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NEWS
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
May 30 - June 5, 2020
Borders will reopen to visitors on July 22 BY DELANA ISLES THE TURKS and Caicos Islands will reopen its regional and international borders on July 22, allowing the tourist industry to reboot and begin to cater to pandemic era visitors. Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson made the announcement in her national address on Friday morning (May 29) at a meeting of the House of Assembly. During her speech, she said that the territory will move into phase two on June 5, and added that the local economy will completely reopen on July 6. The premier laid a slew of very significant changes to the TCI’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, while hailing the many advances made over the past two months. She said that on June 1, the territory will see the extension of the night time curfew of 10pm to 5am until June 22. JUNE 5 The TCI will move on to phase two A of the reopening on June 5. Included in this phase is the extension of retail businesses that can open, with them strictly adhering to health protocols. Church services, weddings, funerals, burial grounds and social
gatherings will remain at only 10 attendees. Outdoor and drive-in options are encouraged, while ensuring that social distancing and face coverings are adhered to. Also allowed during this phase
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
are real estate property showings, non-contact sports, personal fitness training, operation of licensed day care centres and child care, barber shops and hair salons. Sunday business closures remain in place, however recreational activities will be permitted on this day. Visitations to Her Majesty’s Prison, the detention centre, children’s homes and wellness centres should remain restricted unless deemed absolutely necessary and any visitations should be undertaken with extreme caution. JUNE 22 Phase two B entails essential travel being allowed for residents ordinarily residing in the family islands outside of Providenciales with proper health protocols. Church services, weddings, funerals, burials grounds and social gatherings will be increased to 25 attendees, with outdoor and drive in options still encouraged. The extension of emergency powers and curfew will expire at 5am. There will be a continued phased reopening of the civil service to be managed by the deputy governor, as well as a continued phased reopening of statutory bodies managed by their respective boards and management teams. Sunday business closures remain in place with the allowance of
recreational activities. Restrictions remain in place for visits to the prison, children homes and the detention centre. JULY 6 Phase three will be the full reopening of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ economy with all businesses and activities adhering to the established protocols. This entails the opening of hotels, churches, sporting events and contact sports, dine-in restaurants, casinos, bars, discos, spas, fitness centres and domestic travel. Visitation to Her Majesty’s Prison, detention centre, wellness homes and children home are still restricted at this phase unless deemed necessary. JULY 22 Phase four will see the reopening of regional and international borders. Restrictions on visitation to Her Majesty’s Prison, detention centre, wellness homes and children home will remain in place until December 2020. This restriction will be kept under review by the Ministry of Health, but the premier said these measures will be required for the foreseeable future and will become the new normal. “Enforcement of these measures will require enforcement by the Environmental Health Department, along with relevant powers to do so under the Public and Environmental Ordinance,” she added.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS The premier said assessments will be carried out at the end of each phase in order to determine if safe and adequate measures are in place before consideration or recommendation for the territory to move to the next phase. “We reserve the right to roll us back if there are indicators saying that it should be, guided by [Ministry of] Health’s advice.” Mandatory wearing of masks and face coverings remains in place, and employees should work remotely from home where possible. This is to remain in place until the last phase. All businesses should close by 8pm. The cruise port will remain closed until August 31 and its reopening remains subject to guidance from the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and the Ministry of Health. Shelter in place is encouraged, and duty to provide information remains in place. Alcohol is still not allowed on the beach and restrictions of 10 people remain in place. Schools across the Turks and Caicos Islands will remain closed until June 26, and will break for the summer holidays on this date. Meanwhile, the premier updated that in-country testing has started, and that expected Cuban medical personnel will arrive in the territory in the next two weeks. Critical upgrades to the hospitals will commence next week.
