The Big Story

Watson urges govt to change two-week quarantine to 5 days NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The mandated 14-day quarantine period, coupled with the omicron COVID variant’s extreme transmissibility, has the potential to “cripple businesses” with staff shortages, one local businessman has warned. Affordable testing is widely available, with immediate results, so there is no need for such a long quarantine period. -...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Nassau Airport Development Company’s (NAD) top executive said yesterday the airport operator has not seen any pullback or significant cancelations attributable to the surge in COVID-19 cases. NAD President & CEO Vernice Walkine. NAD President and CEO Vernice Walkine told Eyewitness News: “We have not seen any pullback or any significant cancelations that can be attributed...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — While several law enforcement agencies have already undergone promotional exercises, Minister of State for the Public Service Pia Glover-Rolle on Tuesday assured customs officers they have not been forgotten and the process is underway. Minister of State for the Public Service Pia Glover-Rolle. Speaking to reporters outside Cabinet, Glover-Rolle said she started conversations with customs officers as...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Michael Darville on Tuesday defended the government’s decision to deny entry to the MSC Seashore cruise ship last week after several crew members and guests onboard tested positive for COVID-19. The denial was made despite the fact that the cruise line owns the private island of Ocean Cay. Speaking to reporters...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The US State Department is again warning its citizens to reconsider travel to The Bahamas in an increased travel advisory prompted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raising the country to a Level 3 due to the high level of infections. Health officials recorded 315 cases on Monday, taking the number of cases in...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas has suspended the planned mandatory RT-PCR testing requirement for vaccinated travelers, according to the Ministry of Tourism. The policy turnaround follows a warning last week from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that advised Bahamians to expect delays in obtaining COVID test results and flight cancelations during the holiday period due to rising cases. In a...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Nurses Union (BNU) President Amancha Williams yesterday expressed concern that without the government's intervention of more bed space, resources and staff at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), hospitalizations of COVID-19 cases could see the institution reach “breaking point”. “Of course, we’re headed to a breaking point and we need to be in a mode where we’re able...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Some 130 healthcare professionals in New Providence and Grand Bahama are out of the system due to exposure to COVID-19, according to Minister of Health Dr Michael Darville.  Darville was responding to questions from members of the media outside Cabinet regarding the delivery of healthcare following the confirmation of nearly 1,500 cases within the past few days. ...

Minister: It has been the source of legal action and debate, so we decided to just do away with it NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Island Luck CEO Sebas Bastian said yesterday that the patron tax on winnings introduced under the former administration “made no sense to begin with” and would have driven players back to the unregulated market.  Economic Affairs Minister...

Govt also asking private institutions to stick with virtual schooling for the time being NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of State for Education Zane Lightbourne advised yesterday that the ministry does not foresee the opening of schools to face-to-face as COVID-19 cases continue to increase. Speaking to reporters outside Cabinet, Lightbourne sought to explain why the blanket decision also included schools...

90% of production team contracted COVID NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture is set to re-air an edited version of the “Spirit of Junkanoo” after widespread criticism from the public over the virtual presentation broadcast on New Year’s Day. The hours-long virtual parade, which featured 14 Junkanoo groups in collaboration with the Junkanoo Corporation of New...

“Whatever changes are made, they will come to Parliament and it will all be all done in the light” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Davis administration is assessing the procurement legislation passed under the previous administration, according to Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis, who said yesterday: “We have to make sure the legislation makes sense.” Halkitis told reporters ahead of the...

Maura blasts CDC for warnings against cruises but not flights, sports events or shopping malls NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The emergence of the omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus as well as the US Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) recent warning against cruise travel have had no noticeable impact on business at the country’s primary cruise port thus far, according to...

More than 1k COVID cases confirmed in Bahamas in 72 hours NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Consultant Physicians Staff Association (CPSA) Vice President Dr John Dillett said the events and large gatherings leading up to and during the holidays are expected to result in an increase in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. But he noted that the association hopes to be proven wrong....

Inside sources reveal at least two more resignations expected  NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Senator Viana Gardiner, the former chief executive officer of the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit under the Minnis administration, has resigned from the Upper Chamber effective December 31, 2021. The senator was appointed last year under then Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr Hubert Minnis. It remains to be...

Halkitis says businesses with challenges should contact ministry NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As the 10 percent value-added tax (VAT) regime took effect on Saturday, Minister of Economic Affairs Michael Halkitis said the government expects the change to be a smooth process for retailers and consumers. He noted that meetings leading up to New Year’s Day gave the government confidence in a...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government has decided to repeal the patron winnings tax, according to Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis. He told Eyewitness News: “We have agreed to repeal the winnings tax. The tax on winnings will be no more and there will be no other adjustments to the gaming tax.” Michael Halkitis. The tax, which was implemented under the...

Cruise stays extra day at sea to make up for missed call on Ocean Cay Bahamas records highest-ever COVID cases on the same day NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The MSC Seashore was denied entry to Ocean Cay on Thursday after several crew members and guests onboard the cruise ship tested positive for COVID-19. A senior government official confirmed to Eyewitness News...