ADDITIONAL COVID-19 CONTROL MEASURES
The Government continues to work to slow the growth of numbers of cases of COVID-19 in our communities, and has reviewed and adjusted the measures previously announced as a result of the continued decrease in the number of cases.
In particular, the Government strategy is to introduce measures which will have an effect, and thereby ensure we can avoid having to impose any general lockdown measures, leaving such as a last resort.
Therefore, today, as we continue with the gradual process of lifting the lockdown, however we must remain vigilant.
Because we are not free of this virus.
It is not realistic to think that we will be.
There will be new clusters.
But we must avoid a new wave.
As a result, as from this Wednesday 14th October, the following measures will come into effect immediately:
ADDITIONAL COVID-19 MEASURES
I cannot stress enough that;
“The elderly and persons with underlying health conditions; should avoid socializing with younger people – even relatives, children and grandchildren – as these may be asymptomatic carriers of the virus who may infect them with fatal consequences.
“We have done very well up to now as a country in avoiding the worst effects of COVID-19 and we can continue to do well if we stick together, follow the rules and protect our most vulnerable.
“Today, we have seen a great decrease in cases, and All the current active cases are either asymptomatic or people suffering from fairly slight symptoms, with no one in the hospital or ICU, due to Covid-19, and no one requiring oxygen therapy or ventilation.
“Let’s keep it that way by continuing to work together, following advice from the Public Health Team of the Turks & Caicos, and showing the best of our communities.”
The Government reminds everyone that it is our individual and collective responsibility to play our part in ensuring that the situation continues to get better.
After 7 months of turmoil, it is now time to start to smile again, at least for now.
Thank you for your sacrifices these past 7 months.
Thank you for your support these past 7 months.
And thank you for listening this afternoon.
| Existing control measures | Control measures approved by the Cabinet |
| Curfew 4. (1) A curfew is imposed on all Islands for 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 am. every night starting from 30 September 2020 until 5:00 a.m. on 14 October 2020. | (1) A curfew is imposed on all Islands for 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 am. every night starting from October 14th 2020 until 5:00 a.m. on 2nd November 2020. The closure of businesses at 9p.m. |
| Restrictions on businesses 5. From 30 September 2020 to 5:00 a.m. on 14 October 2020. | Restrictions on businesses 5. The existing restrictions to be retained from 14th October 2020 to 5:00 a.m. on 2nd November 2020 at 30% capacity for bars and restaurants based on square footage subject to the following additional measures – Establishments should indicate their capacity by a sign being placed outside/on the door. This includes restaurants, bars and all other businesses. Capacity should be calculated in order to comply with social distancing requirements and relevant applicable regulations. Take-out/Curbside dining should be encouraged. Outdoor Dining should be encouraged. Social distancing protocols, sanitization and mask waring protocols be always employed. |
| Religious places of worship 6. (1) From 30 September 2020 to 5:00 a.m. on 14 October 2020, the number of persons that may be permitted inside a religious place of worship at any given time shall not exceed 30 percent of occupancy based on square footage as verified by the Public and Environmental Health Department. | Religious places of worship 6. (1) From 14th October 2020 to 5:00 a.m. on 2nd November 2020, the existing measures should be retained. Social distancing protocols, sanitization and mask wearing protocols to be always employed. Religious places of worship should indicate their capacity by a sign placed outside on the door to ensure compliance with social distancing requirements and other relevant regulations. |
| Funeral services and burial grounds 7. From 30 September 2020 to 5:00 a.m. on 14 October 2020, a maximum number of twenty-five persons may be permitted to attend a funeral service and at least one officiant and essential mortuary staff, which shall be approved by the Chief Medical Officer: Provided that such funeral services shall be held outdoors. | Funeral services and burial grounds From 14th October 2020 to 5:00 a.m. on 2nd November 2020, a maximum number of twenty-five persons may be permitted to attend a funeral service and at least one officiant and essential mortuary staff, which shall be approved by the Chief Medical Officer: Provided that such funeral services shall be held outdoors. Social distancing protocols, sanitization and mask wearing protocols to be always employed. All establishments should indicate their capacity by a sign placed outside on the door to ensure compliance with social distancing requirements and other relevant regulations. |
|
Restrictions on public gathering and social activities 8. (1) From the 30 September 2020 to 5:00 a.m. on 14 October 2020 no person shall host or attend any public gathering or social activity of any description, including a wedding, of a gathering of more than twenty-five persons: Provided that any such activity is held outdoors. (2) No summer camp shall be permitted to operate until 14 October 2020. |
Restrictions on public gathering and social activities 8. (1) From the 14th October 2020 to 5:00 a.m. on 2nd November 2020 the existing measure should be retained, without the requirement for a wedding to be held outdoors. |
|
