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Turks Caicos Information

Press Release: COVID-19 Testing at The Sands

Hartling Group Resorts, Turks & Caicos Add COVID-19 Testing Sites to Accommodate New CDC Requirements

JANUARY 27, 2021 – PROVIDENCIALES – The Hartling Group, award-winning owner and operator of The Sands on Grace Bay, The Palms Turks & Caicos, and The Shore Club Long Bay Beach, is pleased that the destination has exponentially increased its COVID-19 testing sites in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) new order. The CDC’s updated requirements, which go into effect on January 26, 2021, mandates all air passengers arriving to the United States from a foreign country must be tested no more than three days prior to entry to the United States and present negative results prior to boarding their flights.

Both The Shore Club and The Palms have designated rapid-testing locations within the resort grounds, while guests of The Sands at Grace Bay will utilize the facilities at The Palms Resort. Testing is complimentary for all paying resort guests at the Shore Club and Palms, and $25 for guests of The Sands at Grace Bay.  Tests will also be available to non-guests for a nominal fee of $50 per person, with appointments required.  The Hartling Group resorts are working in collaboration with Flamingo Pharmacy, who will be overseeing the testing operations at each resort.

The Hartling Group has worked closely with The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands and other private sector partners to ensure a smooth roll out and can confirm that the destination has well above the capacity to meet the current testing load for visitors and residents alike.

In addition to the CDC’s rules for testing prior to flying to the US, the Turks and Caicos Islands still requires negative COVID-19 PCR test results within five days prior to arrival to the destination as a part of TCI Assured, a quality assurance pre-travel program and portal.  The Turks and Caicos government also requires that all arriving guests have valid Travel Insurance that covers COVID-19 related medical treatment, quarantine costs and medivac costs.

The Hartling Group resort family and staff are committed to doing our best to ensure your comfort, safety, and well-being throughout your stay with us. You can learn about the extra precautions and protocols we have established on our websites and what to expect when arriving and enjoying the resort’s common grounds. The Turks and Caicos Islands have received the Safe Travels Stamp from the World Travel Council, which denotes that its existing safety protocols align with the core requirements established by the WTTC. We will do whatever we can to ensure your Turks and Caicos vacation is comfortable, safe, and enjoyable.

Reservations for on-site testing can be booked at the resort at your leisure, and you can visit any of the resorts’ websites, www.thesandstc.flywheelstaging.com; www.thepalmstc.com; www.theshoreclubtc.com.

 

About The Sands at Grace Bay

The Sands at Grace Bay is situated on the world-renowned 12-mile crescent of powdery white sand known as Grace Bay Beach. The Sands at Grace Bay continues to gain acclaim showcased by the many awards and positive guest reviews that our resort and dedicated employees continue receiving, including “Best Family Resort” in The Caribbean Journal Travelers’ Choice Awards for 2019; Booking.com “Guest Review Award;” and Family Vacation Critic once again named The Sands as a “2019 Family Favorite Hotel.” The resort is proud to carry the acclaim of TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award recipient for 2020, formerly known as the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, an honor it has carried for nine years now. Plus U.S. News & World Report has named The Sands as one of the 2020 “Best Hotels in the Turks and Caicos”– a commendation the resort has received since 2015.

This 114-room resort offers accommodations ranging from junior suites to full suites with one, two and two-bedrooms plus den that can serve as a third bedroom featuring full kitchens with granite counter tops and stainless-steel appliances and screened patios. Suites vary in size from 1,000 to 1,600 square feet. Suites also come with dining and living room areas, private balconies, washer/dryers and more – all of which combine comfort-focused amenities and spectacular natural surroundings. The Sands at Grace Bay is the home of Hemingway’s Restaurant and Bar – a legendary beach-side venue and local favorite. Spa treatments by Spa Tropique are also available by appointment.

 

About The Hartling Group

The Hartling Group is a resort management company in Turks and Caicos, specializing in real estate sales and development of luxury Caribbean resorts, condominiums, and villas. Founded by Stan Hartling in 1997, The Hartling Group brings a new level of real estate property development and management services to the Turks & Caicos Islands. The Hartling Group’s mandate includes providing seamless integration of design, development, and management expertise, whereby each element fuses naturally into the other, and the resulting quality of the project surpasses the sum of its individual parts. The Hartling Group Resorts in Turks and Caicos include The Sands at Grace Bay, The Palms Turks and Caicos and The Shore Club Long Bay Beach.

