Mask mandate lifted, no COVID test required for entry to Jamaica
From Friday, visitors to Jamaica will not be required to present a negative COVID-19 test in order to enter the country, according to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).
Additionally, people in enclosed public spaces will no longer be mandated to wear a mask.
The ease in both the pre-test arrival mandate and mask-wearing requirements follows the expiration of the measures which were implemented for the period March 18 to April 15, 2022 under the Public Health Enforcement Measures (COVID-19) Order 2022.
All other measures under the order will remain unchanged.
Therefore, still in place are the requirement for people who test positive for COVID-19 to isolate at their abode until they have recovered; and a requirement for owners or operators of businesses, places of worship, educational institutions or other establishments to which the public has access to ensure that handwashing stations, or hand sanitizing equipment, are placed and maintained at the entrance of the premises as well as a requirement for people entering the premises to wash or otherwise sanitize their hands upon entry.
Directions relating to the conduct of COVID-19 testing and the handling of samples and reports by private laboratories; and provisions to protect the identity of persons who test positive for COVID-19 also remain.
Meanwhile, Jamaicans are being reminded that while current case numbers are relatively low, the COVID-19 pandemic has not ended as new variants and sub-variants of the virus continue to emerge.
A number of countries are experiencing increases in case numbers arising from the spread of the BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron.
“The public is therefore urged to continue to exercise caution and voluntarily observe the infection prevention and control measures including wearing masks in enclosed spaces to protect themselves as well as family members, particularly those who are most vulnerable,” the OPM statement said.
The Government said it will continue to monitor the situation and respond as required through changes in the measures to preserve lives and livelihoods.
Source- CMC
Motion Picture Academy bans Will Smith from attending any Academy event for 10 years
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has determined that Will Smith will be banned from attending any of its events -- including the Academy Awards -- for a decade.
In a statement, the Academy noted Friday, "The 94th Oscars were meant to be a celebration of the many individuals in our community who did incredible work this past year; however, those moments were overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behavior we saw Mr. Smith exhibit on stage."
It continued, "During our telecast, we did not adequately address the situation in the room. For this, we are sorry. This was an opportunity for us to set an example for our guests, viewers and our Academy family around the world, and we fell short -- unprepared for the unprecedented."
"Today, the Board of Governors convened a meeting to discuss how best to respond to Will Smith's actions at the Oscars, in addition to accepting his resignation. The Board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards."
The statement also expressed its, "deep gratitude to Chris [Rock] for maintaining his composure under extraordinary circumstances," and thanked "our hosts, nominees, presenters and winners for their poise and grace during our telecast."
Smith resigned from the Academy last week, prior to the decision, saying, "I will fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct. My actions...were shocking, painful, and inexcusable."
A "heartbroken" Smith, who also posted an apology to the Academy and Rock the Monday after the Oscars, apologized to the "long list" of "those I have hurt," including Rock..."his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home."
Smith added, "Change takes time and I am committed to doing the work to ensure that I never again allow violence to overtake reason."
Leader of the Opposition, Honorable Edwin A. Astwood says" They cannot handle the work"
They cannot handle the work.
The PNP Government after being elected into power as the Government of the TCI have shown the people that they cannot handle the work. After 420 days into Office it is now quite clear that the workers the people hired on February 19th, 2021 are not the same workers who showed up for the job.
The objective “we come for this work” was all over each of their resume which convincingly got them on the job, but now that they are on the job it is quite clear they cannot handle the work, for which they were hired.
The people in this country are hurting more than ever before because this PNP administration does not understand the hardship and the real problems that are facing real people.
The minister of finance loves to talk about a “Booming” economy and a country doing extremely well, and people living “their best lives” but sadly he along with the honorable Premier and other members of this government are talking about a prosperous economy that does not exist for most Turks and Caicos Islanders.
Pricing is increasing daily it is now harder for the average Turks and Caicos Islander to providing for and put food on the tables for their families to eat. While this administration got the nerve to brag and boast about people in the TCI “living their best lives”? Honorable Premier and Honorable Minister of Finance, let me remind you that a country in which its people are struggling to make ends meet and provide for themselves and their families, is not one in which you can say “the people are living their best lives” but instead it is a country in which the Government is not handling the people’s work.
Over a year ago the People spoke; this PNP Government walked into Office with everything ready to go; They were handed this country on a golden platter, projects tendered and awarded, money in the bank, new development agreements, policies, and a prepared blueprint to move this country and its people ahead were all in motion and ready to go.
