos. It is a sign that this business is COVID 19 compliant.
Residents Entry Requirements
Visitors Entry Requirements
Testing