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Announcements Awards Comments From Our Guests Just For Fun Sands At Grace Bay Reviews

The Sands at Grace Bay Receives 2020 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award

The Sands at Grace Bay resort situated on the Tripadvisor voted “2020 World’s Best Beach” — Grace Bay Beach — in Turks and Caicos, Providenciales has received the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for 2020. Winners of this award, formerly known as the Certificate of Excellence, are among the top 10% of businesses on TripAdvisor. Travelers’ Choice recipients include destinations, airlines, accommodations, restaurants, attractions and experiences worldwide that earn consistently great user reviews.

The Travelers’ Choice accounts for the quality, quantity and recency of reviews submitted by travelers on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period. To qualify, a business must maintain an overall TripAdvisor bubble rating of at least four out of five, have a minimum number of reviews and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months.

According to a 2019 TripAdvisor survey, travelers said recognition programs are tremendously influential in consumer decision-making. This feedback compelled TripAdvisor to update its award program structure “to bring greater clarity around these awards to consumers, making them even more helpful and valuable,” according to its website.

“It’s the wonderful customer feedback that makes this award possible so we would like to say ‘thank you’ to all of our past guests, friends, and fans — and, of course, to our welcoming and hard-working staff for for making us a winner of this splendid accolade for the 9th year.” We appreciate your roles in helping us garner this acclaim,” said Mona Beeson, General Manager at The Sands at Grace Bay. “We look forward to seeing all of our past guests and all new travelers  to deliver the vacations of your dreams at The Sands at Grace Bay soon.”

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Announcements Turks Caicos Information

The Sands at Grace Bay Announces Renovations and Upgrades Seasonal Closure

The Sands at Grace Bay 2020

During what is normally a slow time in the Caribbean islands, Hartling Group announced Monday morning that it will close The Sands at Grace Bay resort on September 1 through October 14 and will utilize this time for some additional renovations and upgrades to theThe Sands at Grace Bay 2020 popular Grace Bay Beach resort.

“Our decision to close was not an easy one, said Karen Whitt, VP of Sales & Marketing for Hartling Group, however Hartling Group operates three resorts in the Turks and Caicos Islands, The Sands at Grace Bay, The Palms and The Shore Club, and this does provide some options. It is noted that The Shore Club will remain open for business as usual, and The Palms will offer an extended “long-term stay,” option for persons wishing to visit for 14 or 30 days with limited services. More details of that promotion will be shared in another release.”

The resort is currently contacting guests with existing reservations at The Sands with options for their stay. Clients can also contact our reservations department at [email protected] or call toll-free 877-777-2637.

The Turks and Caicos Islands re-opened their borders on July 22, and visitors have been enjoying the usual low-density, high level service and amenities that the TCI has become famous for. The top priority of Hartling Group has been the health and well-being of our guests, employees, and the community. We look forward to resuming normal operations and welcoming visitors back to The Sands at Grace Bay on October 15th.

The sands at Grace Bay Hobie CatThe Sands at Grace Bay is situated on the world-renowned 12-mile crescent of powdery white sand known as Grace Bay Beach. The Sands at Grace Bay continue to gain acclaim showcased by the many awards and positive guest reviews that our resort and dedicated employees continue receiving, including “Best Family Resort” in The Caribbean Journal Travelers’ Choice Awards for 2019; Booking.com “Guest Review Award;” and Family Vacation Critic once again named The Sands as a “2019 Family Favorite Hotel.” The resort is proud to carry the acclaim as a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence property for the eighth year. Plus U.S. News & World Report has named The Sands as one of the 2019 “Best Hotels in the Turks and Caicos”– a commendation the resort has received since 2015.

This 114-room resort offers accommodations in junior suites and 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom suites ranging from 1,000 to 1,600 square feet, all of which combine comfort-focused amenities and spectacular natural surroundings. Suites also come with fully equipped kitchens appointed with stainless appliances, dining and living room areas, private balconies, washer/dryers and more. The Sands at Grace Bay is the home of Hemingway’s Restaurant and Bar – a legendary beach-side venue and local favorite. Spa treatments by Spa Tropique are also available by appointment.

For additional information or to book, visit www.thesandstc.flywheelstaging.com – or call toll-free from the U.S. (877) 777-2637 or from Canada (800) 567-5327. Travel agents receive ten percent commissions for bookings made at The Sands at Grace Bay.

 

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TURKS AND CAICOS COVID-19 TRAVEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

COVID-19 UPDATE

The Turks & Caicos Islands are now open to visitors and we are so pleased to welcome international travelers back to our award-winning shores! The safety and well-being of our guests, team members, and community remain a top priority and we are following the highest guidelines provided by our Ministry of Health, guided by the CDC, WHO, and CARPHA.

