Location: Turks and Caicos Islands
Event: April 20 Update: The U.S. Embassy in Nassau will be sending regular updates to U.S. citizens in the Turks and Caicos Islands with updated information on COVID-19.
The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) has confirmed cases of COVID-19. All U.S. citizens in the country must follow the Government of TCI’s curfew and lockdown orders currently in place.
Flights Departing the Turks and Caicos Islands, as of 1300 EDT on April 20
TCI’s Ministry and Tourist Board is working with Provo Air Center and Blue Heron Aviation to facilitate departures for any non–residents, work permit holders, or temporary visitors, currently in the Islands who wish to depart. U.S. citizens who are interested in departing should contact: Provo Air Center: debby@provoaircenter.com or Blue Heron Aviation: concierge@blueheronfbo.com for potential flight details. Inquiries should include the number of persons traveling, contact information, and country of origin/destination.
Provo Air Center is coordinating a shared charter flight on Tuesday, April 21 at 10:00 a.m. from Providenciales to Fort Lauderdale. Seats remain available. Please contact debby@provoaircenter.com to book seats or with any questions. Additionally, some private charter companies have confirmed their ability to provide flights to the United States. We encourage you to contact charter companies directly with questions regarding availability and cost.
· Hop A Jet: +1-954-771-5779, charter@hopajet.com,hopajetworldwide.com
· Presidential-Aviation: +1-954-772-8622, presidential-aviation.com
· Monarch Air Group: +1-954-359-0059, monarchairgroup.com
· IBC Airways: IBCairways.com
· Stratos Jets: +1-888-593-9066
· EvoJets: +1-877-970-5387
The above list is not an endorsement. Additional operators not listed above may be available.
On April 11, the Premier and the Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands announced that the current regulations and restrictions instituted to limit the spread of COVID-19, will remain in place until 6:00 a.m. on May 4, 2020. The Governor stated that the country’s borders will remain closed to inbound passenger travel until “at least” May 4. The Governor further noted that individuals wishing to depart the Turks and Caicos Islands still may continue to do so, and that in the next week the government will be implementing a system whereby those who wish to leave can register, so that demand can be gauged which should generate affordable flights.
On March 20, the Ministry of Health announced travel restrictions which took effect on March 24. Under these restrictions, all airports are closed to regional and international flights; all sea ports are closed to regional and international seafaring; and no visitors are permitted to enter or transit through the Turks and Caicos Islands through 6:00 a.m. on May 4, 2020 or until such date as the Governor may by notice specify. These restrictions do not apply to (a) outgoing flights or outgoing ships; (b) cargo flights or cargo ships; (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. A Turks and Caicos Islander or resident who, at as March 24 had travelled to the Turks and Caicos from another country, will be subjected to screening, passenger tracing and clinical examination at port of entry; and required to remain at home or such other place of quarantine as specified by the Chief Medical Officer for a period of fourteen days.
If you are a U.S. citizen in the Turks and Caicos Islands and you need to return to the United States, we urge you to leave now. U.S. citizens who choose to remain in the Turks and Caicos should prepare to do so for an indefinite period of time.
The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19. On March 14, the Department of State authorized the departure from any diplomatic or consular post in the world of U.S. personnel and family members who have been medically determined to be at higher risk of a poor outcome if exposed to COVID-19.
Visit the local government COVID-19 webpage for updated information. The Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 hotline numbers are +1-649-333-0911 and +1-649-232-9444.
Effective March 16, U.S. Embassy Nassau suspended routine consular services. For emergency American Citizens Services, including emergency passports, please visit our website for additional information.
Actions to Take:
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
- For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Check with your airlines or cruise lines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Turks and Caicos.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.
Assistance
U.S. Embassy Nassau, The Bahamas
#42 Queen Street, Nassau
+1-242-322-1181
ACSNassau@state.gov
For U.S. Citizens in an Emergency
Call State Department – Consular Affairs at
+1 888-407-4747 (when dialing from within the U.S.)
+1 (202) 501-4444 (when dialing from overseas)
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.