Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 TURKS AND CAICOS Overall risk level High Reconsider travel Can be dangerous and may present unexpected security risks Travel is possible, but there is a potential for disruptions Overview Upcoming Events 01 September 2021 - 02 September 2021 Medium risk: Entry to be limited to vaccinated travellers only from 1 September – Update Effective 1 September, only travellers with a proof of a full vaccination against COVID-19 by a Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca or Johnson and Johnson vaccine at least 14 days prior to arrival will be allowed entry. A negative COVID-19 test no older than 72 hours and an insurance that covers COVID-19 are also required. Those in transit or under 16 years, medically exempted travellers and crew members are exempted. Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Turks and Caicos 2 Travel Advisories Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Turks and Caicos 3 Summary Turks and Caicos is a High Risk destination: reconsider travel. High Risk locations can be dangerous and may present unexpected security risks. Travel is possible, but there is a potential for severe or widespread disruptions. Covid-19 High Risk An uptick in infection rates prompted authorities to reimpose curfew measures from November 2020. A slight increase in infection rates was reported in July, although the rates have reduced considerably since February. A curfew remains in effect, however. International travel has resumed. Political Instability Low Risk A parliamentary dependency of the United Kingdom (UK), the Turks and Caicos Islands are led by Premier Washington Misick, the local representative who liaises with his British counterpart, Governor Nigel Dakin. The territory's status as a financial services hub has raised concerns over possible connections to money laundering and drug trafficking while a large influx of Haitian migrants has put a strain on resources. A slow recovery in tourism due to the COVID-19 pandemic will also challenge economic recovery and political stability. Conflict Low Risk There are no current disputes that portend possible international, state-sponsored, armed conflict as the Turks and Caicos has no territorial disputes and has good relations with most of its neighbours, with the UK responsible for defense. The exception being Haiti where relations are strained due to the large influx of illegal immigrants into the Turks and Caicos; the risk of conflict, however, is very low. Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Turks and Caicos 4 Terrorism Low Risk While radical religious terrorism remains a threat for the United Kingdom, the Turks and Caicos's comparative remoteness mitigates the threat of attack. There are no terrorist groups active in the territory and there have been no reported incidents of terrorism or threats made against foreign nationals or foreign interests in the territory. However, a large tourism industry provides a number of potential soft targets, particularly on Grand Turk. Unrest Low Risk Civil unrest is rare though small, issue-specific demonstrations do occur and are typically over development or economic activity. However, growing ethnic tensions between locals and the large Haitian diaspora mainly distributed on Providenciales, who have been blamed for job loss and rising crime rates, remains a potentially volatile issue. Crime Low Risk The Turks and Caicos have one of the lowest crime rates and one of the highest crimes-solved rates in the Caribbean. Pickpocketing and purse snatching can occur however, particularly on Providenciales. The territory serves as a transshipment point for drug trafficking, though associated violent crime is unlikely to affect foreign nationals. Natural and Environmental Medium Risk Hurricanes and tropical storms have the potential to cause damage and floodings to the islands, typically between June and November, though storms have formed as late as December in recent years. Emergency services are capable of handling minor emergencies but will struggle to cope with large-scale environmental disasters. Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Turks and Caicos 5 Health and Medical Moderate Risk A high standard of medical care is available at 24-hour trauma centres in Cockburn Town (Grand Turk) and Leeward Settlement (Providenciales), however access to quality healthcare in rural areas is extremely limited. Evacuation to the United States will be required for serious ailments outside of decompression sickness. There are periodic outbreaks of mosquito-borne viruses, and ciguatera poisoning is prevalent. Local Travel Low Risk Road conditions are generally good in both urban and rural areas, but potholes are more common on secondary roads. Serious accidents are on the rise on the Leeward Highway on Providenciales due to speeding and animal crossings, particularly at night. Taxis are the most reliable form of transport and are available on all islands. Ferries or air travel are required to move between the islands. Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Turks and Caicos 6 Political Overview : Low Risk Turks and Caicos is an internally self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom with a parliamentary democracy. Until 1962, the Turks and Caicos Islands remained under Jamaican jurisdiction, when the island nation assumed the status of a British crown colony. From 1965, the Bahamas governor oversaw the Turks and Caicos until Bahaman independence in 1973. The Turks and Caicos negotiated its own independence for 1982, but the decision was reversed, making Turks and Caicos a British overseas territory. The last constitution, signed on 15 October 2012, has given the island nation greater autonomy, but it remains under British rule with Queen Elizabeth II as the sovereign ruler; the United Kingdom restored direct rule in August 2009 citing a climate of corruption, misrule and administrative incompetence. Since July 2019, the Queen's representative has been represented locally by Governor Nigel Dakin who is responsible for heading the territory's interim regime under the direct rule system. In the territory's last general elections on 19 February, the opposition Progressive National Party (PNP) led by Washington Misick took a landslide victory securing 14 of the 15 contested seats and all five of the 'member at-large' seats in the House of Assembly. Voters rejected the incumbent People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) largely due to their inability to improve employment, reduce illegal immigration and complete reconstruction from the 2017 hurricane season. Consequently, in a major upset, outgoing PDM leader and the country's first female premier, Sharlene Cartwright Robinson lost her seat within the legislature. The economic recovery under Misick-rule will be bumpy amid a slow recovery in tourism due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Civil unrest in the Turks and Caicos is rare. Some tension may arise during elections, but the democratic process is well entrenched. Haitian immigration has led to some 10,000 Haitian inhabitants in the Turks and Caicos, comprising around 35 percent of the total population. It has put additional pressure on the job market and may be a source for petty crime, but crime is generally not a large problem on the islands. Increased levels of drug trafficking, however, have led to concern over the use of the island's financial services for money laundering purposes. There are no recent incidents Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Turks and Caicos 7 Conflict : Low Risk International Conflicts: Ongoing illegal immigration from Haiti has soured relations between Turks & Caicos and its southern neighbour. An average of 400 Haitians head to the archipelago every month as a stop off point in search of better economic opportunities in the United States. Many, however, end up staying in Turks and Caicos, particularly in shantytowns across the island of Providenciales, thus straining the local job market by allegedly taking away employment opportunities from locals. Native islanders or 'Belongers' also blame Haitian immigrants for increasing crime levels. Although tensions with Haiti over illegal immigration are expected to continue for the long term, leaders have addressed the issue through diplomatic means, making the possibility of armed conflict very unlikely. The islands are not engaged in any territorial disputes, and close cooperation with the UK assures little to no threat from other nations. Islanders hold British citizenship and enjoy strong economic and political links with Canada. Interpol also maintains a sub- bureau on Grand Turk island. International Alliances: Turks and Caicos is an associate member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Although an economic pact, CARICOM helps co-ordinate member states' foreign policy, thereby reducing the risk of conflict. The organisation's progress towards a single market and economy is expected to further mitigate possible confrontation in the future. Strength of Military Forces: The United Kingdom is responsible for defence and internal security [see United Kingdom Conflict]. In case of a national emergency or disaster, the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) is held accountable as the first responder. Riskline / Country Report / 29 August 2021 / Turks and Caicos 8 Terrorism International Terrorism: There is no evidence to suggest that the islands are targets for international terror attacks, or that they have been used as a haven by international terror organisations. However, the country's geographical