 

TURKS & CAICOS ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Testing Requirements

All incoming guests with the exception of children under 10 years of age must receive a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR nasal swab test, within 5 days of your scheduled arrival date. (Blood Draw, Antibody testing is not acceptable for entry to Turks & Caicos.)

To assist, below are some helpful links to find testing sites on line and in your area*:

At-Home Test Kit – Pixel by LabCorp test results are available on average now due to surge in demand is 3-5 days after we receive your sample at the lab.

Community-Based Testing

Arc Point Labs (nationwide)

Drive-Thru Testing

*Please contact your Primary Care Physician who may recommend alternative testing options.

 

Insurance Requirements – At this time the Turks & Caicos Government requires all incoming travelers to be in possession of Travel Insurance that covers Covid-19 in-country medical treatment, the cost of quarantine, and repatriation/medivac insurance. For your convenience, we are offering this coverage and more exclusively for guests of Hartling Group Resorts. Click here to purchase Travel Insurance>>>

 

TCI Assured Portal – Once you have received your negative test results document and completed the Insurance requirements, these documents must be uploaded electronically to the TCI Assured website prior to entry into the Turks & Caicos Islands.  As a precautionary measure, please ensure to print two copies of each document to bring with you. There is no quarantine period required upon arrival to the Turks & Caicos Islands for visitors once they have tested negative for the virus.  Click here to complete TCI Travel Authorization>>>

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TCI COVID-19 Ministry of Tourism Statement

Statement from the Honorable Ralph Higgs, Minister of Tourism for the Turks and Caicos Islands:
Turks and Caicos Islands Updates Travel Requirements
In Advance of the Reopening of Tourism on July 22, 2020

Travelers will be Required to Take a COVID-19 PCR Test within Five Days of Travel

PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS (July 10, 2020) – Honorable Ralph Higgs, Minister of Tourism for the Turks and Caicos Islands, announces an update to travel requirements to the destination as a part of TCI Assured, a quality assurance pre-travel program and portal, which will be live as of July 15 in advance of the reopening of borders on July 22, 2020.

In consideration of testing availability across the country, the Turks and Caicos Islands is now requiring a negative COVID-19 PCR test result from a test taken within five days of travel, rather than the previous requirement of a test to be taken within three days of travel. Children under the age of 10 years old are not required to be tested. Additionally, travelers must have medical / travel insurance that covers medevac (insurance companies providing the prerequisite insurance will also be available on the portal), a completed health screening questionnaire, and certification that they have read and agreed to the privacy policy document. These requirements must be completed and uploaded to the TCI Assured portal, which will be available on the Turk and Caicos Islands Tourist Board website (www.turksandcaicostourism.com), in advance of their arrival.

Once travelers register on the TCI Assured portal and complete the requirements as outlined, a travel authorization notification will be given. The TCI Assured travel authorization should be presented at the time of check-in to the appropriate airline; airlines will not be able to board passengers without this authorization.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Turks and Caicos Islands, which can best be described as ‘Beautiful by Nature’. We feel confident these safety measures will allow us to safely reopen our borders and we will continue to review conditions on an ongoing basis to evaluate whether further changes are necessary.

We would like to encourage travelers to comply with all health protocols enforced in our jurisdiction as they are designed to help ensure the safety of our visitors and residents. For more information and to stay informed on the reopening of the Turks and Caicos Islands, call 1 (800) 241-0824 or visit www.turksandcaicostourism.com.

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Announcements Turks Caicos Information

News Announcing TCI Curfew

The Sands - Grace Bay Beach

The Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Charlene Cartwright-Robinson, along with his Excellency Governor Nigel Dakin of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board today announced — for the purposes of preventing, controlling and suppressing the spread the virus — a curfew is being imposed.  Below are details:

Effective Thursday, March 26th, a curfew is hereby imposed on all persons and businesses from 8pm to 5am save for any exemptions provided.

Effective Saturday, March 28th at 5am, a curfew is imposed every day for twenty four hours, except as provided herein or as may be approved by the Governor. There are essential services that will be allowed to operate and a comprehensive list will be made available through various platforms and there will be regular updates from the Government will be made available to the public. Safety regulations and protocols will be aired over RTC for the remainder of this week.

Shelter at home
For the purposes of preventing, controlling and suppressing the spread the virus, residents are to shelter in place and shall remain confined to their place of residence (inclusive of their yard space) to avoid contact outside of their family, save for the exceptions provided.

