TC Weekly News July 25 - 31, 2020

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NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

American Airlines Flight 1279 receives a water cannon salute from the TCI Airport Authority’s fire squad

July 25-31, 2020

The first passengers to arrive in the TCI since the borders closed make their way out of the arrivals lounge

TCI welcomes back international visitors as PLS airport reopens BY OLIVIA ROSE CHEERFUL holidaymakers streamed into the TCI on Wednesday (July 22) for the first time since borders closed due

to the Covid-19 pandemic four months ago. The territory officially reopened to international travellers just days after a raft of lockdown measures put in place to quell the spread of

Published by Turks & Caicos News Company Ltd. Cheshire House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales P.O. Box 52, Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI W. Blythe Duncanson - Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Olivia Rose - Senior Reporter Faizool Deo - Sports Editor (At Large) Cord Garrido-Lowe - Graphics Consultant (At Large) Dilletha Lightbourne-Williams - Office Manager Email: (Advertising) tcnews@tciway.tc, (News) tcweeklynews@gmail.com Tel. 649-946-4664 (office), 649-232-3508 (after hours) Website address: www.tcweeklynews.com Follow us on: Facebook: facebook.com/tcweeklynews Twitter: twitter.com/tcweeklynews1

the virus were drastically relaxed. Hotels, pubs, restaurants and casinos in Providenciales were allowed to open for business again on Monday, while the evening curfew from 8pm to 5am ended. The reopening of the borders came despite the territory recording 62 active Covid-19 cases – increasing by four people since the day before. American Airlines was the first carrier to land a commercial plane at Providenciales International Airport, with a second following shortly afterwards. American Airlines Flight 1279 touched down just after noon with 77 passengers aboard. The inaugural flight from Miami, Florida, was given a rousing water cannon salute by the TCI Airport Authority’s fire crew which added to the exciting atmosphere. Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson, Minister of Tourism Hon. Ralph Higgs, government ministers greeted guests while members of the clergy blessed the day’s proceedings. Some of the tourists told gathered media they were looking forward to heading to the beach after being greeted by blue skies and warm temperatures. Diana, one of the first visitors to arrive on the American Airlines

flight, said she was elated to visit the Islands again. “We were here in January and I’m so excited to be back. I didn’t realise we were the very first ones here and it’s so amazing. “I’m so glad to be a part of this. I like Turks and Caicos, it’s so beautiful.” When asked about her experience with the new systems implemented at the airport to curb the spread of the virus, Diana said it was a little tedious, but all worth it. “Everyone was trying to go slow and you have to show a lot of paperwork and ensure everything was safe which is perfect because you don’t want anybody to get sick here.” She added: “It just takes a little time and patience. Everyone wore their masks on the flight, nobody caused any drama.” Another visitor Courtney Talo said she could not wait to head to the beach. “I was so happy when that plane landed, I couldn’t believe I was in Turks and Caicos already. “It’s so wonderful, the air is fresh and clean and I just want to soak up that lovely sunshine at the beach tomorrow.” Eighteen private jets also landed on Wednesday through the Government’s fixed based

operations, with the help of Provo Air Centre and Blue Heron. Following the four-month lockdown, the Government crafted a phased reopening strategy which applied differently to each island depending on their status of the epidemic. As such, the other islands reopened weeks before Providenciales. Although the main airport is now open, the Grand Turk Cruise Centre will remain closed until at least September 30. ‘ABSOLUTELY CONFIDENT’ Minister of Tourism Hon. Ralph Higgs spoke to the Weekly News on Wednesday about the reopening of the territory’s borders. He said it was a necessary decision, made with great consideration for the livelihood of the TCI’s citizens. “We’re absolutely confident,” he said, “if we weren’t we wouldn’t open. “People’s health is number one and everything that we did, every decision, every protocol that we implemented was taken with our peoples’ best interest in mind obviously, their health.” He underscored that the CONTINUED 


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TC Weekly News July 25 - 31, 2020 by TC Weekly News - Issuu