Cabinet meeting summary

WAIVER of NHIB late fees, expansion of the Covid-19 testing strategy and financial help for students on grant scholarships were all discussed at the latest meeting of the Cabinet.

Governor Nigel Dakin chaired the 21st meeting of the year on Thursday, June 11, by videoconference. All ministers were present.

At this meeting Cabinet:

-Were updated on Covid-19 related activities being carried out by the Ministries of Health and Tourism including infrastructure upgrades in hospitals, a national testing strategy, policy for visitors and returning residents, increases in hospital staff, ongoing domestic engagement with the hotel and tourism sector, engagement with governments and organisations in the region and the provision of public advice (protocols).

-Noted the Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) assessment for the period 2016 to 2019, and agreed on an action plan prior to publication.

-Approved a request from the NHIB to waive late fees/penalties for contributors for the months of March and April, which were due payable on April 14 and May 14.

-Noted a paper setting out proposed National Culture and Heritage Policy and a Strategic Implementation Plan for the Turks and Caicos Islands for the period 2020-2029.

-Approved an extension of waivers on import duties and customs processing fees as agreed under the Customs (Covid-19) (Duty Exemption) Order 2020 and the Emergency Powers (Covid-19) (Waiver of Customs Processing Fee) Regulations 2020 from June 1 to 30 for essential food items and June 1 to July 31 for sanitary items (face mask, hand sanitiser etc).

-Noted and discussed next steps on an expanded testing strategy for Covid-19 to include symptomatic persons in the community or in healthcare facilities, healthcare workers at risk, contacts of a confirmed case, persons in congregated living settings (HMP, detention centre and wellness centres), persons going overseas as a part of the Treatment Abroad Programme and frontline workers.

-Approved the extending of the transitional provision for practitioners under the Health Professions Ordinance 2016 with effect of June 10.

-Approved amendments to Emergency Powers (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 2020 to permit travel for the purposes of domestic construction and external visitors responding to essential work in response to the current pandemic.

-Approved regulations under the Prison and Firearms Ordinances to allow trained prison and police officers to use pepper spray, mace and Tasers in the course of their duty.

-Were updated on the recruitment and imminent arrival of health workers from Cuba in support of the Covid-19 pandemic.

-Approved financial assistance for students on grant scholarships returning to TCI form the UK and expressed their gratitude for those within the Government responsible for the return of 114 TCI residents.

-Were updated on plans by international airlines to resume flights to the TCI as of July 22.

-Were updated on the recruitment of five permanent TCI Regiment staff.