Governor Imposes Curfew in Five Cays Under New Disaster Management Powers

Her Excellency Dileeni Daniel Selvaratnam

The Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Her Excellency Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, has declared the Five Cays area of Providenciales a disaster zone and approved a mandatory week-long curfew as part of an unprecedented crackdown on violent crime.

The curfew, which comes into effect at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, will remain in force until 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. During this period, residents of Five Cays are required to remain indoors from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. daily, except in cases of essential travel to and from work, medical emergencies, or other circumstances specifically authorized by the police Ground Commander.

All businesses within the designated area, including shops and bars, must close by 6:00 p.m. for the duration of the curfew. Individuals moving around within the restricted zone will be required to carry identification at all times.

The curfew order, published in the Government Gazette as Legal Notice 33 of 2025, is the third of its kind issued under the Disaster Management Act this year. However, unlike earlier orders, this action follows a recent amendment to the Disaster Management Act, passed by the House of Assembly, which grants the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force new powers to declare areas plagued by criminal activity as “disaster zones.” With the approval of the Governor, such declarations enable swift enforcement of curfews and other emergency restrictions aimed at restoring law and order.

In her notice, Governor Daniel-Selvaratnam cited threats to national security in Five Cays, linked to escalating gang violence and organized crime. She stated that the declaration was necessary “to prevent or minimise loss of human life, illness or injury to humans, property loss or damage to the environment, and to restrict access to the area.”

The geographic boundaries of the disaster zone were clearly set out in the Gazette, covering the Five Cays Roundabout, Five Cays Junction, South Dock, and Five Cays Beach.

This latest curfew highlights the Government’s intensified reliance on emergency powers to manage crime in hotspot communities. Five Cays, long identified as an area with entrenched gang activity, has in recent months been the scene of violent clashes that have alarmed residents and prompted calls for stronger intervention.

Law enforcement officials say the new powers under the Act will allow them to respond more decisively to security threats, particularly in neighborhoods most affected by organized crime. The Governor has urged full cooperation from residents and business owners, stressing that the restrictions are temporary but necessary to stabilize the situation.

Community reaction to the announcement has been mixed. While many residents welcome the stronger police presence and measures designed to improve safety, some have expressed concern about the social and economic impact of nightly curfews, particularly on small businesses that rely on evening trade.

The Opposition has previously warned that extraordinary powers must be exercised with accountability and transparency, to avoid infringing on civil liberties. However, government officials maintain that the legislation strikes the right balance between public safety and the protection of rights, pointing to the fact that the curfew is limited in scope and duration.