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Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Nassau, The Bahamas
30 MINUTE READ
April 23, 2020

Colorful health alert graphic

Location:Turks and Caicos Islands   

Event:  April 23, 2020
Update:   The U.S. Embassy in Nassau is providing information on planned shared charter flights from Providenciales to Fort Lauderdale, New York, and Toronto.

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 1330 EDT on April 23

Provo Air Centeris schedulingshared charter flightsfrom Providencialesas follows:

  • Fort Lauderdale*on Thursday, April30at 10:00 a.m.  The current ticket price is $1,688, and that price may be lowered if sufficient seatsare reserved.  
  • New York*(Teterboro, New Jersey)on Friday, May 1– time TBD
  • Toronto – date and time TBD

*Pets with proper paperwork may be transported at $150.00 each.

Please contact debby@provoaircenter.comdirectly to book seats or with any questions.  

TCI’s Ministryof Health and Tourist Board is working with Provo Air Center and Blue Heron Aviation to facilitate departuresfor 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.comor Blue Heron Aviation: concierge@blueheronfbo.comfor potential flight details.  Inquiries should include the number of persons traveling, contact information, and country of origin/destination.   

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 Advisoryfor 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 webpagefor 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 websitefor additional information.   

Actions to Take:  

  • Consult the CDC websitefor 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.  
  • Check with your airlines or cruise lines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.  

Assistance : 

U.S. Embassy Nassau, The Bahamas  

#42 Queen Street, Nassau  

+1-242-322-1181   

ACSNassau@state.gov  

U.S. Embassy Nassau webpage   

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.   

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