His Excellency the Governor, Nigel Dakin, chaired the 6th meeting of Cabinet on Wednesday 31 March 2021 at the Office of the Premier on Providenciales.

All members were present.

At this meeting Cabinet:

1. Was given an update by the Ministry of Health on the measures being taken to address and mitigate against the threat of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) to the country, including
2. surveillance testing through the use of lateral flow devices and PCR;
3. hospital bed capacity;
4. the instillation of the temporary oxygen generator at the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre as well as the permanent installations at the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre and the Cockburn Town Medical Centre;
5. overall compliance by businesses and persons with the current COVID-19 measures and protocols; and
6. the progression of the uptake of the COVID vaccine(s).

Approved an extension of the existing COVID-19 measures and protocols along with new measures, which will be in effect until 5am on Wednesday 30 June 2021 unless otherwise stated:

Exiting Measures

1. Curfew on all islands from 23.00 (11pm) to 05.00 (5am),
2. All businesses on all islands to be closed by 22.00 (10pm) to 05.00 (5am),
3. Bars and restaurants to be limited to 30% of normal capacity both indoors and outdoors for sit-down only. No congregating at bar and restaurant counters allowed,

Exiting Measures

1. Pleasure craft to be limited to 50% of normal capacity, vessels with a capacity of 10 persons or less be limited to a maximum of six persons, temperature to be taken and logbooks kept,
2. Religious events (including weddings and funerals) to be limited to 30% of normal capacity when indoors and up to 50 persons when outdoors,
3. Subject to 100% of the staff on duty being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, restaurants and bars will be allowed to increase their occupancy to 60% or their normal capacity,
4. Subject to the operators of the vehicles being fully vaccinated, taxis and community cabs can increase the number of passengers allowed during a single trip to the greater of 3 persons or 50% of the normal carrying capacity of the vehicle, and
5. Social gatherings and social activities to be limited to a maximum of 30 persons.

Approved amendments to the Public and Environmental Health (Testing of COVID-19) Regulations to allow Approved Tourist Testing Centers (ATTCs) with a qualified health practitioner on staff to test workers within the hospitality sector through the use of Lateral Flow Devices.

Approved via round robin an extension of the Pandemic Regulations (No. 2) as set out in Legal Notices 86 and 115 of 2020 until 30th June 2021.

Approved the resumption of Prison visits, subject to both prisoner and visitor(s) being fully vaccinated.

Received updates on the implementation of the Alternative Sentencing Ordinance and cross-departmental work to implement a Community Service Plan.

Received an update on the TCI Assured pre-travel authorisation portal. Cabinet discussed current practices, breaches of the rules, and ways to improve the inbound passenger experience.

In line with the process under the provisions of the Public Procurement Ordinance, approved the Procurement Board’s recommendations on the award of the following contracts:    

1. PN 005584, TR 20/15, Road – North Caicos (resubmission)
2. PN 005549, TR 20/51, Furniture and Equipment for Governor’s Residence
3. PN 005550, TR 20/29, Police Boats
4. PN 005551, SSP, Drones for Police
5. PN 005551, TR 20/79, Vehicles for Drones
6. PN 005552, TR 20/12, Purchase of furniture for Police Buildings
7. PN 005553, TR 20/13, Police vehicles
8. PN 005560 / NFF, TR 20/36, Radar Station – Enhancing Radar Coverage, Providenciales
9. PN005561, TR 20/46, Consultancy for a Geotechnical Survey of South Dock, Providenciales
10. PN 005567, TR 20/31, Furniture and Equipment for Schools Phase 2
11. PN 005566, TR 20/53, Construction of new Primary School in Providenciales – Phase 2
12. PN 005579, TR 20/56, Backup Generators for all Government Essential Facilities
    1. Lot 7 – R.O. Plant, Salt Cay
    2. Lot 8 – R.O. Plant, Cockburn Harbour, South Caicos
    3. Lot 9 – Detention Centre, Five Cays, Providenciales
    4. Lot 10 – Bottle Creek Clinic, Bottle Creek, North Caicos
    5. Lot 11 – sandy Point Community Centre, Sandy Point, North Caicos
    6. Lot 12 – H.J. Robinson Auditorium, Grand Turk
    7. Lot 13 – Iris Stubbs Primary School, South Caicos
    8. Lot 14 – Green Door Shelter, North Ridge, Grand Turk
13. PN 005582, TR 20/20, Vehicles for Government
14. PN 005590, TR 20/80, Consultancy Framework Agreement
    1. Structural Designs and Assessments
    2. MEP Designs and Assessments
    3. Quantity Surveying Services
    4. Architectural Designs and Services
    5. Environmental Impact Assessment Services
    6. Project Management and Site Supervision Services
    7. Land and Geodetic Survey Services
    8. Soil Analysis Services
15. PN 005591, TR 20/68, Redevelopment of Five Cays Community Centre, Providenciales
16. PN 005485, TR 20/57 Furniture and Equipment for Ministry of HASH, Sports Equipment, Providenciales
17. PN 005485, TR 20/50, Furniture and Equipment for Wellness Centre, Grand Turk
18. PN 005603, TR 20/40, Leeward Park Phase II
19. PN 005604, TR 20/55, Refurbishment of national Stadium
20. PN 005605, TR 20/54, Installation of Lights for the Parade Ground, Grand Turk
21. PN 005610, TR 20/59, Grand Turk Sports Complex and Shelter
22. TCIAA – 03/2020, TR 20/43, Motor Vehicles for the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority, Providenciales
23. TCIPA 07/18, TR 20/64, South Caicos Port Rehabilitation
24. TCIPA 05/20, TR 20/38, North Caicos Port Infrastructure Development – Construction of Port Office and Welcome Centre for Bellefield Landing, North Caicos

Approved the reallocation of funds from the Provo Rehabilitation Appraisal Works (TCIPA 08/19) Project for the construction of a Port Office and Welcome Centre at Bellefield Landing (TCIPA 05/50) and South Caicos Port Rehabilitation (TCIPA 07/18) projects.

Approved the appointments of Alvin Hegner (Chair) and Walter T Gardiner Jr (Deputy Chair) as Members to the Board of Directors of the Invest Turks and Caicos Islands Agency for a period of three (3) years with effect from 1 April 2021.

Approved the reallocation of funds within the Recurring Budget for FY 20/21 and the reorganisation of funds from within the Airport Authority Capital Budget for FY 20/21.

Approved the renewal of a lease for the Premier’s Official Residence on Grand Turk for a period of four years and a separate lease for the Premier’s Official Residence on Providenciales for a period of four years.

Approved via round robin approval a revised Provisional Warrant resolution in respect of FY 2021-22 revision in the Estimates to reflect the Government’s planned ministerial changes which took effect on 1 April 2021.

Were updated on the work of the Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force in tackling serious crime.

Noted the sterling work by the Ministry of Finance in completing the end of financial year work, in particular work to ensure the prompt issuing of the stimulus payments.

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