The Turks and Caicos government is celebrating the news that the country has been placed on the United Kingdom’s COVID-19 ‘Green List’, which means that flights from the UK can now resume.
Governor Nigel Dakin was elated at the news, wasting little time in posting the achievement on his Instagram page.
I was told this afternoon that we are on the UK ‘Green List’. Such good news. That means TCI is now ‘US CDC1’ and ‘UK Green’,” the governor stated, pointing out the measure was confirmed by the UK transport secretary.
According to the governor, the measure would go into effect on Wednesday, June 30.
“It means travellers from TCI to the UK do not need to quarantine,” he said. “If you are travelling you will need to fill in a ‘traveller locator form’.”
He said also that the traveller should also provide a valid 72-hour negative antigen or PCR test. In addition, he said it is required that the traveller needs to book and pay for a PCR test two days after arrival.
“Fingers crossed that this is the news BA (British Airways) has been waiting for to restart direct flights,” Governor Dakin said.
Recently, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) lowered the Turks and Caicos Islands COVID-19 risk assessment from dangerous level 3 to a level 1, which means that the country is virtually in the clear as it relates to its infection rate.
Both the CDC COVID-19 level one assessment and the UK ‘Green List’ are welcome news for both the government and the tourism sector. It is the hope in the sector that British Airways, which flies directly from the Turks and Caicos to the United Kingdom would resume its service.
The move has been getting kudos from the hotel sector. Operator of the Sandals/Beaches chain, Adam Stewart, wasted no time in lauding the governor’s office as well as the Washington Misick administration for pushing to achieve such feat.
“Congrats @governortci. Thank you for all your efforts and that of the government of the TCI,” Stewart wrote in the comment section of the governor’s Instagram page.