Her Excellency the Acting Governor, Anya Williams, chaired the 16th meeting of Cabinet on Monday 28 June 2021 at the Office of the Premier on Grand Turk.  

 All members were present. The Hon Attorney General was represented by the Deputy Attorney General. 

 At this meeting Cabinet: 

 Approved an extension of the existing COVID-19 measures and protocols, which will be in effect until 5am on Tuesday 31 August 2021 unless otherwise stated: 

a)     Curfew on all islands from 01.00 (1am) to 05.00 (5am), 

b)     All businesses on all islands to be closed by 24.00 (midnight) to 05.00 (5am), 

c)     Restaurants will be allowed to increase their occupancy to 70% of their normal capacity, 

d)     Bars, nightclubs and discotheques to be limited to 50% of normal capacity indoors and 70% outdoors, 

e)     Religious events (including weddings and funerals) to be limited to 70% of normal capacity both indoors and outdoors, 

f)       Social gatherings and social activities, with a valid permit/license and including public beaches, to be limited to a maximum of 100 persons provided these are held outdoors, 

g)     Sporting events must have approval from the Sports Commission 

h)     Pleasure craft to be limited to 70% of normal capacity, vessels with a capacity of 10 persons or less be limited to a maximum of seven persons, temperature to be taken and logbooks kept, and 

i)       Face coverings continue to be worn in all public areas and inside buildings.

Approved the extension of the Cuban Brigade for another month, until 31 July 2021, to assist the TCI with its COVID-19 response until services can be transitioned back to the TCI Hospitals. Members also agreed a review of accommodation arrangements for the Brigade.

Approved the implementation of new policy making it mandatory for new work permit, spousal permit, Government stamp, residence permits and PRC applicants to be vaccinated by 31 August 2021.

Approved the negotiated settlement of a claim made against the Turks and Caicos Island Government to compensate the claimants for damages for breach of contract.

Approved amendments to the Citizen Stimulus Programme including an extension to the deadline for the collection of Citizen Stimulus Cheques to 1st September 2021 and the cancellation of uncollected cheques after this date.

Re-confirmed approval for amendments to Draft Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure (FY21-22) discussed by Members in Cabinet on 21 June 2021.

Re-confirmed approval for additional amendments to Draft Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure (FY21-22) for the Telecommunications Commission and the Health Professionals Authority, and for these to be submitted to the House of Assembly.

Approved the appointment of Joseph Connolly to the National Insurance Board as Employer Representative for a period of two years with effect from 1 July until 31 March 2023.

Was updated on issues related to the Ministries of:

1.     Tourism,  

2.     Health, and 

3.     Home. 

Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.