The Big Story

Tourism: Further streamlining of entry protocols being assessed NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Tourism director general Joy Jibrilu yesterday American Airlines has decided to scrap its pre-flight COVID-19 tests on passengers to this destination. Jibrilu said tourism and health officials are looking to see how entry protocols can be streamlined even further to allow for a better visitor experience during the Exuma...

"We will do our best to not add to our National Debt" NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government is currently in discussions with The P3 Group Inc. over its pledge of assistance in restoration and rebuilding efforts post-Hurricane Dorian. In January, at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Hurricane Dorian Private Sector Pledging Conference, the company offered the government a $975 million lease-purchase...

Cases in New Providence surpass 5,000  NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Health officials have confirmed four COVID-19 related deaths and 37 new cases today. The number of confirmed cases in The Bahamas now stands at 6,644, with 142 COVID-related deaths and another 19 under investigation. The latest confirmed deaths include a 59-year-old man from Eleuthera, who died on October 6th; a  66-year-old...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Commonwealth Bank has reported that its total profit for the first half of the year was down nearly 19 percent compared to the same period in 2019. William Sands Jr, executive chairman of the BISX-listed lender, noted that total profit for the first half of 2020 was $19.8 million and represents a decrease of $4.6 million or...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Challenges with vital services and the lack of key infrastructure continues to impede economic growth on the island of Exuma, according to the island’s Chamber of Commerce president Pedro Rolle. Rolle pointed to the lack of proper healthcare infrastructure and inconsistent internet service among the island’s challenges during the Exuma Business Outlook yesterday. “In Exuma, Cable and...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A man who escaped from the Carmichael Road Detention Center last week Friday was captured last night, according to the Department of Immigration. Acting on intelligence, immigration and police officers executed a search warrant around 11pm at a home on Pinewood Drive where the escapee, Jack Gerlin, 31, previously lived. Gerlin, a Haitian national, and several others...

Police officer "relieved of his duties, assisting with the investigation" NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A man was shot and later died following a police-involved shooting shortly after 9pm on Exuma yesterday. According to police, the incident involved an off-duty police officer. The circumstances surrounding the shooting were not detailed in this morning's crime report. Police said the man was taken to...

Loved one: "He died fighting for what he was supposed to have" NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Convicted murderer Andrew Davis died at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services last night, Eyewitness News can confirm. Davis was convicted along with Stephen “Die” Stubbs of the 1999 murder of Constable Jimmy Ambrose and the attempted murder of Marcian Scott. He was appealing the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday that he does not know how long The Bahamas will remain under a public state of emergency amid the coronavirus pandemic. International and local health experts have said the pandemic will remain a challenge well into 2021. When asked when The Bahamas will transition from a public state of emergency...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday announced a marginal pushback of the weekday curfew and the reopening of beaches and parks on New Providence and Abaco. Amid rising cases, restrictions were imposed on both islands on October 9. During a virtual Ministry of Health press conference, the prime minister said Cabinet agreed, after consulting with the health...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Travel ahead of the increased restrictions imposed on New Providence and Abaco earlier this month was attributed to the rise in cases on several Family Islands such as Eleuthera, according to health consultant in the Office of the Prime Minister Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis. The restrictions, which included an earlier weekday curfew and 24-hour curfew over the weekends,...

Davis: "Get it together, PM. Too much is at stake." NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday dismissed media queries on whether the government is considering free mass testing for COVID-19 throughout The Bahamas. "I know you heard that statement coming from the leader of the opposition," Minnis said, when asked during a press conference on the COVID-19...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Local tour operators say they are bracing for what is ultimately expected to be a slow rebound of the tourism sector, after an operational standstill for some six months. Sonia Bowe-Adderley, principal of Island Escape Tours and president of the Tour Operators Association, said: “Everything in this segment has been closed down since March so the business...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and various restrictions Bahamians are increasingly shopping online according to a local freight forwarder, noting that it plans to push its door-to-door delivery platform. Just Ship It operations manager Alexis Roberts told Eyewitness News that like most businesses, freight forwarders and courier companies are facing challenges with COVID-19 restrictions. “It is difficult, especially...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The House of Rastafari (HOR) yesterday called on the Bahamas Christian Council (BCC) to join the fight to help people with criminal records for minor charges of marijuana possession. The Christian Council has expressed staunch opposition to marijuana reform and the potential introduction of a hemp industry. On Monday, the BCC president Bishop Delton Fernander said the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — With large residential-style villas ranging upwards of 5,000 square feet, Grand Isle Resort in Exuma is using its own architectural footprint to leap into a burgeoning market of luxury long-term rentals. Michael Lorenz, Grand Isle Sales & Marketing Director, said the resort's transformation in part from a luxury getaway to premiere stay-away is paying off. “It’s clear...

New infections on Abaco, GB on the rise NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Cases of the coronavirus declined 44 percent in The Bahamas last week compared to the week before, but reported testing figures also dropped by more than half during those two periods. Between October 14 and October 20, The Bahamas recorded 860 new confirmed cases. From October 21 to October...

RBDF expands “bubble” concept on vessels, training NASSAU, BAHAMAS — More than 200 marines in the Royal Bahamas Defence Force have been infected with COVID-19 during the second wave of the pandemic in The Bahamas, according to RBDF Commodore Raymond King. To date, there remain 56 active cases. Around 70 marines remain in quarantine following exposures. During the first wave...