TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS POST CABINET MEETING STATEMENT - Monday 21 June 2021

His Excellency the Governor, Nigel Dakin, chaired the 15th meeting of Cabinet on Monday 21 June 2021 at the Office of the Premier on Providenciales.  

 All members were present. 

 At this meeting Cabinet:

Approved that subject to guidelines (to be developed) by the Medical Regulatory Authority (MRA), medical practitioners can request exemptions for persons on work permits and government stamps from the mandatory requirement for the same group to be vaccinated against COVID-19 on medical grounds.

Approved that the “Draft Revenue and Expenditure Estimates FY 2021-22” (the budget), with minor amendments, can be submitted for passage in the House of Assembly. Members agreed on further information and additional policy papers required to inform future budgetary discussions. 

Approved: a) the issuing of a casino license to Desarrollos Hotelco JWM TCI Ltd. for one (1) year, and b) the exempt the application from Ritz-Carlton from the moratorium placed on Gaming Machines.

Approved the appointment of the Director of DECR (Chair), Tomlinson Skippings, Tamell Seymour, Allenray Smith and Clay Arthur, as Board Members of the Fisheries Advisory Committee for a period of two years with effect from 1 July 2021 until 31 March 2023.

Approved, subject to a positive review by the UK JCVI assessment on children ages 12-15 being vaccinated against Covid-19, that resident children within the same age group can be vaccinated with the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine with the approval of a parent or guardian.

Approved the development of a long-term strategy to address the issue of overcrowding at the Government primary schools on Providenciales.

Approved the appointment of Mrs. Lavern Skippings Reynolds as Chairperson of the Procurement Board with effect from 21 June 2021 to 31 March 2023.

Was updated on issues related to the Ministries of:

1.     Infrastructure, 

2.     Health, 

3.     Education, and 

4.     Immigration. 

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