Work Remotely
For the purposes of preventing, controlling and suppressing the spread the virus, all businesses and offices may only continue their business operations by allowing their employees to work remotely from home utilizing virtual means unless workers are permitted to work under these Regulations or are designated as essential services. These provisions are likewise extended to the Public Service.

For the purposes of preventing, controlling and suppressing the spread the virus, all establishments, institutions, businesses, offices, stores and organizations shall suspend operations save an except those designated as essential services in the Regulations and for the hours permitted.

Stricter Social Distancing Protocols
For the purposes of preventing, controlling and suppressing the spread the virus, there will be strict distancing protocols for those offering and accessing essential services.

Ban on Social Gatherings
For the purposes of preventing, controlling and suppressing the spread the virus, no person shall host or attend any social gatherings except those approved by the Governor on the advice of the Ministry of Health.

Closure of Public Beaches
For the purposes of preventing, controlling and suppressing the spread the virus, all public beaches shall remain closed.

Restriction on Visitation
For the purposes of preventing, controlling and suppressing the spread the virus, there will no visits to anyplace of quarantine, to a patient at the hospital or under residential care at a facility, the detention center or the prison.

Power of Governor
For the purposes of preventing, controlling and suppressing the spread the virus, the Governor shall have the power to requisition any building, ship, aircraft, vehicle etc with notice during this period of emergency to be used during this period. He shall like have the power to reasonably requisition management and control of any essential service.

Enforcement
For the purposes of preventing, controlling and suppressing the spread the virus and enforcement of these provisions, a Police Officer has the power to stop, detain and arrest any in violation of these Regulations.

No one shall obstruct any officer empowered under these regulations to carry out their duties.

And no person shall declare the sale or offer of sale of goods during this period of public emergency at an unconscionable price.

Ban on Returning Residents
Effective today, all returning residents are to be banned from returning to TCI for a period of 21 days. We have now agreed to take this step following our repeated appeals.

Restriction on Inter Island Travel
Effective …. All inter island travel is restricted save for those accessing essential services only.

Please note that all provisions remain under review but the 24 hour curfew shall remain in place for a period of 21 days from Saturday 5am.

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Announcements Turks Caicos Information

Keeping Our Guests Informed Ongoing

To ensure you always have access to the latest information and guidance, we will continue updating this “Announcements” section of our website have a website. We are committed to keeping you fully informed as the situation evolves.

Here is an info-graphic with the most updated details in this official TCI COVID-19 Update:

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Announcements Turks Caicos Information

Joint Announcement from TCI Government and TCI Hospital

In all efforts to keep communicating updates, below is a press release disseminated today from TCI Government and TCI Hospital:

Begins

Overseas Confirmed COVID-19 Case with TCI Travel History

(Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Monday 23 March, 2020):
The Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital received a public health notification that a temporary worker who visited the country on March 8th – 13th 2020 to facilitate mandatory training with a group of hospital employees tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after his return home to the United States.

The temporary worker is a 35-year-old American male and he is currently being isolated at home in the USA in stable condition. Whilst the male is classified as an overseas confirmed COVID-19 case, the decision as made to share the circumstances surrounding the case in the public’s interest. The training sessions with hospital employees were held on March 9th – 12th at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre.

The Turks and Caicos Islands and the primary U.S. state from which the temporary worker travelled and resided had no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the time of travel. In addition, there were no causes for concern identified during his screening upon entry to Providenciales and he was asymptomatic while on island. Investigations are ongoing to determine how and at what point in time the male may have contracted the virus.

Since becoming aware of the result and out of an abundance of caution, contact tracing was immediately activated by the TCI Government Ministry of Health Public Health Department in partnership with TCI Hospital and with guidance from Public Health England.

According to the U.S. Centres for Disease Control, people are thought to be most contagious when they are symptomatic. However, given the scientific speculation surrounding whether it might be possible for asymptomatic persons to spread the virus in small amounts, Providenciales-based hospital employees and other persons who were in contact with the affected male were placed under quarantine as a precaution pending test results from samples collected.

These tests are being expedited and thus far two results have returned as negative.

Temporary and resident health care workers and patients returning to the Turks and Caicos Islands from overseas medical care facilities have been required to undergo a risk assessment process to prevent the risk and spread of COVID-19. Based on the risk level, this may include a requirement to quarantine as determined by TCIG MOHAHS Public Health Team.

The Ministry of Health and TCI Hospital continues to be engaged in dialogue throughout this public health challenge. The Ministry fully supports these prudent and necessary measures as we fight the risk and potential spread of COVID-19

ENDS

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Announcements Turks Caicos Information

An update from Hemingway’s on the Beach

We wanted to communicate that Hemingway’s on the Beach will be closing tonight at 8pm. The restaurant and bar will reopen as soon as the airport reopens.

