TCI citizens return home from Europe

MORE than 100 TC Islanders came back to the territory this week from the United Kingdom and Italy, while several Bahamians returned home.

A British Airways flight safely transported 114 citizens from London on Thursday (June 11).

The return route was organised through a partnership with the TCI Government, the Governor’s Office and the Cayman Islands government.

The Government secured seats for residents and covered travel costs for students under a full scholarship, partial scholarship or grant who wished to return home.

Meanwhile, Bahamians who were able to secure seats were transported by a special Bahamasair flight back to Nassau, Bahamas.

Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson thanked the partners and welcomed the TCI residents home.

Minister of Tourism Ralph Higgs, speaking on June 1, said that Cabinet on May 15 gave consent to allow for the borders to be opened to allow citizens to return home.

“To date we have seen the return of persons from the Dominican Republic and some recently trained police officers from Barbados,” he said.

“Plans will continue over the next few weeks to bring more Turks and Caicos Islanders home from the South Florida area and in conjunction with other countries in the region, trans-Atlantic flight for persons in those areas.

“Our repatriation efforts will follow the stated regulations and are being planned closely with the Ministry of Health.”

He said efforts to bring resident home are “not without difficulty” as many airports around the world are closed.

“Despite the challenges these repatriation efforts are very important and we will see them through and ask for the cooperation of all concerned,” he added.

As of May 15, the Emergency Powers (Covid-19) (No. 4) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 came into operation.

They provided for the return of Turks and Caicos Islanders, permanent residents and residence permit holders who are married to TC Islanders by international air travel.

Additional flights will be announced to facilitate the return of residents prior to the reopening of the territory’s borders on July 22.

Any citizens wishing to return to the TCI can register with the Tourist Board by sending an email to travel@ turksandcaicostourism.com

Applicants must provide their name, number travelling in party, contact information, country of departure and proof of legal status in the TCI.

Returning residents should contact the airlines directly to book a seat. Details will be provided via email.

They will be required to complete and submit to the airline a health screening questionnaire for Covid-19 prior to arrival in the Islands.

They will be placed under quarantine in a specified place for a period of 14 days and will be monitored by a health officer for symptoms and signs of Covid-19.

And they will be required to sign a quarantine order and to complete other relevant forms as required by the Ministry of Health.