But instead of taking the realm of Government from day 1 as the great workers, they claimed they were on the election trail. They believe that the effective way of running a country is to talk ”the work” and not do “the work”.
We have seen that this high level of inflation is not transitory, and strong policies and measures must be put in place immediately. These Band-Aid measures that this PNP government is putting in place and promoting are not going to work to combat inflation, The measures do very little to lower the cost of goods and services. We need to see a fundamental change in policy and structures that will ensure any concession and tax write-off to suppliers will create real savings down to our people.
Many of our people in the TCI are running out of money long before payday. And in all this, wages and pay are off pace with inflation. Everything that we are earning is being wiped out by the high prices everywhere. This government must get to work and do something about this.
Our people can no longer afford to go to the grocery stores only to pick up an item look at it and put it back down because the price is too expensive for them to purchase. Our people can no longer tolerate having to choose whether to pay their mortgage or buy food for their children.
Our people can no longer bear having to sell their hard earn possessions just to keep a roof over their heads. And if the hard financial strain on families is not enough, violent crimes are at an all-time high, and even with the gun amnesty- crimes committed with guns are at an all-time high.
Too many innocent men and women across the country are being robbed, hurt, or killed, and too many homes and properties are being burglarized.
With this increase in crime, detection, and prosecution of those committing crimes are at an all-time low, and our Premier remains silent as a mouse.
This PNP administration’s Band-Aid crime measures are doing nothing to address the present crime situation, and do not address the root causes of crime.
Our national security is at the highest risk level than it has ever been. Aside from people, more and more guns and drugs are coming. Whatever the number of illegals that are intercepted is, there is about three times that number that get through undetected. And as more and more illegal persons call home and let their family and friends know that they made it, the numbers will only increase. It is becoming an overwhelming situation for our border control agent. And again, our Premier remains as silent as a mouse.
This PNP administration’s inability to effectively tackle the issues outlined has led me to one conclusion, that they simply do not have the mental readiness required to tackle the job the people hired them to do. And without serious interventions being put in place, sadly, our people’s issues will continue to be ignored and our economy is poised to worsen.
So, I close with the same sentiments I started with, and stated all through this document, “This PNP Government, just cannot handle the country’s work”
World Health Day is celebrated annually on April 7th.
"In the face of the current pandemic, a polluted planet, and an increasing incidence of diseases, the theme for World Health Day 2022 is Our Planet, Our Health. This call from PAHO, the WHO, and partners, presents a unique opportunity for a green and healthy recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, that puts the health of individuals and the planet at the center of actions and fosters a movement to create societies focused on well-being" (Pan American Health Organization).
The Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit would like to encourage everyone to be more aware of the impact we make on the planet as individuals. Each of us can make a decision to positively or negatively impact our environment. We must think about the future generations to come, and what will become of our planet if we dump waste indiscriminately, recklessly cut down trees, litter our beaches and streets, dump chemicals into our water streams...
The World Health Organization has emphasized that non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and cancer, have collectively contributed to over 70% of all deaths globally, an alarming 41 million people! Of this 41 million, 15 million of the deaths were of persons between 30 and 69.
The Minister of Health and Human Services, Hon. Jamell Robinson, in his remarks regarding World Health Day stated that “The Turks and Caicos Islands are at risk of more frequent hurricanes of increased intensities, simply due to environmental threats of climate change, contributed by human impacts. Flooding from increased rainfall can be intensified due to littering and indiscriminate dumping of waste in our oceans or locations near to our water courses that eventually end up in our seas. Diseases in our communities are rising due to physical inactivity, instances of alcohol abuse and unhealthy diets.”
Hon. Robinson also encouraged the people of Turks and Caicos “to keep our environment clean and take pride in our surroundings by not littering, use the bins are nearby, take your waste back to your vehicle for discarding at home if waste bins are not available outdoors. Engage in walking, riding your bike, swimming, to increase your physical movements. Get your blood pressure and blood sugar tested frequently. Eat less processed food and more fruits, vegetables and ground foods.”
The Minister reiterated that “The TCI is beautiful by nature and it is our responsibility to ensure our beautiful environment is protected and preserved, not just for our generation but the generations to come!”
In commemoration of World Health Day, the Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit would like to remind everyone that our health and our planet are our responsibility. We can make simple lifestyle changes that can collectively cause a significant positive impact in our country and in the world.
