The Big Story

Super Value owner: We’re ready; I hope other retailers are Businesses have up to 90 days to comply or be in breach of law NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The business community will be ready to charge 10 percent value-added tax (VAT) come January 1, according to Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers' Confederation (BCCEC) Chief Executive Officer Waldon Russell. However, the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Education Glenys Hanna-Martin said yesterday that the ministry intends to directly target some 8,000 students who were inactive on the virtual learning platform throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in order to design education recovery strategies for their learning loss. Hanna-Martin’s comments came as officials advised that the reopening of schools will be postponed for two weeks...

Roberts says improved grocery store sales indicate the economy is recovering NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Super Value’s owner said yesterday that sales this Christmas were better than each of the past two years, noting that with a significant inventory stock, the food store chain hopes to hold back on full-scale price increases at least until March. Super Value Mackey Street. Rupert...

FDA warns that antigen testing less sensitive to Omicron  NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Individuals who may be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms but received a negative antigen diagnosis are being encouraged to follow up with an RT-PCR test amidst growing concern over the efficiency of rapid antigen tests to pick up the Omicron variant. On Tuesday, the United States FDA advised that early...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources said yesterday that an assessment of the state of the environment and any environmental impact resulting from the recent collision of a yacht and gas tanker will be carried out. It also noted that every avenue is being explored to ensure the marine environment has not been damaged or...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government has negotiated with the University of The Bahamas to convert its Grosvenor Close Nursing Building into a coronavirus virus treatment center capable of accommodating 100 patients. During a Ministry of Health and Wellness press conference yesterday, Minister of Health Dr Michael Darville outlined the government’s preparations to combat the fourth wave of the virus in...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Education Glenys Hanna-Martin said yesterday that she is awaiting the recommendations and advice of the Ministry of Health and its experts on the reopening of schools. This comes amid a surge of coronavirus cases that are thought to be the result of the more transmissible omicron COVID variant. The government had hoped to return to...

CDC recommends COVID test on fifth day after exposure but no quarantine for vaxxed & boosted individuals NASSAU, BAHAMAS — An individual exposed to the coronavirus in The Bahamas could see their quarantine period cut down in half if the government adopts the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) latest recommendations. Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Michael...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Amid the latest COVID rules preventing large gatherings, the police force will target “ad hoc” mass gathering events and not those offered under the premise of licenses such as resorts and their New Year’s events, according to National Security Minister Wayne Munroe. “If a hotel is running its facilities, they’re able to run their facility,” he said...

Forbes addresses immunity after COVID but maintains vaccination still offers the best protection against the virus NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The majority of individuals going to hospital for COVID-19 are presenting with cold-like symptoms, said Director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme Dr Nikkiah Forbes. Forbes’ comments come after The Bahamas recorded a record number of COVID-19 cases over...

Darville warns against repeat of Equinor oil spill in aftermath of Hurricane Dorian NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A local environmentalist yesterday urged the government to treat the collision and sinking of a gas tanker in waters north-northwest of New Providence last week “like a catastrophic event”. Save The Bays Chairman Joe Darville told Eyewitness News: “These types of incidents seem to...

Darville: New Providence appears to be the epicenter of the omicron variant NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Michael Darville said yesterday RT-PCR testing will be included in its ongoing pilot program that is soon to be launched on New Providence as coronavirus cases soar. However, the government has yet to reveal what its free testing program...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Davis administration hit its first 100 days in office over the weekend after a crushing defeat of the Free National Movement (FNM) at the September 16 polls. The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) swept the General Election, securing 32 of the 39 seats and nearly reversing the FNM’s 2017 sweep.  The PLP got 53 percent of the...

Contactless payments strongly encouraged especially amid pandemic NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Central Bank has begun consultation on a strategy to eliminate the use of all domestic cheques by the end of 2024, a move one local fraud expert described as a possible “game-changer”. The regulator yesterday said it has begun consultations with banks, credit unions and other payment services providers...

But Dr Forbes notes situation remains fluid NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Health officials are not suggesting a need for lockdown or more restrictive protocols as the country sees a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, according to Director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme Dr Nikkiah Forbes. In an interview with Eyewitness News, Forbes said: “That is not something that...

Collaborations include upskilling and training, internship and job placement, among others NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Doctors Hospital Bahamas (DHBL) and the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore opportunities for collaboration to their mutual benefit. Doctors Hospital. The MOU, valid for a period of five years initially, outlines a number of potential collaborations...

Central Bank: External reserves contracted by $113 million in November NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Total private sector areas fell by $23.8 million or three percent last month, according to the latest data from the Central Bank. The regulator, in its Monthly Economic and Financial Developments report for November, noted: “Commercial banks' credit quality indicators improved during the review month, as total...

No new approvals for large gatherings; all previous approvals suspended Health officials to make announcements on free testing and N-95 masks this week NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas had a record number of COVID-19 cases in a single day over the weekend, with 330 cases confirmed on Christmas Day, taking the number of cases in the country to 23,960. Health...