Following is the most recent update from Turks and Caicos’ Director of Tourism Pamela Ewing:
All visitors who are 16 years and over will require proof of being vaccinated to be granted entry to destination.
The safety and health of our local population and international visitors remain top priorities for the Turks and Caicos Islands, which is now one of the most inoculated countries in the world with over 70 percent of the population vaccinated. The Turks and Caicos Islands announces a new update to its travel requirements, mandating all visitors 16 years and over to be fully vaccinated before arriving in the destination.
Starting on September 1, 2021, all travelers 16 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 and AstraZeneca. The TCI Assured portal will accept proof of vaccination printed from an electronic vaccination data base or through a vaccination letter signed by a medical professional (physician or registered nurse-license number must be included). Handwritten vaccination cards will not be accepted.
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 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. For information on all updated protocols and the TCI Assured Pre-Travel Authorization Program please visit https://turksandcaicostourism.com/tci-assured-faqs/.
Please share with your teams and guests that the new 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, and a completed health screening questionnaire. These requirements must be complete and uploaded to the TCI Assured portal, which is available on the Turk and Caicos Islands Tourist Board website (www.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.
The new rule underscores our commitment to health and safety, enhancing travel confidence and giving visitors yet another reason to visit the destination. On behalf of the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourism Board, we thank you for your partnership and your individual efforts to prepare to welcome guests and promote tourism to our stunning destination. These updated procedures will go into effect on September 1, 2021, and we look forward to working with you on a seamless experience for all.
###