What is a COVID-19 PCR Test?

While the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) reopened international flights six months ago, there were a few new entrance requirements that we’ve documented previously. One of the most misunderstood was the requirement to provide a negative result to a COVID-19 PCR test within five days of your travel date. We’ve received many questions about rapid tests vs. PCR tests so we thought we might provide a bit more help to our future guests with this post.

The system that allows tourists to legally enter TCI is called TCI Assured; a free online portal that makes it easy for travelers to submit required health and insurance documentation for entry into Providencialis airport (10 minutes from Villa Oasis). As expressly conveyed on the portal, all visitors over the age of 10 are required to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test. Other tests that include antibody, antigen or rapid tests are not valid for travel to TCI. As has been commonly reported, unless you already have COVID symptoms, the PCR tests are more accurate than rapid tests and considered to be the “gold standard” for testing currently.

Further, only certain accredited labs can provide these PCR tests for travel and can submit your results into the TCI Assured system. To find the testing lab nearest you that is accredited by the College of American Pathologist, please visit PassportHealthUSA.com. This is an important step since we want to make sure that your travel is not delayed because your negative test isn’t delivered by a lab that TCI Assured recognizes.

Our Villa Oasis manager, Romeo, looks forward to your visit this year and takes the greatest health precautions in between guest stays. We only ask that you and everyone within your group follow the protocols our government has established for tourists visiting our islands. Once you’ve all finally arrived you’ll find Villa Oasis to be exactly what we’ve always promised; Your Island Home Away From Home!
Contact us today to discuss available dates for 2021 and 2022!

Before flying to Turks and Caicos, you’ll need to create a free profile on the TCI Assured travel portal to maintain your health test and insurance records!