CXC launches new education tool
The Barbados-based Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has launched a new Data Intelligence Gateway online platform that it says will allow it to serve its regional stakeholders more efficiently.
“No institution can prosper at this moment in our history without deep engagement in the digital culture, especially institutions in the area of knowledge creation and management and reproduction, especially institutions like the CXC,” said CXC chairman and Vice-Chancellor of the University iof the West Indies, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles.
“Therefore, when we developed the CXC’s strategic development plan in 2020, it was clear to us that digital transformation would have to play a critical part in the immediate future of the institution. We recognised this in the conversations around this strategic plan and we insisted upon the development of a central role in the role of digital applications, management, and sustainability of the institution’s operations. We could not enact resilience building and sustainability without the full embrace of the digital culture.”
He told the ceremony that optimising stakeholder engagement and empowering the Ministries of Education and other stakeholders across the region with the capacity and capability to make informed decisions at the level of policy, strategic management and tactical interventions for performance improvement of the regional education system, was critical.
“This product, this tool, this is the solution that CXC’s management has brought to the fore of this day,” Sir Hilary added.
The CXC said that the new gateway is a central website that will provide dashboards of various categories of information. It will allow Ministries of Education across the region and examination centres to access necessary information such as statistics on electronic school-based assessments (e-SBAs), registrations, and results.
CXC registrar and chief executive officer, Dr Wayne Wesley, said the regional examinations body is undergoing digital transformation aimed at providing improved and more efficient services.
“Digital transformation is more than a catchphrase for us at CXC, it is our vision. As this year marks our 50th anniversary of serving the region, CXC’s vision is to become a digitally transformed enterprise providing quality, relevant, and globally recognised educational services.
“Accordingly, CXC is transforming for greater regional impact and we are doing this through our e-transition framework,” he said.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Education Minister Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, told the launch that many aspects of life had changed and digital technology is at the center of these changes.
“The changes to how we teach, we learn, communicate, bank even how we are entertained are viewed widely as irrevocable. We are not the same people after the COVID experience, not the same societies and this is simply not the same world”.
The Education Minister said that the new generation demands a different lifestyle and it is left to the policy makers, administrators and educators of today to prepare young people for the jobs that in some instances do not yet exist.
She said that the remnants of the baby boomers and generation “X” have tried in vain to resist this wave of change “but the time left for holding on the old ways is gone.
“This initiative of the CXC provides a lead in the region and we must support and follow,” she said, adding that policies and systems that served the region prior to the COVID-19 pandemic must change in keeping with the changing global environment.
Source- CMC
CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
The Department of Social Development and Welfare in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Public Utilities and Transportation join the rest of the world in recognizing the month of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. During this time a commitment is made to reexamining strategies to support children and families well-being in raising awareness for preventing child abuse and neglect. The Turks and Caicos Islands and globally observes this month under the theme “Children are our tomorrow care for them today”. As a Christian nation, we are reminded by God throughout the Bible, that children are a precious gift, and as adults, we have the privilege and moral obligation to nurture our children into holistic individuals, who are capable of living the full and abundant life God desires for them. Honourable Otis Morris, Minister with responsibility for Social Development & Welfare said, “Children are and will always be our tomorrow; therefore, as a society, it is encouraged that we pledge our solidarity to instil the necessary tools that will help prepare our precious and priceless generation to become the leaders of tomorrow, by being a champion in their lives and a voice that speaks up on their behalf. Caring for our children requires a safe village approach to nurturing them and ensuring they are safe from all forms of abuse, neglect and abandonment. Know the signs and report all suspected child abuse to the relevant authorities. Prevention is always better than cure.” We are also reminded to Teach our children how to love, be kind, Honest, Grateful, Humble, teach them responsibilities, praise their achievements, be a good listener to them, impart knowledge on them and lastly but most importantly, to “practice what we preach” Be the Role Model and Model the behavior we desire for them.
As the Department of Social Development and Welfare continues its mandate in child protection and safeguarding we request your commitment in fighting this battle with us. “No Child left behind” should be the motto echoed throughout our communities, as we are reminded that no one person or entity is responsible for raising children. It is the collective responsibility of all adults to play their part in being the village that raises healthy, happy, productive, respectful Turks and Caicos Islanders.
