According to the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board, the destination will accept proof of immunization in either digital or physical form, including the CDC’s reminder cards with handwritten dates and lot numbers. Along with the previously stated Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson/Janssen, and AstraZeneca vaccines, Turks and Caicos will accept variants labeled Comirnaty (Pfizer), Spikevax (Moderna), and Vaxzevria (Moderna) (AstraZeneca).
As the summer draws to a close, the paradisiacal Caribbean islands of Turks and Caicos—revealed in recent research to be one of the most sought-after locations among American visitors right now—will alter its entrance criteria.
With the Delta variety causing a new outbreak in the United States and internationally, Turks and Caicos will add a new requirement to its current set of entry restrictions, requiring that all tourists aged 16 and older be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
The order takes effect on September 1, and the authorized vaccinations for the British Overseas Territory are those manufactured by Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, or Johnson & Johnson/Janssen. A person is considered “fully vaccinated” if they have received the final dose of an authorized vaccination series at least 14 days prior to their arrival in Turks and Caicos.
Only two types of immunization documentation will be accepted:
—A doctor’s immunization letter, coupled with the doctor’s registration or license number.
—Certificates that have been produced or that have been retrieved from an electronic immunization database.
It is important to note that handwritten vaccination cards, such as those given by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will not be recognized as proof of immunization.
All visitors to the islands will continue to be required to meet existing entrance criteria, which include providing a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival (although children under the age of 10 are exempt from this requirement).
Previously, the testing window was five days and only PCR tests were approved; however, the window has been reduced to three days and all test types are now acceptable, including PCR, NAA, RNA, and antigen tests from any certified lab.
Turks & Caicos continues to compel all international tourists to obtain travel insurance that includes coverage for COVID-related occurrences if they get the virus during their visit. Coverage must include medical treatment, doctor visits, medications, inpatient hospitalization, and, if necessary, air ambulance transfer.
Additionally, they must receive pre-travel permission via the TCI Assured site before boarding their aircraft. They must register with their personal information and passport number, submit their negative test results and proof of insurance that covers COVID-19 coverage, and complete a health screening questionnaire.