Gathering at shelters 9. (1) A shelter manager may permit a maximum number of persons to be accommodated at a shelter as allowable under COVID-19 protocols in the event that a disaster has happened, is happening or is likely to happen in the Islands. (2) COVID-19 protocols shall be observed at all shelters. (3) In sub regulations (1) and (2) “COVID-19 protocols” means protocols issued by the Ministry of Health for a particular shelter or shelters generally and include temperature screening, wearing of face mask, hand sanitizing, washing of hands, physical distancing, etc. (4) In determining the maximum number of persons to be accommodated at a shelter under sub regulation (1), a principle objective of the shelter manager shall be to preserve life. |
The existing measure to remain in force until December 31st 2020. |
| Logbook 10. A log book of attendees shall be kept and maintained for any gathering of a church, funeral or wedding permitted under regulations 6, 7 and 8 to facilitate contact tracing. | Log book 10. From 14th October to 5:00am on 2nd November 2020, the existing measures to remain in place and extended to all organized public gatherings. |
| Aircrafts and vessels 11. Visiting military aircraft and vessels shall obtain approval from the Chief Medical Officer prior to arrival in the Islands. | Aircrafts and vessels 11. From 14th October to 5:00am on 2nd November 2020, the existing measures to remain in place and extended to flights providing humanitarian efforts and special aid in the event of a disaster. . |
|
Restrictions on domestic travel 12. (1) From 30 September 2020 to 5:00 a.m. on 14 October 2020, no person shall offer for hire or seek to travel on any interisland private or commercial air or sea transport that is nonessential, provided that an airline or a boat shall reduce the number of persons traveling on interisland transportation to permit physical distancing. (2) For the purposes of sub regulation (1), travel for the purpose of banking, businesses under regulation 4(3)(q), doctor and hospital visits, funeral, international travel or continuing one’s journey to an island of destination upon arrival in the Islands, emergencies and cargo shall be considered essential travel. (3) A member of the House of Assembly may travel from and return to another island, to attend a meeting of the House of Assembly in the island of Grand Turk. (4) Travel by construction workers for construction project work, with the written approval of the Permanent Secretary, Infrastructure following approval of the Chief Medical Officer shall be considered essential travel: Provided that measures as may be approved by the Ministry are put in place. (5) The Chief Medical Officer may approve other exemptions for domestic travel required for urgent purposes not identified as essential travel under this regulation. |
Capacity of the Domestic Travel: From 14th October 2020 to 5:00 a.m. on 2nd November 2020, the existing measures to be retained until 31st December 2020. |
|
Screening for essential domestic travel 13. (1) From 30 September 2020 to 5:00 a.m. on 14 October 2020, the Airports Authority and the Ports Authority shall, in accordance with protocols issued by the Ministry of Health, implement and conduct temperature checks on every person before the person boards an aircraft or boat for interisland travel. (2) From 30 September 2020 to 5:00 a.m. on 14 October 2020, the operator of a private boat who intends to travel interisland shall, prior to travel to and from any island, by boat notify and register with the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources. The Department of Environmental and Coastal Resources shall conduct a temperature check on the operator. (3) Every person travelling interisland shall be subjected to a temperature check— (a) at the airport, if the person is travelling by aircraft; or (b) at the sea port, if the person is travelling by boat. (4) A person who intends to travel interisland shall before undertaking such travel apply to the Ministry of Health for travel authorization by completing the Interisland Travel Authorization Form set out on the Ministry of Health website and subject himself to a temperature check prior to his travel. (5) Every person travelling interisland shall adhere to all health protocols relevant for domestic travel. |
Screening for essential domestic travel 13. From 14th October to 5:00am on 31st December 2020, the existing measures to remain in place. |
|
Public beaches 14. For the purpose of preventing the spread of the virus through social gatherings, all public beaches shall continue to be opened subject to the following conditions for 30 September 2020 to 5:00 a.m. on 14 October 2020— (a) physical distancing requirements shall be observed; (b) no gathering of more than six adult persons outside the same household; (c) other than commercial vendors who comply with the Ministry of Health protocols, no alcohol should be taken onto or consumed on the beach; (d) no sports shall be allowed on the beach, except individual fitness activities. |
Public beaches 14. From 14th October to 5:00am on 2nd November 2020, the existing measures to remain in place. |
| Schools 15. Schools shall remain closed to face-to-face learning, except in the case of fourth and fifth forms students who may be required to attend school from 5 October 2020 in accordance the policy issued by the Ministry of Education. | Schools 15. From 14th October 2020 the reopening of schools should be in accordance with the Policy of the Ministry of Education establishing a Road map to the reopening of schools which should issue guidelines in consultation with the Ministry of Health. |
| Sports camps: From 14th October 2020 Sports Camps may be permitted with a maximum of 25 persons inclusive of adults. Social distancing, face coverings, hygiene measures and logbooks must be utilized. | |
|
Restriction on visitation No person shall visit or be permitted to visit— any place of quarantine or isolation station; a patient in a hospital or facility, except a responsible adult in the case of a child; residential care establishment; or a detainee in a detention center, prison or police cell. |
The existing restrictions on visitation to continue until 31st December 2020. |