Listed below are the upcoming Activities for April - Child Abuse Prevention month 2022
April 8 Social Workers to visit schools and conduct educational sessions (Provo, North/Middle Caicos; Grand Turk and South Caicos)
Child Abuse Prevention text messages to be disseminated through our partners Digicel and Flow
Set up Parent Resource Library
April 10 Blue Sunday throughout the Churches in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention month
April 15 Blue Day for All Public and Private Sector
Planting of Blue Pinwheels at various location throughout Provo
Feet in the Street-distribution of brochures to spread awareness
April 22 My Body, My Responsibility - “The Lady In Me” Seminar on Provo
April 26 Art Competition North/Middle Caicos at the Kew Community Center
April 26 Prayer Vigil, Poster and Jingle competition in Grand Turk
April 29 Art Competition at Ethel Ingram in Provo
April 30 Balloon release in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month
Remember Child abuse is Everybody’s Business! If you see something, say something! Break the Silence! Let’s End Child Abuse.
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT & UNICEF HOST THE LADY IN ME VISION BOARD WORKSHOP AND BRUNCH
In keeping with its mission to facilitate development and self-
sufficiency among the people of Turks and Caicos Islands, the
Department of Social Development and Welfare in partnership
with UNICEF hosted its annual The Lady in Me programme on
the island of South Caicos on 31 March.
The programme reached 21 female students from forms 1 and
2 at the Marjorie Basden High school and sought to create a
space where these young ladies can interact with, learn from
the experience of older women and be inspired and
empowered to greatness.
The programme which was hosted at the East Bay Resort saw
young ladies participating in capacity building sessions on
topics such as "Goal setting and achievable steps" and "Your
thoughts become your reality". The young girls helped in
identifying presenters from the community of South Caicos who
they would like to speak to them. Miss Kiatana Robinson and
Miss Maria Clare, women of the soul spoke vibrantly and
informatively into these young ladies lives.
The day culminated with the girls creating vision boards
outlining their personal goals and aspirations and with a
commitment to focus on and achieve those goals.
Commenting on the workshop, Director Tiffany Thomas-
Browne who was in attendance and a leading lady who grew up
in South Caicos said that everyone needs someone to
encourage and mentor them to their fullest potential. Persons
they can aspire to become and guide them in fulfilling their
goals and purpose in life through such positive interactions and
relationships. She said that the Vision Board workshop set out
to accomplish just that and to help the young ladies to believe
in writing their visions down and knowing they can achieve it.
She thanked her team who assisted in the preparation and
organization to ensure its success.
FISH FRY IS BACK
Island Fish Fry is set to return on April 14 th at the PTV
Headquarters at Stubbs Diamond Plaza in the Bight,
Providenciales.
The Island Fish Fry was last hosted two years ago in 2020
before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the islands and shut down
the local event. The event will resume its weekly hosting every
Thursday evening at the Stubbs Diamond Plaza,
Providenciales.
The Island Fish Fry will feature over a dozen restaurants and
souvenir stands, a live band, and cultural performances to bring
a celebration of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
That’s the end of local news, stay tuned for news in the region.
Jao Felix on the road amongst the greatest
After two and a half years of flattering to deceive, Joao Felix is finally starting to look capable of becoming one of the best players in the world.
It wasn't supposed to take this long.
In the 2018-19 campaign, Felix scored 20 goals and provided eight assists for Benfica to become the most coveted teenager in football, winning the Golden Boy award given to the game's most exciting young player. It tempted Atletico Madrid to splash out £113m - the fourth-highest transfer fee in history - on a player who was still only 19.
He was expected to explode into global superstardom, but it didn't happen. After scoring just four goals in his first 22 starts for Atletico, the Portuguese lost his place in the team and has struggled to get it back ever since.
True, Felix was part of Atletico's title-winning team last season. But he didn't play a particularly significant part, especially in the decisive stages of the campaign as he failed to start or score in any of the final eight La Liga games.
The widespread conclusion was that Atletico boss Diego Simeone simply did not trust Felix, whose technically gifted, but physically-deficient profile, has rarely made him look like a natural fit for the exuberant Argentine coach.
One obvious criticism of Felix is a less-than-wholehearted attitude off the ball. So far this season, for example, he has averaged 9.1 pressures of the opposition per game, only slightly more than 35-year-old Luis Suarez (8.3) and far fewer than fellow forwards Antoine Griezmann (21.5), Matheus Cunha (20.4) and Angel Correa (19.5).
For a coach such as Simeone, who values work-rate and tenacity above all other attributes, that will always be a problem - especially when combined with Felix's undeniable creative ability on the ball only making sporadic appearances.
