His Excellency the Governor, Nigel Dakin, chaired the 23rd meeting of Cabinet on Wednesday 18 August 2021 at the Office of the Premier on Providenciales.
All members were present. Mrs Khalila Astwood-Tatem was also present as Acting Attorney General.
At this meeting Cabinet:
Approved the list of vaccines accepted for entry into the Turks & Caicos islands as:
- Moderna
-Oxford /Astra Zeneca
- Pfizer / BioNtech
- Janssen
- Comirnaty (Pfizer)
- Spikevax (previously COVID-19 Moderna)
- Vaxzevria (previously COVID-19 Astra Zeneca)
Approved the acceptable forms of vaccine certification as:
- E-certificates
- Certification by a doctor or government ministry (i.e., a medical professional or authorised government entity)
- Vaccination cards that are accepted by the UK, US, EU (i.e., CDC, NHS)
Approved the extension of the Cuban Brigade for a further 6 months commencing immediately which will provide support to meet the demands of the current COVID-19 surge.
Approved the draft Limitation of Action Bill, and the Bill’s submission to the House of Assembly.
Approved the Airports Authority (Amendment) Bill 2021 for submission to the House of Assembly.
Accepted the resignations of Mr. Andre Malcolm, Chairman and Ms. Adriana Gibson, Deputy Chairman, of the TCI Airports Authority Board, and
-The appointments of the new Chairman Mr. Selvyn Hawkins, and Deputy Chairman Mr. Dwayne Gardiner, and
- The further appointment as ordinary member of Board, Mr. Trevor Lightbourne with effect from 1 September 2021.
Approved the extension to Customs (Import Duty Exemption) Order 2021 for exemptions of payment of Import Customs Duties on Personal Protective Equipment and Cleaning & Sanitation Supplies from 3 August 2021 to 3 January 2022.
Approved the National Insurance Board amendments listed below which will come into effect on 20 August 2021:
- National Insurance (Benefit) (Amendments) (No2) Regulations 2021
- National Insurance (Contribution) (Amendments) (No3) Regulations
- National Insurance (Financial & Accounting) (Amendments) (No2) Regulations
- National Insurance (Claims & Payment) (Amendments) (No2) Regulations 2021
- National Insurance (Benefit) (Increase) 2021
Approved amendments to the Ports Authority Ordinance to transfer from the Crown to the Ports Authority Turks and Caicos Islands (PATCI) the following parcels:
- Grand Turk – Parcels 10506/41, 47 & 114pt
- North Caicos – Parcel 50303/1
- Providenciales – Lot 1: Parcels 60612/1 and 60605/32, 33, 39, 47, 48, 118 and 179pt; Lot 2: Parcel 60605/12,97 & 98 pt.
- South Caicos – Accreted Land plus Parcel 20307/3
And approved licenses over parcels:
- North Caicos – Parcel 50303/1
- Providenciales – Lot 1: Parcels 60612/1 and 60605/32, 33, 39, 47, 48, 118 and 179pt; Lot 2: Parcel 60605/12,97 & 98 pt.
Approved an amendment to the Caicos Resorts Ltd 2019 Concession Order to allow a timeline extension request from them for completion of their refurbishment project. The project is now expected to be completed by 21 October 2023. Cabinet also approved the inclusion to the project of an additional villa (Villa No.14) to allow Customs Import Duty concessions to be applied under the revised refurbishment policy. Cabinet also approved an increase to the concession ceiling for the Financial Year 2021 – 2022.
Discussed the Citizen Stimulus Programme in light of the impending deadline of 31st August 2021 for all checks to be collected.
Any Other Business
Cabinet was briefed on the deployment of Dr Virginia Clerveaux (DDME) to support Haiti following the earthquake and agreed in principle to financial support, via International Organisations, for Haitian disaster relief. The Ministry of Finance were asked to make recommendations.