The Sands at Grace Bay remains open for business.

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Announcements Turks And Caicos Flights Turks Caicos Information

An update from Turks and Caicos Public and Environmental Health

Today the following advisory was issued by Turks and Caicos Islands Public and Environmental Health (Control Measures).  Below is the announcement issued entitled: Travel Advisory # 3 The Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Regulations 2020.

BORDER CLOSURE
The Turks and Caicos Islands Ministry of Tourism and Tourist Board continue to work along with the
Ministry of Health as we prepare for the possibility of coronavirus (COVID-19) reaching the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Turks and Caicos Islands as of today 20th March 2020 reported zero confirmed cases of COVID-19 virus.

The safety and security of the traveling population is our major concern. We would like to advise
visitors and travel industry partners of the recent changes in regulations that will affect travel to the
destination. Please take note of the following : The Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Regulations 2020
which will come into operation on 24th March 2020.

Closure of Airports and Sea Ports
(1) For the purposes of preventing, controlling and suppressing the spread of the virus—
(a) all airports shall be closed to regional and international flights;
(b) all sea ports shall be closed to regional and international seafaring; and
(c) no visitor shall be permitted to enter or transit through the Turks and Caicos Islands,
for a period of twenty-one days, commencing on the date these Regulations come into force or until such date as the Governor may be notice specify.

(2) The restriction contained in subregulation (1) does not apply to—
(a) outgoing flights or outgoing ships, as the case may be;
(b) cargo flights or cargo ships, as the case may be;
(c) courier flights;
(d) medevac flights;
(e) technical stops (stops by aircraft to refuel and proceed onward to another destination);
(f) emergency flights approved by the Civil Aviation Authority and the Airports Authority; or
(g) a Turks and Caicos Islander or resident returning to the Islands.

(3) A Turks and Caicos Islander or resident who, at the date of commencement of these Regulations, had traveled to the Islands from a place outside the Islands, shall be—
(a) subjected to screening and passenger tracing at port of entry;
(b) subjected to clinical examination at port of entry;
(c) for the purposes of surveillance by the Chief Medical officer, required to remain at home or
such other place of quarantine as specified by the Chief Medical officer and subject to such
conditions as are provided by the Chief Medical Officer, for a period of fourteen days.

Screening Requirements
4. (1) For the purposes of these Regulations, the screening and clinical examination requirements, in relation to a person are requirements to the effect that a person shall—
(a) answer questions about his health or other relevant circumstances (including travel history
and information about other individuals with whom he may have had contact);
(b) produce any documents which may assist a medical officer in assessing his health;
(c) at such time as a medical officer may specify, allow a medical officer, to take a biological
sample the person, including a sample of his respiratory secretions or blood, by appropriate
means including by swabbing his nasopharyngeal cavity, or provide such a sample; and
(d) provide sufficient information to enable the person to be contacted immediately by a
medical officer during such period as a medical officer may specify, where the medical officer
considers that such provision of information is necessary in order to reduce or remove the risk
of the person infecting or contaminating others.

For full details and guidance on the Emergency Powers Regulation COVID-19 20th March 2020
please go to: https://www.gov.tc/moh/coronavirus/regulations

Please be reminded that: As of March 17th the list of ‘infected countries’ in Regulation 2 of the Public and Environmental Health (Control Measures)(COVID-19) Regulations 2020 has been amended to include the following additional countries which are experiencing sustained in country transmission and may pose a risk to the public health of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

This list is based on the CDCs travel advisories which lists the following countries as having widespread ongoing transmission (level 3 warning). The expansion includes the following countries;
a. Austria
b. Belgium
c. Czech Republic
d. Denmark
e. Estonia
f. Finland
g. France
h. Germany
i. Greece
j. Hungary
k. Iceland
l. Italy
m. Latvia
n. Liechtenstein
o. Lithuania
p. Luxembourg
q. Malta
r. Netherlands
s. Norway
t. Poland
u. Portugal
v. Slovakia
w. Slovenia
x. Spain
y. Sweden
z. Switzerland
aa. Monaco
ab. San Marino
ac. Vatican City

In addition to the above screening protocols, travelers coming from such states will be asked to monitor themselves for symptoms over the subsequent 14 days and if they develop symptoms, then immediately call the Ministry of Heath’s Coronavirus hotline: (649) 333-0911 and (649) 232-9444.

The government continues to monitor this fluid situation and will update the general public regularly.

For additional information, please visit www.gov.tc/moh/coronavirus, or email [email protected].