As recently as six weeks ago, it seemed inevitable this would become another season to pass Felix by. He had only started six league games out of 24 and his nimble talents appeared to be the last thing on Simeone's mind as he attempted to guide his team out of a slump that had seen them lose seven of their last 12 games.
A trip to Osasuna on 19 February, however, proved to be an unexpected turning point both for Felix and the team.
He was selected to start, scored after just three minutes and later provided an assist for Suarez's second in a 3-0 win. Four days later, he started again in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 meeting with Manchester United - and again scored an early goal, a leaping near-post header to give David de Gea no chance.
Since then, Felix has stayed in the team - making eight consecutive starts for the first time in more than two years - and continued to deliver the goods: two goals in a 3-1 win at Real Betis, an early strike to help defeat Cadiz, a prominent role in the build-up to Renan Lodi's tie-winner at Old Trafford; an assist for Koke's winner at Rayo Vallecano and another brace in Saturday's 4-1 victory over Alaves.
Madrid-based football journalist Euan McTear, who wrote a book on Atletico's 2014 title triumph, believes there's still a lot more to come.
"I don't think it's a coincidence that his recent run of good form has coincided with a run of consecutive starts," McTear told BBC Sport. "He needs to start each day at the office well and that's easier to do from the starting line-up.
"We have to remember he's still only 22, so he isn't supposed to be the team's leader yet. But, there's no doubt that, in time, he will be the star man for the club - that's why he signed a contract until 2026. Even if some say he isn't at the right club, he can still become one of the best in the world."
As noted by McTear, there is an ongoing debate Felix may only be able to truly flourish away from Atletico - and the defensive discipline demanded by Simeone.
Despite his struggles to justify his price tag for Atletico, Felix's ball-playing talents have always been obvious and he still has plenty of admirers. Only last week Barcelona president Joan Laporta admitted he attempted to bring Felix to the Nou Camp in a swap deal with Griezmann last summer, and it's easy to see the logic in such a move.
Conversely, other observers counter Felix's mercurial talents are exactly what Simeone needs to take Atletico to the next level, moving away from the old reliance on ground-out 1-0 slugfests and developing a more attractive, expansive style of play.
Recent results - six consecutive league wins plus the Champions League triumph against Manchester United with Felix in the starting line-up - support that argument.
And although his longer-term future remains in some doubt, right now Felix is clearly in the best form of his Atletico career - and arguably their most important player.
A pair of strong performances to defeat the mighty Manchester City could propel him to the next level.
Source- BBC
'Slap in the face says' Australian cricketer
A couple of months after they were dumped out of the 2017 World Cup, the Australia squad gathered to watch their semi-final defeat by India.
Battered, bruised and without a world title in any format in their trophy cabinet, Meg Lanning's team drew a line in the sand. They knew they were good, but not good enough.
"It was at that moment it slapped us in the face," says Lanning.
"We had to do something different otherwise we'd win most games, but not the really important ones.
"It was the catalyst for how we have changed the way we approach our cricket, on and off the field."
Lanning was speaking on a grey Monday in Christchurch, the day after she got her hands on the 50-over World Cup. It completed the set for Australia - they are now holders of both women's World Cups and the Ashes.
Their record-breaking final victory over England was an awesome display of power, the crowning glory of perhaps the best sports team on the planet.
For England, there is no shame in losing to such a dominant force. To ask why they were unable to stop the Aussies is like wondering if anyone could have beaten Arsenal's Invincibles, run faster than Usain Bolt or produce a routine better than Nadia Comaneci's perfect 10 on the uneven bars.
Sometimes, the opposition are just too good.
In Australia there are about 120 women playing professional cricket for at least part of the year, compared to a maximum of 70 in England.
That depth allowed Australia to absorb injuries to Sophie Molineux, Georgia Wareham and Tayla Vlaeminck without missing a beat at the World Cup. If England had suffered similar losses, then the group-stage exit would probably not have been averted.
A greater number of high-quality players in domestic cricket also helps those in the England team guard against complacency, providing a drive to improve that might not have been there when the number of elite female cricketers in the country totalled no more than 20.
The building blocks are there for England - a group of talented young players, a strong captain who hopefully still has more to give and a domestic set-up that should grow in both size and quality.
Now, they just have to use the memory of Australia celebrating with the World Cup in the Christchurch night as their motivation to not let it happen again.
To use Lanning's words, it should be England's slap in the face.
Source- BBC