TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS ISSUES NEW ‘SAFETY FIRST’ TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

The Sands at Grace Bay fronts Grace Bay Beach in Providenciales Photo Credit Sands at Grace Bay

Travelers Must Present Proof of Vaccination through the ‘ TCI Assured’ Travel Portal

Effective September 2, all travelers 16 years and older will be required to present proof of vaccination through TCI Assured, a quality assurance pre-travel program and portal, prior to entering the country. Travelers must be fully vaccinated, with the second shot taken over two weeks prior to traveling, or one-shot taken over two weeks prior for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The vaccines that are currently being accepted are Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Comirnaty, Spikevax, and Vaxzevria. The TCI Assured portal will accept proof of vaccination in the form of a digital or paper copy of proof of vaccination (unless exempted under the regulations).

Visitors aged 10-15 do not need to be vaccinated but must present a negative COVID-19 test result. Visitors under 10 years old are not required to be vaccinated or present a negative COVID-19 test result. Exempt visitors include only those with clear proof from a doctor that they are medically exempt from taking the vaccine and will still be required to present a negative COVID-19 test result prior to traveling. The vaccination requirement is in addition to TCI Assured’s existing protocols, which require a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR, NAA, RNA, or Antigen test result from a test taken within three days of travel, medical / travel insurance that covers medevac, a completed health screening questionnaire, and certification that the traveler has read and agreed to the privacy policy document.

The Palms Turks and Caicos Spa is a haven for rejuvenation at the 72-suite luxury resort Photo Credit @ThePalmsTC

These requirements must be complete and uploaded to the TCI Assured portal, which is available on the Turk and Caicos Islands Tourist Board website ( https://turksandcaicostourism.com/), in advance of arrival. Any fully vaccinated visitor who tests positive prior to leaving the Turks and Caicos Islands will be required to quarantine with all accompanying persons at their own expense for ten days, then undergo a mandatory COVID-19 test on day seven prior to release.

On Grace Bay Beach, Seven Stars Resort & Spa is an elegant oceanfront resort Photo Credit Seven Stars

All unvaccinated and partially vaccinated residents returning to the Turks and Caicos Islands are required to supply a negative RT-PCR test taken within three days of arrival. Upon arrival, they will be required to quarantine themselves and their household for a period of seven days and undergo a mandatory test on day five that must be negative to be released. Fully vaccinated residents are exempt from taking a COVID-19 test prior to reentering the country. The new rule underscores the destination’s commitment to health and safety and expands on its already vigilant travel protocols, which have been in place for travelers since July 22, 2020, when the destination opened its borders to tourists. The Turks and Caicos Islands also continue to promote its vaccine campaign among residents, with over 70 percent of the adult population being fully vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine—making it one of the most inoculated countries in the world.

For further details, please visit: http://turksandcaicostourism.com/