Press Statement – March 24th, 2023 Honourable Shaun D. Malcolm, Minister of Health and Human Services

A pleasant good morning to my fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders, residents and visitors.

Over the past three years, the Turks and Caicos Islands, like other countries in the world faced unprecedented challenges as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.   During the earlier to mid stages of the pandemic, and as we approach what is being considered the tail end of the pandemic, the Turks and Caicos Islands faced the onslaught of individuals being infected with the disease, and the harsh reality of thirty-eight (38) Covid-19 related deaths.

The Turks and Caicos Islands not being unique to the effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic had to make difficult decisions to ensure the health and safety of the population, and at times visitors as well. 

As a country, we saw the introduction of various public health measures such as, social distancing, the wearing of masks, restrictions on social gatherings, border closure, and curfews just to list a few.

The Turks and Caicos Islands, I believe did exceptionally well.  Although a small nation, the country received enormous in-country support from the UK Government, assistance from CARPHA and PAHO, and we saw the onboarding of the Cuban Brigade to ensure that adequate healthcare staffing was provided to the hospital and the nation at large. 

At a time when the world felt that Covid-19 pandemic would dominate the very existence of the human race, the world saw the introduction of the Covid-19 vaccines.   Fortunately for the Turks and Caicos Islands, through the assistance of H.E the Governor and the UK Government, the TCI was one of the first islands in the Caribbean region to receive the vaccine.  With the introduction of the vaccine, this meant additional changes to existing regulations such as the arriving passengers’ regulations. 

Decisions were then taken to enhance the regulations by stating ALL visitors entering the Turks and Caicos Islands must be fully vaccinated with one of the approved vaccines published by the World Health Organization (WHO). 

Whilst the World Health Organization has not declassified Covid-19 from a pandemic status, like many other countries, the Turks and Caicos Islands is not being severely impacted by the disease.

Currently there are three (3) active cases in the country.  However, this is no indication that as a country and a people, we should become relaxed.  Covid-19 remains to be a threat albeit low, and we must still exercise caution.  If you are not vaccinated with the vaccine, please know the facts for yourself and become vaccinated – protect you and your loved one.  If you are vaccinated, increase your protection levels by taking the booster.

As a government, the Ministry of Health continues to monitor the impact of Covid-19 locally and globally.  Taking into consideration where we are as a nation as it relates to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Cabinet at its meeting on 22nd March 2023, made the following decision in relation to the Arriving Passengers Regulations:

  • Effective 1st April 2023 All visitors travelling to the Turks and Caicos Islands will NOT be required to show proof of the Covid-19 Vaccine.

As Minister responsible for Health, I continue to urge residents and visitors to practice safe hygiene habits, build your immune systems, take the Covid-19 Vaccine or booster to protect yourself or your loved ones. The life you save could be your very own.

May God continue to bless our beautiful by nature Turks and Caicos Islands.  I take this opportunity to wish you all a blessed and Happy Easter.

Good day Turks and Caicos!!!

Expiration of the Public And Environmental Health (COVID19)(Arriving Passengers Health Clearance) Regulations

The Ministry of Health and Human Services wishes to advise the traveling public that the Public And Environmental Health (COVID-19)(Arriving Passengers Health Clearance) Regulations will expire on March 31 2023.

This therefore means that proof of COVID-19 vaccination will no longer be required for visitors to the Turks and Caicos Islands as of April 1, 2023. 

Persons are strongly encouraged to take general precautions to protect themselves and limit transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses in circulation. This includes: practicing frequent hand hygiene (washing hands with soap and water for at least 30 seconds or use of hand sanitizer), maintain physical distance (at least 6 feet apart), cover your coughs and sneezes and wear a face covering, especially when indoors and around others and particularly if you are experiencing any respiratory symptoms. Eligible persons are strongly encouraged to consider taking COVID-19 vaccine/booster and the flu shot. Those with underlying conditions and the elderly are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated and stay up to date with their boosters. COVID-19 vaccines, the bivalent booster and flu vaccines are available at no cost at all Primary Health Care Clinics.

For further information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s website https://www.gov.tc/moh/coronavirus/

UPDATED MIGRANT HEALTH MEASURES

(Providenciales August 17, 2022) The Ministry of Health and Human Services wishes to advise the public of the changes to Migrant Health processing approved by Cabinet and effective by August 1st, 2022.

