Coronavirus

WSC places indefinite moratorium on water disconnections NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) Chairman Dr Donovan Moxey said the power provider has not made a decision on whether it will follow suit with the Water and Sewerage Corporation and suspend disconnections amid the threat of the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. He was responding to a question from Eyewitness...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — San Salvador's Club Med will temporarily suspend its operations until April 26, the company has confirmed. In a statement responding to Eyewitness News inquiries, the resort said the precaution was taken in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Darrin Woods, the Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) president told Eyewitness News that...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas Department of Corrections has begun precautionary measures to protect against the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), according to the Commissioner of Correctional Services Charles Murphy, who yesterday said they are dealing with the matter as it develops. The move comes as other facilities and institutions throughout the country implement shutdowns after a 61-year-old Bahamian woman was...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) Darrin Woods yesterday said the union plans to sit with Atlantis management on how to ‘soften the blow’ for its staff amid the fallout from COVID-19 pandemic. The iconic property has asked its employees to voluntarily take vacation or two weeks of unpaid leave as the situation evolves....

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As the 2019/2020 crawfish season draws to a close this month, Bahamas Commercial Fishers Alliance (BCFA) vice-president Keith Carroll said the period has shaped up to be an ‘average’ one. Carroll noted that the fisheries sector was also concerned over the potential impact of the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. “We had a lot of bad weather but...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Sandals yesterday said it is still receiving reservations for travel amid global coronavirus pandemic, noting it is confident the ‘shift’ in booking patterns is temporary. Responding to Eyewitness News inquiries, the resort said: “We are in the height of our returning guest season and guest and staff reports are very positive.  After nearly 40 years in business,...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The country's first COVID-19 patient is reportedly in stable condition as health officials work to retrace her steps and assess the extent of public exposure. Health Minister Dr Duane Sands confirmed the patient's condition in an interview with Eyewitness News, but stopped short of discussing emerging details over the woman's track to containment at Princess Margaret Hospital...

Paradise Island resort discontinues use of fingerprint swipe NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Atlantis Resort and Casino on Paradise Island is asking their staff to volunteer for two weeks unpaid leave effective immediately, as it battles the impending impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The resort has also asked employees to take earned vacation days as the resort “manages through this as situations...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Carnival has been postponed due to safety concerns over the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Organizers released a press statement announcing the road march and related events have been sidelined after the country recorded its first confirmed case on Sunday. "The health and safety of our supporters is of paramount concern for The Polantra Media Group, The Bahamas...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Nassau Cruise Port said its construction plans will not be derailed by the COVID-19 fall-out. Demolition of the warehouse at the port is expected to get underway by month’s end subject to the necessary approvals. The NCP began operations last October as part of a consortium comprising Global Ports Holding Plc, the Bahamas Investment Fund (BIF)...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Doctors and nurses stationed at the Accident & Emergency (A&E) Department and the Fleming Street Clinic last Friday have been asked to self-quarantine, Eyewitness News can confirm. The move follows the announcement of country's first confirmed case of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country. A key source confirmed the doctors and nurses, as well as A&E staff,...

All schools closed for a month UK, Ireland and Europe added to travel ban NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday declared that the country’s response to the global spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) is “the greatest national priority” as he announced government measures to mitigate local transmission. Minnis’ comments came after a 61-year-old Bahamian woman was confirmed as...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) Chairman Dr Donovan Moxey said the power provider is more than prepared to handle increased demand on the grid as health officials urge the public to implement self-containment measures to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) Health officials confirmed the country's first case, a 61-year-old Bahamian woman, on Sunday. BPL is...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS-  The COVID-19 global pandemic has led oil explorer Bahamas Petroleum to delay drilling of exploration well Perseverance-1, the company has said. The company now anticipates that it will spud a well in late May/early June. It was previously expected to do so in April 2020; however, BPC pointed to limited access to necessary supplies necessary, along with restrictions...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The private sector will now need to be ‘more nimble’ to adapt to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19), according to Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) chief executive Jeffrey Beckles. Beckles hailed Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’s plan to consult with major private sector entities on a national response as a ‘step in the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Obie Ferguson said he is “very disappointed” the umbrella union has not been included in the government's coronavirus (COVID-19) response plans. However, Ferguson said the TUC, which represents thousands of workers across the country, stands ready and prepared to lend its assistance. He was referring to the government's National Coordination Committee on COVID-19,...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The infected cruiseliner blocked from docking in The Bahamas over the weekend, has now isolated 40 people with influenza-like symptoms on board. The Braemar cruise ship is carrying five persons who have tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19), and a doctor was said to be among those now in isolation. The Bahamas-flagged vessel, which is carrying 682...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamian tourism industry stakeholders are bracing for significant downturn in businesses as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt the global tourism and travel industry. Tourism and Aviation Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar told Eyewitness News the Prince George Dock will be closed until cruise lines resume their call. D'Aguilar furthered the country can expect ‘significant’ economic fall-out from the...