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NEWS
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
June 13-19, 2020
Electricity bills to drop by 25% Fuel factor forecast to decrease significantly over the coming months STARTING this month, FortisTCI customers can expect “significant reductions” in their energy bills compared to earlier this year thanks to a declining fuel factor. The power company has predicted a sharp dip over the next several months resulting in a 23 to 27 percent drop in power costs for residents and 20 percent decrease for businesses. Medium hotels and supermarkets will see an estimated 23 percent reduction, and large hotels a 26 percent saving on their electricity bills when compared to January. FortisTCI president and CEO Eddinton Powell said: “The company has closely monitored the decline in global fuel prices and is glad to see the reduction in cost from our fuel supplier that can now be passed on to our customers. “The reduction in the cost of energy and the fuel factor
In October, it is projected customers will see a reduction in the fuel factor of up to 80 percent due to the drop in world market prices
will have a positive impact and provide further economic stimulus to our customers. “While this means a reduction in electricity bills, customers must continue to manage their electricity consumption,
especially as some continue to spend more time at home due to the pandemic, and as we enter the warmer summer months.” The fuel factor is likely to drop 52 percent in July, 68 percent in August and 73 percent in
September, while in October customers are likely to see an 80 percent decline over January. The decline in energy costs comes as a result of the near historic drop in world market fuel prices this past March and
April, a company statement on Thursday (June 11) explained. “While the fuel supply chain presents a lag in effective prices, FortisTCI passes these reductions to customers as quickly as possible.” The information provided is a projection and fuel prices may differ at the time of purchase as global crude and diesel commodity markets remain very volatile, the company added. FortisTCI offered TCI customers a 30-day pause on disconnection and a 60-day pause on penalties to ease their financial burdens during lockdown. However, the relief came to an end on May 31, when the company told customers to pay up or face late fees. In February, the Government approved the power giant’s request for an increase in rates of 6.8, however, the company agreed to delay its introduction until June 30.
Don’t use gloves, advises health ministry Published by Turks & Caicos News Company Ltd. Cheshire House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales P.O. Box 52, Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI W. Blythe Duncanson - Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Olivia Rose - Senior Reporter Faizool Deo - Sports Editor (At Large) Cord Garrido-Lowe - Graphics Consultant (At Large) Dilletha Lightbourne-Williams - Office Manager Email: (Advertising) tcnews@tciway.tc, (News) tcweeklynews@gmail.com Tel. 649-946-4664 (office), 649-232-3508 (after hours) Website address: www.tcweeklynews.com Follow us on: Facebook: facebook.com/tcweeklynews Twitter: twitter.com/tcweeklynews1
INCORRECT public use of gloves may give a “false sense of security” and could lead to the transmission of germs including the Covid-19 virus, the Ministry of Health said this week. Prolonged use and unintentional touching of the face, eyes or a cell phone could lead to contamination and transmission, the ministry added in a statement on Tuesday (June 9). Based on guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the Ministry of Health advised the public against their use. Meanwhile, businesses
which require employees and customers to use single-use gloves, should provide clear instructions for the use, removal and disposal of these gloves. Such instructions should be readily available and easily understood, the ministry advised. The need for the use of medical gloves by various categories of healthcare workers and people caring for ill relatives at home who have Covid-19 is well defined by the WHO. They reduce the risk of contamination of hands with blood and body fluids, and the risk of germ dissemination to the environment and transmission from the worker
to the patient. Gloves used while handling cases of Covid-19 at home should be placed in a bag and tied before disposal into the waste bin. To defend against contracting Covid-19, other members of the public should practice proper hand hygiene, maintain a two-metre social distance, avoid crowded spaces and wear a mask. For more information visit the Ministry of Health website www.gov.tc/moh/coronavirus or email covid19@gov.tc Call the hotlines on 2329444 and 333-0911 if you or someone you know has symptoms of Covid-19.