  1. The unit will no longer be accepting applications for medical certificates from
  2. Applications will only be accepted from one of the locally licensed and approved medical facilities or pre-approved companies. List is provided below.
  3. Effective 1st September 2022, the cost for a medical certificate for one year will increase to $50 per person. This fee is non-refundable and must be paid upfront.
  4. Pre-approved companies hiring from overseas are strongly encouraged to have medical documents checked by a locally licensed and approved health care facility prior to submission to the Migrant Health Unit.
  5. Applicants who are applying from or are citizens of countries deemed as high risk must have an approved medical before entering the TCI. High-risk countries are indicated
  6. Applicants from all other countries, not requiring a visa to enter the TCI may enter the country and have medical done on The requirements for the medical is the same if done within or external to the TCI.
  1.    Applicants are advised to have the following vaccines before arrival to avoid delay with approval:
    1. Two doses of Adult Diphtheria and Tetanus or Tdap
    2. Two doses of Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR)
    3. One dose of Polio
  1. Further details on requirements can be found on the following website https://gov.tc/moh/migrant-health-programme
  2. A one-year conditional medical certificate of good health may be issued to persons who do not fully meet the Applicants who meet the criteria may be issued a medical certificate of good health for up to three years.
  3. Applicants who have not received any feedback on their applications from this year (2022) can email their queries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
  1. Fraudulent submissions will be denied, and punitive action will be determined by the
  2. As of 1st September 2022, applications submitted and approved will have medical certificates emailed directly to the health care facility or the submitting There will be no need to visit the unit for collection.
  3. The new migrant health schedule are as follows:
    1. Monday and Wednesday – Health care facilities drop off
    2. Tuesday and Thursday – Pre-approved companies drop off
    3. Friday – Pick-up or issuance
  4. The unit will continue to improve on the process through modernization and technology in an effort to make the process seamless for all parties.

List of locally licensed and approved health care facilities

 Omnicare Medical Clinic (also offers vetting services)

  1. Carolina Medical Clinic
  2. Family Medical Clinic (also offers vetting services)
  3. Associated Medical Practices (also offers vetting services)
  4. ACCU Diagnostic
  5. Grace Bay Medical
  6. Bel-Air Medical Clinic

List of countries deemed as High Risk (applications must be approved before entry to TCI)

 

A

Afghanistan

Algeria

Angola

Armenia

Azerbaijan

 

B

Bangladesh

Belarus

Benin (get tested in Nigeria)

Bhutan

Bolivia

Botswana

Brazil

Brunei

Burma (Myanmar)

Burkina Faso (get tested in Ghana)

Burundi

 

C

Cambodia

Cape Verde (get tested in Gambia or Senegal)

Central African Republic (get tested in Cameroon)

Chad (get tested in Cameroon) Cameroon

China

Congo (get tested in Democratic Republic of the Congo)

Côte d’Ivoire

 

D

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Djibouti (get tested in Ethiopia)

Dominican Republic

 

E

East Timor (get tested in Indonesia)

Ecuador

Equatorial Guinea (get tested in Ghana)

Eritrea (get tested in Kenya)

Ethiopia

 

G

Gabon (get tested in Cameroon)

Gambia

Georgia

Ghana

Guatemala

Guinea (get tested in Sierra Leone)

Guinea Bissau (get tested in Gambia or Senegal)

Guyana

 

H

Haiti

Hong Kong

 

I

India

Indonesia

Iraq

 

K

Kazakhstan

Kenya

Kiribati (get tested in Fiji)

Kyrgyzstan (get tested in Kazakhstan)

 

L

Laos

Lesotho (get tested in South Africa)

Liberia (get tested in Ghana)

 

M

Macau (get tested in Hong Kong)

Madagascar

Malawi

Malaysia

Mali (get tested in Gambia or Senegal)

Marshall Islands (get tested in Fiji)

Mauritania (get tested in Morocco)

Micronesia (get tested in Fiji)

Moldova

Mongolia

Morocco

Mozambique

 

N

Namibia

Nepal

Niger (get tested in Ghana)

Nigeria

North Korea

 

P

Pakistan

Palau (get tested in Philippines)

Papua New Guinea

Panama

Paraguay

Peru

Philippines

 

R

Russia

Rwanda

 

S

São Tomé and Principe (get tested in Angola)

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Solomon Islands (get tested in Papua New Guinea)

Somalia (get tested in Kenya)

South Africa

South Korea

South Sudan (get tested in Kenya)

Sri Lanka

Sudan

Suriname (get tested in Guyana)

Swaziland (get tested in South Africa)

 

T

Tajikistan

Tanzania

Togo (get tested in Ghana)

Thailand

Turkmenistan

Tuvalu (get tested in Fiji)

 

U

Uganda

Ukraine

Uzbekistan

 

V

Vanuatu (get tested in Fiji)

Vietnam

 

Z

Zambia

Zimbabwe

 

 

 

ENDS