Her Excellency the Acting Governor, Anya Williams, chaired the 2nd meeting of Cabinet on Monday 1 March 2021 at the Office of the Premier, Hilly Ewing, Providenciales.
All members were present.
At this meeting Cabinet:
· Approved the revocation of the $200 Household Relief Stimulus Program and agreed on steps to ensure the re-distribution of existing funds in support of new stimulus programs.
· Approved a Citizen Relief Program of $11 million from the Covid-19 Stimulus Program and Contingency fund, enabling income assistance and relief of $1,000 to be paid to all eligible Turks and Caicos Islands Status Holders and British Overseas Territory Citizens permanently resident in the Turks and Caicos Islands within the last 12 months.
· Approved the exemption of Customs Import Duties on the importation of Personal Protective Equipment, Cleaning, Hygiene and Sanitation Supplies for a period of 6 months commencing March 3, 2021.
· Approved the waiving and write off of late fees or penalties through to 28 February 2021 on all outstanding contributions to the National Health Insurance Board owed by subscribers.
· Approved the waiving and write off of additional charges on late payment of National Insurance contributions by employers and self-employed persons, up to and including 28 February 2021.
· Approved contractual terms for Mr. Delton Jones as Director of Ports and noted the need for a review of the steps being taken to implement the recommendations from the Statutory Boards’ Review Report.
· Were updated on progress with the TCI – Bahamas Maritime Law Enforcement MOU and Shiprider Agreement.
· Approved the release of escrowed funds confiscated on behalf of the United States of America from the National Forfeiture Fund for transfer back to the United States Government Department of Treasury.
· Approved an extension of the Chairperson of the Procurement Board to 31 March 2021.
· Were updated on the state of the nation and discussed measures to further address and mitigate against any escalation of Coronavirus (Covid-19).
· Approved funding required for the efficient and effective roll out of the second tranche of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine to residents of the TCI.
Approved the following extensions or new measures with effect from midnight on Tuesday 2 March until 5am on Wednesday 17 March 2021 unless otherwise stated:
a) Night curfew on all islands from 23.00 (11pm) to 05.00 (5am),
b) All businesses on all islands to be closed by 22.00 (10pm),
c) Bars and restaurants to be limited to 30% of normal capacity both indoors and outdoors for sit-down only. No congregating around bar and restaurant counters allowed,
d) Pleasure craft to be limited to 30% of normal capacity for excursions,
e) Religious places of worship to be limited to 30% of normal capacity,
f) Extended restrictions on Weddings and funerals as follows:
– limited to 20 persons,
– must be held outdoors, and
g) Extended a complete ban on public and private gatherings, sporting or social activity of any description on all islands, including on beaches.
· Approved amendments to the Turks and Caicos Islands Public and Environmental Health (Covid-19) (Control Measures) Regulations 2021 in order to facilitate protocols to be issued by the Ministry of Health for the ceremonial first sitting of the House of Assembly.
· Approved an expanded use of lateral flow devices, with medical oversight, for the use of Covid-19 surveillance purposes in the TCI.
