Turks and Caicos walks back travel policy: Paper vaccination cards will be accepted
Editor's Note
One of the world's most idyllic islands and a popular vacation spot for Americans will now require all travelers visiting the island to be vaccinated.
Effective Sept. 1, Turks and Caicos will require all visitors, 16 years of age or older, to be fully vaccinated. Visitors are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the second dose of a two-dose vaccine. Vaccines currently approved are Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson, AstraZeneca, Spikevax and Vaxzevria.
Visitors to Turks and Caicos will need to show proof that they're fully vaccinated in one of three ways:
- Paper vaccination record, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-issued card
- A vaccination letter signed by a medical professional (physician or registered nurse with license number)
- Proof of vaccination printed from an electronic vaccination database
Although handwritten vaccination cards were temporarily prohibited, Visit Turks and Caicos reversed course on this decision on Aug. 19 to once again accept paper vaccination records.
Related: 6 things to know before you go to Turks and Caicos
All visitors will still be required to take a negative COVID-19 test no more than three days prior to arrival in the islands. However, the good news for families with young kids is that children under 10 are exempt from this requirement.
Related: COVID-19 vaccine required: A country-by-country guide to where you can only go while vaccinated
According to the Turks and Caicos government and Ministry of Health, travelers will still need a TCI Assured portal authorization form (includes a health screening questionnaire) that can be completed online before their flight; health insurance that covers COVID-19 medical costs and full hospitalization, doctors' visits, prescriptions, and air ambulance, in addition to the negative COVID-19 test result (PCR, NAA, RNA or antigen tests are valid).
Related: What it's like to visit the Turks and Caicos islands now
Once granted entry, no further COVID-19 tests are required and visitors are permitted to stay for up to 90 days. There is no mobile tracking app or daily health checks (as in some other Caribbean countries). Visitors are free to travel throughout Providenciales and the rest of the Turks and Caicos without restrictions during their stay.
Additional reporting by Caroline Tanner.
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