As the Turks and Caicos Islands and the world at large confront this COVID-19 pandemic, Cabinet has taken the difficult, yet necessary, steps to enact Emergency Powers which will result in the closure of our air and sea borders to the international traveling public for a period of 21 days as of 24^th March 2020. This course of action will no doubt have a tremendous impact on our tourism and hospitality sector, however, it is essential to reduce the risk and exposure of the virus and to protect our residents and visitors.

Many of you from around the world, have visited our islands, year after year and have become a part of our extended family. While we bid farewell for now, I encourage each of you not to cancel your vacation to the Turks and Caicos this year, but rather postpone it to a later date. The Turks and Caicos Islands has shown in the past that our people and our tourism sector are resilient. We will not lose our desire to host you in our beautiful country, and once the all clear is given, by local and authorities in your respective countries, we would like the pleasure of your company again. Following the passage of this pandemic, on your return to our islands, be assured of the continued delivery of the high quality of service, the Turks and Caicos has become synonymous with. On behalf of the people of the Turks & Caicos Islands, I would like to again thank you for your patronage over the years.

The Ministry of Tourism through the Tourist Board commits to keeping you advised of developments regarding COVID-19 and its impact on our destination. Since the beginning of the outbreak, our team has made efforts to directly engage key stakeholders to ensure that the flow of information between all parties including the traveling public, is thorough, accurate and timely.  We understand that as a result of the COVID-19 virus, many of you will no doubt be experiencing some difficulties and challenges, perhaps in an unprecedented way. We will continue to work in concert with the Ministry of Health, the lead agency tasked with monitoring the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) to provide you with the most up to date information, and we urge you to follow all protocols suggested by local authorities.

The Ministry of Tourism held a Stakeholders meeting with hoteliers, tour operators and public service drivers recently to address the anticipated fallout from COVID-19. At that meeting, the Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to do all that it can to protect this our country’s most vital industry. We will support all measures taken by the Government to secure the health and wellbeing of our people and visitors, and protect our country’s economy. However, do not expect business as usual. Our team will be reaching out to you over the next few days to gather the necessary data to assist the Government in exploring the best possible way to assist you as we navigate through this unprecedented pandemic. 

We support the nation-wide educational campaign underway by the Ministry of Health. We would like to urge you, residents and visitors to follow recommended hygiene practices which can be used to prevent the spread of the virus:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay home when you are sick and do not travel.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Staying home when you are sick is recommended every flu season, but especially important now.

For more information and continued updates on the COVID-19 virus in the TCI, contact the Ministry of Health via 649-338-0911 or 649-232-9444 and https://www.gov.tc/moh/coronovirus or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Ministry of Health would like to advise the public that as at 12pm on 24^th March, 2020:

The TCI had 9 suspected cases of COVID-19: Tourist visiting the country (1). The other eight suspected cases are TCI residents returning from countries with local transmission and contacts of a confirmed case (8). All 9 persons met the WHO case definition for a suspected case of COVID-19, thus they are experiencing symptoms. Samples have been collected and sent for testing.

The increase in suspected cases is due to a TCI resident returning from a country with local transmission. That resident met the case definition.

Persons under quarantine/observation (295)—The confirmed case (1), contacts of a confirmed case (3), possible contact of a confirmed case (21), the suspected cases (9), persons under investigation for having contact with persons travelling from highly affected countries (1), relatives/contacts of suspected cases (33), persons travelling from highly affected countries — UK, Austria & Spain (6), TCI residents (221). Persons under observation/quarantine are all not displaying symptoms or have not meet the case definition for COVID-19.

The increase in quarantine/observation numbers as compared to yesterday (23^rd March) was primarily as a result of TCI residents returning from countries with local transmission and persons in contact with or possibly in contact with confirmed case.

A total of twelve (12) test results have been received to date, with elven (11) confirmed negative and one (1) positive confirmation. Persons confirmed not to have COVID-19, and their contacts, have been moved from quarantined status and asked to continue following proper guidelines from the Ministry of Health. The confirmed case is in isolation and contact tracing is aggressively continuing.

Please note the following definitions:

• A suspected person is someone who meets the case definition as outlined by WHO and CARPHA - and is experiencing symptoms.
• A person in quarantine is an individual on island who has come from infected country(ies) or may have come in proximity to suspected or confirmed cases - and have not exhibited symptoms.

Let's continue to reduce the risk by:
1. Washing our hands for 20secs or more
2. Practicing social distancing
3. Prepare your home, office and other surroundings by following the advice of the Ministry of Health and other credible health agencies.

For more information, please visit the Ministry of Health website, www.gov.tc/moh/coronavirus; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; or call our hotline numbers, (649) 232-9444 and (649) 333-0911, if you or someone you know has symptoms or signs of COVID-19.

