Turks and Caicos vacations from Canada or the USA in 2021
Those keen to travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands for a vacation in the pandemic era will no doubt have already seen in the new that both the Canadian Federal Government and the U.S.A. Center for Disease Control ( CDC) have just issued recent new travel regulations . These are effective from January 7th 2021 in Canada and January 26th in the USA. Both countries now require all travelers arriving in in the respective homelands to have a negative COVID-19 test prior to boarding their flight to to that country. For those who are considering visiting TCI from Canada or the U.S.A, it is important for you to know that this new announcement should have no impact on your decision to test as testing is now readily available in Providenciales.
Here is the information you need to know that will help you with your travel arrangements:
The Canadian travel requirements :
All persons flying into Canada aged five years and above need to take a COVID-19 molecular polymerase chain reaction (or PCR) test within 72 hours before their flight’s scheduled departure.A negative PCR test is required and written or electronic proof of the negative result must be shown to the airline prior to boarding the flight to Canada. The test must be a completed a lab accredited by “an external organization” like a local government or professional lab in the country where the traveler is flying out of.
The U.S.A requirements:
Effective January 26th 2021 all person aged 2 years or older arriving to the US from a foreign country are required to get tested no more than 3 days before their flight departs and to provide proof of the negative result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 to the airline before boarding the flight. This includes all US citizens and legal permanent residents, The test must be a viral test ( NNAT/PCR test. ) Airlines are mandated to refuse boarding to any passenger who does not provide a negative test result for COVID-19 or documentation of recovery.
Testing facilities in Turks and Caicos:
There are currently three fully operational testing centres in Providenciales which can provide the tests required for return to Canada. All of the centres are fully licensed under the Turks and Caicos Islands Health Practitioners Board and Business Licensing Bureau.
ACCU Diagnostics
C101 Cabot House, Graceway Plaza, Providenciales
+1 (649) 941-5629
https://www.facebook.com/…/ACCU-Diagnostics…/
Test cost – $185
Express service cost – $260
• Results are guaranteed to be emailed within 24 hours
• Express results have a 3-hour service for results
In-house testing (Hotel, Villas & Offices) by request at an additional cost of $125 for up to 5 people. For 5-10 people the cost is $200.
Grace Bay Medical Center
30 Allegro Road Box, Neptune Plaza, Providenciales
Tel: +1 (649) 941-5252
Website http://www.gracebaymedical.com/
• Test cost – $215
• Results available in – 36-48 hours
OmniCare Medical Clinic
Town Centre Mall, Downtown, Providenciales
Tel: +1 (649) 941-5050
Website: https://www.facebook.com/omnicaremedical/
• Test cost $150 USD
• Results available – 24-36 hours
Whilst this is not an ideal situation and adds an additional cost to consider, it is a measure that is needed in order to make the future of travelling safe for everyone. The sooner we are able to manage and defeat the pandemic the quicker we will all be able to enjoy travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands in a carefree and enjoyable way as before, The good news is that with testing readily available in Providenciales there should be no issue with planning a vacation to the Turks and Caicos Islands. We look forward to hosting your next stay. Let us know if you have any comments or concerns.
UPDATE: Feb 3rd 2021
The Islands government and the business community have been working hard to meet the needs of visitors in meeting the entry requirements of their respective home territories. The USA requires travelers arriving on incoming flights to the country from foreign territories to have COVID tests.
The CDC says Order which is effective from January 26th 2021 says:
“Passengers must be tested with a viral test that could be either an antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), such as reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP), and transcription-mediated amplification (TMA). The test used must be authorized for use by the relevant national authority for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the country where the test is administered. “
Source: CDC.GOV
There are now numerous businesses and organizations that are authorized and capable of providing these test to facilitate visitors return home and enable them to visit without issue.
The following is a list of approved venues that can provide offer test facilities:
Grace Bay Club Grace Bay Providenciales 1-649-946-5050
Flamingo Pharmacy Unit 105/6, Cabot House Graceway Plaza Providenciales
1-649-941-4527
Beaches Resort Grace Bay Providenciales
Associated Medical Practices 5a Windward Rd Providenciales 1-649-9464242
Grace Bay Medical Centre Neptune Plaza Providenciales 1-649-9415252
InterHealth Canada, Cheshire Hall Medical Centre Providenciales
OMNICARE Town Centre Mall Providenciales 1-649-9415050
FamilyCare Medical Services Ltd 121 Blue Mountain Rd Horizon House Unit B
Providenciales 1-649-4313262
Carolina Medical Clinic Town Centre Mall Providenciales 1-649-9464367
Many of the major resort hotel such as the Shore Club, Seven Stars, The Palms, Club Med and more are able to provide antigen tests. these are free for guests at the relevant resort of $50 fee for non-guests