Location: Turks and Caicos Islands
On March 27, the Ministry of Health announced that there are two (2) confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Turks and Caicos Islands, as well as ten (10) suspected cases.
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 midnight on April 14, 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.
Available flights to the United States have the potential to cease at any moment and without notice due to a lack of passenger volume and due to the restrictions now in effect on incoming international flights. Please check with your airline. 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 has 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 U.S.
Assistance
U.S. Embassy Nassau, The Bahamas
#42 Queen Street, Nassau
+1-242-322-1181
For U.S. Citizens in an Emergency
Call State Department – Consular Affairs at
1 888-407-4747 (when dialing from withinthe U.S.)
+1 (202) 501-4444 (when dialing from overseas)
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.