FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands (May 16th, 2022) – “The Turks and Caicos
Islands is one of the safest countries for travellers”, says Hon. Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism. “Travelers can take heart and be confident in their vacation plans, as they make the Turks and Caicos Islands their destination of choice to visit.”
Currently, more than 85 percent of the adult population are fully vaccinated – making the Turks and Caicos Islands one of the most inoculated countries in the world. The Turks and Caicos Islands Government has been very proactive with its COVID-19 vaccination programme, ensuring that persons take up the vaccine for the betterment of all.
The Ministry of Health and Human Service has announced a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and it is currently being administered to adults throughout the country, prioritising those aged 60 and older or who are immunocompromised.
Minister of Health and Human Services, Hon. Jamell Robinson, commented: “The COVID-19 pandemic was first and foremost a humanitarian crisis affecting people’s lives and livelihoods, but it also impacted our Islands further as tourism is an important part of our economy.”
The Honourable Minister went on to add: “My health team moved quickly to introduce measures aimed at containing the spread, while minimising as much as possible the impact on the tourism sector. We worked hard to restore traveller confidence and stimulate demand with new safe and clean labels for the health sector through information apps and continuous promotion campaigns.”
The ‘Beautiful by Nature’ British Caribbean isles commitment to the health and safety of its citizens, residents, and visitors has also resulted in it receiving an Alert Level 2 from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
“When our borders opened in July 2020, we have seen a steady increase in visitor arrivals. Last year, the destination performed tremendously well, showing that we were returning to pre-Covid numbers. And, as the tourism sector continues to rebound, the preliminary numbers has indicated that the Turks and Caicos is once again breaking visitor arrival records, with some 138,762 air arrivals and 173,151 cruise arrivals in the first quarter of 2022”, stated Hon. Connolly.
Last month, the Turks and Caicos Islands Government announced amendments to its Public and Environmental Health Arriving Passengers Travel Clearance Regulations, relaxing restrictions for vaccinated travelers to the destination. While all travelers over the age of 18 must still show proof of full vaccination to visit the Islands, they are no longer required to provide a negative COVID-19 test or proof of travel insurance to gain entry as of May 1st, 2022. Also, all visitors will no longer be required to upload their information to the TCI Assured Portal, as it was discontinued on Saturday, April 30, 2022. Moreover, face masks will no longer be required in indoors and enclosed spaces.
The Turks and Caicos Islands, the ideal vacation destination to get away from it all and recharge the batteries. Travelers are encouraged to embrace the island-hopping and outdoor adventures on land and on sea. Dine at a multitude of eateries from native cuisine to fine dining. Delve into the past to explore our heritage on guided walks or in our national museums and historical sites. Feel the sand between your toes as you walk along our coastline, whilst taking in the majestic beauty of our crystal-clear turquoise waters. Creating memories to last a lifetime will be your only pastime, in the Turks and Caicos.