 JOINT PRESS RELEASE FROM TCI GOVERNMENT AND TCI HOSPITAL

(Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Monday 23 March, 2020):

The Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital received a public health notification that a temporary worker who visited the country on March 8th – 13th 2020 to facilitate mandatory training with a group of hospital employees tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after his return home to the United States.

The temporary worker is a 35-year-old American male and he is currently being isolated at home in the USA in stable condition. Whilst the male is classified as an overseas confirmed COVID-19 case, the decision was made to share the circumstances surrounding the case in the public’s interest. The training sessions with hospital employees were held on March 9th – 12th at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre.

The Turks and Caicos Islands and the primary U.S. state from which the temporary worker travelled and resided had no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the time of travel. In addition, there were no causes for concern identified during his screening upon entry to Providenciales and he was asymptomatic while on island. Investigations are ongoing to determine how and at what point in time the male may have contracted the virus.

Since becoming aware of the result and out of an abundance of caution, contact tracing was immediately activated by the TCI Government Ministry of Health Public Health Department in partnership with TCI Hospital and with guidance from Public Health England.

According to the U.S. Centres for Disease Control, people are thought to be most contagious when they are symptomatic. However, given the scientific speculation surrounding whether it might be possible for asymptomatic persons to spread the virus in small amounts, Providenciales-based hospital employees and other persons who were in contact with the affected male were placed under quarantine as a precaution pending test results from samples collected. These tests are being expedited and thus far two results have returned as negative.

Temporary and resident health care workers and patients returning to the Turks and Caicos Islands from overseas medical care facilities have been required to undergo a risk assessment process to prevent the risk and spread of COVID-19. Based on the risk level, this may include a requirement to quarantine as determined by TCIG MOHAHS Public Health Team.

The Ministry of Health and TCI Hospital continues to be engaged in dialogue throughout this public health challenge. The Ministry fully supports these prudent and necessary measures as we fight the risk and potential spread of COVID-19.

JOINT PRESS RELEASE FROM TCI GOVERNMENT AND TCI HOSPITAL

(Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Monday 23 March, 2020):

Effective March 24th 2020, the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital will activate an expandable pre-triage area near the entrance of each emergency department based on an Infection Prevention and Control risk assessment process.

All patients accessing the emergency department at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre and Cockburn Town Medical Centre are required to report to the external pre-triage area for screening and sorting based on their presenting complaints prior to entering the emergency department.

The priority of the emergency department is to ensure early detection of infectious patients who may be unknowingly transmitting COVID-19 and commence immediate source control prior to entering the facility thereby further reducing the risk of disease transmission within the department.

The objective of the department is also to provide immediate activation of the COVID-19 response team as needed, and a pre-identified space for isolation away from the department.

If you experience any symptoms of COVID-19 such a coughing, fever or shortness of breath, persons are advised to contact their family physicians and the Ministry of Health Hotlines via 649-333-0911 or 649-232-9444 immediately for guidance on the next steps.

It is crucial to call ahead as special precautionary preparations are required for the controlled transport and receipt of patients with symptoms similar to COVID- 19 for both ambulance and hospital-based response teams.

The Ministry of Health supports these prudent and necessary measures and wish to assure the public that the decision for the process being implemented is in the best interest of patient care.

The Ministry of Health will continue to work with TCI Hospital to ensure the best possible healthcare outcomes for all patients seeking care at this time as we fight to reduce the risk and potential spread of COVID-19.

JOINT PRESS RELEASE FROM TCI GOVERNMENT AND TCI HOSPITAL

(Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Monday 23 March, 2020):

Due to the detection of the first COVID-19 case within the Turks and Caicos islands, effective March 23, 2020 at 5:00 p.m., the public is hereby advised that as a proactive and precautionary measure, all non-essential services have been suspended at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre and Cockburn Town Medical Centre until further notice and only emergency operations will continue until such time.

These efforts seek to reduce non-essential patient traffic to the hospital to reduce the risk and spread of COVID-19, and divert health care workers to support emergency services.

Routine appointments will be rescheduled to a later date once normal operations resume. Patients with appointments for urgent surgical and specialty clinic referrals will be contacted and informed of the next steps based on clinical risk assessments.

The following emergency services will continue:

• Dialysis
• High risk and emergency surgeries
• High risk antenatal clinics
• Emergency department
• Active chemotherapy treatment
• Inpatient services
• Urgent and emergency diagnostic imaging

The main hospital entrance will be closed and only accessible to high risk groups such as dialysis, antenatal and chemotherapy patients with pre- booked appointments. All other patients and persons who require emergency services are required to be screened in a designated pre-triage area near the entrance to the emergency department to access the facility.

The Ministry of Health and TCI Hospital continues to be engaged in dialogue throughout this public health challenge. The Ministry fully supports these prudent and necessary measures. We wish to assure the public that the decision for the protocols being put in place were not taken lightly and is in the best interest of patient care.

The Ministry of Health will continue to work with TCI Hospital to ensure the best possible healthcare outcomes for all patients seeking care at this time as we fight the risk and potential spread of COVID-19.