Turks and Caicos revises its travel policy: Paper vaccination cards will now be accepted.

This picturesque island, a favorite getaway for many Americans, will now mandate that all travelers be vaccinated.

Starting Sept. 1, all visitors aged 16 and older to Turks and Caicos must be fully vaccinated. Individuals are deemed fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the second dose of a two-dose vaccine. Currently approved vaccines include Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson, AstraZeneca, Spikevax, and Vaxzevria.

Travelers heading to Turks and Caicos must provide proof of full vaccination in one of the following three formats:

• Paper vaccination record, which includes the CDC-issued card from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• A vaccination letter signed by a licensed medical professional (physician or registered nurse with license number)
• Proof of vaccination printed from an electronic vaccination system

Despite a temporary ban on handwritten vaccination cards, Visit Turks and Caicos decided on Aug. 19 to once again allow paper vaccination records.

All visitors must still present a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than three days before arriving on the islands. However, families with children under 10 will be pleased to know that they are exempt from this requirement.

According to the Turks and Caicos government and Ministry of Health, travelers are still required to complete a TCI Assured portal authorization form (which includes a health screening questionnaire) online before their flight. They must also have health insurance that covers COVID-19-related medical expenses, including full hospitalization, doctor visits, prescriptions, and air ambulance, along with the negative COVID-19 test result (PCR, NAA, RNA, or antigen tests are accepted).

Once entry is granted, no additional COVID-19 testing is necessary, and visitors can remain for up to 90 days. There is no mobile tracking app or daily health checks required, as seen in some other Caribbean nations. Visitors are free to explore Providenciales and the rest of the Turks and Caicos without restrictions during their stay.