More Than 65% of the Local Adult Population is Vaccinated, Making the
Turks and Caicos Islands One of the Most Inoculated Countries in the World
PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS (June 11, 2021) – The Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist
Board, the exclusive tourism authority for the Turks and Caicos Islands, announced that the
destination has received an Alert Level 1 from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The new
travel health notice represents a major milestone in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ vaccine
campaign, which began in January 2021 and has resulted in more than 65 percent of the adult
population receiving at least one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine–—making it one of the
most inoculated countries in the world.
The country’s strong vaccination rate combined with the success of its safety protocols has
curbed the spread of COVID-19 and allowed for continuous safe travel to the Turks and Caicos
Islands. The destination has enjoyed strong occupancy rates over the past few months,
including an average of over 70 percent capacity for April 2021.
“We are very proud that the majority of our adult population is vaccinated, helping us to keep
the curve flat and earn an Alert Level 1 from the CDC for safe travel to the Turks and Caicos
Islands,” said Hon. Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism. “We are grateful to our valued
tourism industry partners for supporting the Turks and Caicos Islands’ efforts by initiating
property-specific campaigns, and to the community for their vigilance in getting vaccinated and
adhering to protocols. We still require international travelers to become certified by TCI
Assured, our quality assurance portal, before visiting the Islands to ensure everyone’s
wellbeing.”
News of the CDC’s Alert Level 1 arrives following the most recent reports by the Ministry of
Health and Human Services that a total of 65 percent of the adult population has received their
first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. Additionally, 55 percent of the adult
population is now fully vaccinated having received both vaccines.
These powerful statistics speak to the effectiveness of the vaccine campaign initiated by the
Turks and Caicos Islands Government, which has included billboards encouraging vaccinations
across the islands; incentives allowing businesses with fully vaccinated staff to operate at higher
capacities; and initiatives by valued hotel, restaurant, and tour operator partners urging their
associates to get vaccinated, inclusive of regular giveaways, to help protect themselves and
others. Additionally, the Turks and Caicos Islands have consistently upheld its safety protocols
at an internationally accepted standard.
In addition to its Level 1 Alert, the Turks and Caicos Islands received the Safe Travels Stamp
from the World Travel Council, which denotes that its existing safety protocols align with the
core requirements established by the WTTC, along with governments and health experts, which
are designed to standardize safe travel. These include, but are not limited to, urging proper
physical distancing, enforcing capacity limits, requiring masks in public places, and ensuring
proper hand washing techniques and sanitation, among other core ‘Safe Travels’ requirements.
The Turks and Caicos Islands has remained vigilant and consistent regarding its international
traveler requirements, which are the same for vaccinated and non-vaccinated travelers. The
country’s TCI Assured, a quality assurance portal on the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board
website, provides a travel authorization only after visitors have provided proof of negative
COVID-19 PCR test results from an accredited healthcare facility within five days prior to their
arrival to the destination, proof of medical insurance that covers COVID-19 medical related
costs and a completed health screening questionnaire. A 14-day quarantine period is not
required for visitors once they have tested negative for the virus.
Upon arrival to the airport, visitors can expect to present a copy of their TCI Assured
certifications to local authorities, all of whom wear personal protective equipment, before
proceeding through immigration where temperature checks for each traveler will also occur.
Upon departure, most travelers are now required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test
to be able to return to their country of origin; many hotels across the Islands now have on-site
testing sites, allowing for an easy and seamless experience.
The Turks and Caicos Islands—home to the “World’s Best Beach”—is a coveted five-star luxury
vacation destination for leisure, business, and notable guests from around the globe. With nine
main islands and about 40 small islands and uninhabited cays, the destination is inherently safe
for travel in this new paradigm of physical distancing, given its expansiveness, stunning outdoor
environment, privacy, spacious resort accommodations, and unique portfolio of extraordinary
private villas and private islands vacations. An extensive list of COVID-19 testing facilities across
all Sister Islands can be found on the Tourist Board’s official
website www.turksandcaicostourism.com.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board encourages travelers to consider the CDC’s Travel
Health Notices and the WTTC’s Safe Travels vacation destinations for 2020 and 2021. The
Islands’ award-winning hotels and resorts, private villas, restaurants and bars, and tour
operators are open and / or are accepting bookings.