The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee has advised that due to limited supplies, vaccines will be limited to Bahamian citizens and permanent residents 18 years of age and over. In a statement late last night, the committed noted that proof of citizenship, permanent residency status or a work ID will be required at the vaccination site and...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Two private schools on New Providence shut their doors yesterday, barring face-to-face learning, after cases of COVID-19 were confirmed amongst the student populations. In a statement to parents and guardians, St Anne’s Principal Curt Hollingsworth said it was brought to the school’s attention at 9am that there were several students who tested positive for COVID-19. He said...

Party allegedly had some 300 guests, well past the 20 permitted under the Emergency Powers Order COVID-19 Enforcement Unit pleads with public to adhere to COVID protocols NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The promotors of a large party held over the weekend were cited nearly $100,000 in fines for an event with more than 300 people that went against COVID-19 protocols. In...

"We are being guided; the story is still being written" NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Despite concerns regarding the removal of testing restrictions for fully vaccinated individuals traveling into and throughout The Bahamas, Head of the National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis said yesterday the matter of transmission after vaccination is still being reviewed by the committee. Last week, Prime...

Wells says ministry moving into 21st Century in data collection efforts NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Health Renward Wells said yesterday health officials are looking into a faux pas that led to 85 previous cases of COVID-19 having to be added to the Ministry of Health's COVID Dashboard recently. “In the fog of war, sometimes some things fall through the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Director of Labour John Pinder said yesterday that the department has continued to receive complaints from employees on New Providence, Andros and other islands about employers increasing the COVID-19 testing schedule for employees who have not opted to vaccinate. The director suggested it is a move that reportedly incentivizes associates to take the vaccine. “There is a...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Port Department is looking at its current fee structure with a view to increasing some of them, the port’s controller said yesterday. Acting Port Controller Lieutenant Commander Berne Wright, while responding to questions during the Port Department’s DigiPay press conference, noted: “We are looking at the fee structure with the view to increasing some of them.”...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Royal Caribbean Group and Access Accelerator Small Business Development Centre have launched a financing program to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) in the tourism sector of The Bahamas. Royal Caribbean Group will provide a $250,000 donation to the Access Accelerator to establish a fund that will soon be providing small businesses on Grand Bahama,...

“What we are clearly doing is monitoring the uptake and revenue flows” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — While the government is anticipating a “revenue bump” due to the introduction of its digital payment platform, Acting Financial Secretary Marlon Johnson noted yesterday that it has not set any particular targets in light of what he described as an “anomalous period”. Johnson, while addressing...

Governing FNM the only party to get cold feet out of eight invited Party chairman claims debate format has “critical defects”; UB argues it levels the political playing field NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Free National Movement (FNM) has advised it will not participate in a series of national political debates being hosted by the University of The Bahamas (UB) in...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands said yesterday that with the loss of nurses in recent months, the battle against the third wave of the coronavirus in The Bahamas could be a “much more difficult battle”. Sands expressed concern about the growing infections, hospitalizations, deaths and the recent spike in the COVID positivity rate. (FILE PHOTO)...

Rolle says CCTV footage has been “instrumental” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — More than a week after six men were shot dead and a woman and a two-year-old child were injured in a mass shooting on Jerome Avenue, Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle said police are “making progress” with its investigation and continue to remain on “high alert” while seeking out those...

Second doses for COVID-19 Vaccine to start in two weeks NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Vaccinations for COVID-19 are open to all persons aged 18 and older, effective today. To date, 25,692 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine have been administered on New Providence, Grand Bahama, Eleuthera and Abaco. In a statement, the National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee said the appointment notice...

“I am not going to stand by and let someone destroy my character and livelihood in my country” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Captain Randy Butler, former CEO of Sky Bahamas, yesterday vowed to “fight to the very end” against “outlandish” claims that he defrauded two companies owned by the airline’s former financier of nearly $30 million. Butler told Eyewitness News he...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS  — Former Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands said there have been several people who have sought medical attention at Princess Margaret Hospital for conch poisoning in recent days, though it was unclear if the cases have been confirmed as Vibrio parahaemolyticus — a bacterium found on conch that affected dozens of people in 2018. “Unfortunately, there is...

Commercial Director Eytan Uliel to replace Potter as CEO Company still seeking to drill another exploratory well after initial failure NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) has undertaken a “reset” inclusive of a name change as well as changes to its board of directors and upper management, some two months after its exploratory well in Bahamian waters failed...

Investigators traveled to Florida on Sunday to continue investigation NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Investigators flew to Florida yesterday to continue their investigation into a plane crash off South Bimini over a week ago that injured an American pilot and killed his son. The aircraft took off from South Bimini International Airport en route to Opa-Locka, Florida, but the plane crashed in...

Archer: Bahamas fortunate to have received vaccines through COVAX Facility NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas is not likely to receive any other vaccine besides AstraZeneca, at least for the time being, according to Chairman of the National COVID-19 Vaccination Committee’s Logistics and Regulatory Sub-Committee Dr Gina Archer. Archer, who also serves as head pharmacist in the Department of Public Health,...