Coronavirus

Gov’t outlines measures to mitigate COVID-19 fall-out, no plans for add. borrowing High impact projections indicate potential $1 billion total economic loss, $832 million decline in lost tourism related expenditure Water and Sewerage ordered to reconnect all recently disconnected services for residential customers Utility bills deferred for three months for those who contract COVID-19, are quarantines or laid off. NASSAU,...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS - Deputy Prime Minister K Peter Turnquest has announced in Parliament fiscal plans for a COVID-19 safety net. Turnquest said the government will allocate an additional $11 million to cover detection treatment and other COVID19 activities. He said $4 million will be allocated to provide social support for workers directly impacted by the virus. This assistance will also target hotel workers who...

• Two more cases of COVID-19 confirmed in The Bahamas •Governor General signs proclamation order for public state of emergency on Tuesday •Churches suspend services and plan to move online NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis announced the country is in a public state of emergency as confirmed cases of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) rise to three people. Minnis...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Two additional cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in The Bahamas. The country now has three confirmed cases after a 61-year-old Bahamian woman tested positive for the virus on Sunday. Contact tracing stemming from the original COVID-19 patient, identified household members who recently travelled to Canada, Trinidad and Dubai. According to Minnis, a total of 30 people...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government is expected to introduce regulations in Parliament today that will allow sweeping executive powers once a public state of emergency is declared over the threat of COVID-19. A draft proclamation order, regulations and resolution obtained by Eyewitness News, and dated March 17, indicate the state of emergency could be extended for up to six weeks. The...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government is set to introduce sweeping anti-fake news regulations that would criminalize the sharing, posting or reposting of false information, reports or statement on any platform, including social media. According to a final draft of the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Regulations, 2020, obtained by Eyewitness News, the publication, posting or re-posting on any media platform, including social...

Both Houses of Parliament taking precautionary COVID-19 measures Anyone exhibiting “extreme” symptoms will be prevented from entering NASSAU, BAHAMAS — House of Assembly Speaker Halson Moultrie last night encouraged visitors of the House of Assembly and Senate to avoid the Upper and Lower Chambers and instead follow the proceedings via the parliamentary channel, amid increase precautions against the spread of...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A local bottled water company is urging Bahamians not to ‘hoard’ water in response to fears over the spread of COVID-19. Aquapure managing director Geoffrey Knowles told Eyewitness News the company has been selling ‘twice as much’ bottled water per day over the past several days. The COVID-19 fears have sparked panic buying and hoarding both abroad as...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The COVID-19 pandemic which has impacted travel globally will put ‘another dent’ in the revenue stream of the national flag carrier, Bahamasair chairman Tommy Turnquest acknowledged yesterday. His comments come as the Lynden Pindling International Airport’s (LPIA) operator said the airport is not closing for the foreseeable future. “Obviously it is going to put another dent into...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Some Dorian survivors residing at the Bahamas Academy Gymnasium shelter say they are relying on God to keep them safe amid growing fears of the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in The Bahamas. “I hear people talking about it, but God will save us,” said Rose Sinkgin, 52, who has resided at the shelter for the last...

Embassy supports social distancing measures, expanded travel restrictions NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Counselor and Spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Nassau Haigang Yin confirmed China will send The Bahamas medical supplies this week to help shore up its capacity as the nation combats the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). In an interview with Eyewitness News, Yin said the embassy was following...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Some residents in shantytowns throughout New Providence are unaware of the global coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, and have yet to take the necessary precautions to reduce its spread locally. The Bahamas is bracing for further impact of the global pandemic after recording its first confirmed case of the virus, which can cause severe respiratory illness, on Sunday. When...

Wholesalers confirm medicine supplies are healthy, more supplies en route Household supplies, such as cleaners and disinfectants, to be restocked within days NASSAU, BAHAMAS —Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis urged Bahamians and residents to stop panic buying food and hoarding supplies in reaction to news of the global COVID-19 pandemic. “There is no need for it,” Minnis said following a...

NCTUB says workers cannot afford to be pushed any closer to poverty line NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The National Congress of Trade Unions Bahamas (NCTUB) is urging lawmakers to consider relief measures to mitigate fallout from the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and asking businesses not to reduce work capacity to cut costs. NCTUB president Bernard Evans noted heightened national anxiety over...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Chief Justice Brian Moree today announced multiples measures for the judiciary’s coronavirus (COVID-19) mitigation protocol, including a reduction in the use of court buildings, enhanced cleanups and social distancing where possible. The protocols will be implemented effective March 18 – April 14. The move comes as institutions nationwide shutdown after the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The National Insurance Board has released a fact sheet to make clear how customers can access benefits if they contract the coronavirus (COVID-19) or are quarantined due to suspected or confirmed exposure. The board confirmed both the Sickness and Unemployement Benefits are payable. To access the Sickness Benefit, an individual must be employed on the day of...

Contact tracing search expands surrounding COVID-19 patient Lockdown of hospital to facilitate additional infection and prevention control protocols NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Delon Brennen confirmed last night the woman who tested positively for the coronavirus (COVID-19) after presenting at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) also visited the Fleming Street Clinic on Deveaux Street last week. Brennen, who...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Price Control Commission chairman Danny Sumner has slammed what he called ‘disgraceful’ and ‘unacceptable’ price gouging amid fears over the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Sumner suggested that prices on items such as Lysol and hand sanitizer had been marked up as much as 30-50 percent in some cases. The country recorded its first confirmed case...