The Big Story

Princess Margaret Hospital to begin COVID-19 testing NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pearl McMillian yesterday revealed the number of COVID-19 cases reported daily are not a clear indicator of the current level of transmission due to a backlog in testing of about five days. The backlog has significantly widened since last week's briefing on August 7 — when...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Health officials said yesterday that they are monitoring a number of current indicators in order to determine whether they will be recommending additional restrictive measures for the country. The Bahamas remains on a 24-hour lockdown, following reimplemented measures to curb the significant increase in cases during the second surge. The lockdown is expected to remain in effect...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Health minister Renward Wells yesterday urged businesses and the wider public to prepare a COVID-19 action plan as he underscored the reality of the virus being traced to a workplace. Wells pointed to the closure of multiple government offices and quasi Government agencies due to COVID-19 exposure this week. He encouraged employers and managers to ensure confidentiality...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A joint operation mounted by Operation Bahamas, Turks and (OPBAT) seized 55 sacks of suspected marijuana in the area of the Ragged Island chain on Friday. The task force from the counternarcotics partnership included the U.S. Coast Guard and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, the Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) and the Marine Division....

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has issued an amendment to lift the 24-hour curfew and lockdown in Spanish Wells. The amendment also allows vendors at Potter's Cay dock to sell produce to essential workers tomorrow, August 15. The vendors will be allowed to operate between 8am and noon. Spanish Wells joins other islands where restrictions have been...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Labour minister Dion Foulkes has confirmed the termination of 67 workers at the Grand Bahama Shipyard Limited. Foulkes said the company cited a downturn in business due to the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically the cruise industry, and the loss of two of its docks - one most recently during Hurricane Dorian last year. "They are fighting the downturn...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — After nearly two years of working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on a visa scam probe in The Bahamas, Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle said yesterday the local arm of the investigation did not substantiate the allegations against top immigration officials. Rolle spoke with Eyewitness News on the sidelines of a press conference at police...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Attorney Wayne Munroe revealed yesterday there are a number of talented lawyers participating in a class-action lawsuit against the government over the state of emergency and emergency orders. On Tuesday, Munroe’s firm filed a writ on behalf of 21 people - some of whom are business owners impacted by the orders and others who were charged and...

Cameras automatically record video, but require input from officers to obtain audio NASSAU, BAHAMAS — While the 200 body worn cameras rolled out on the police force on Wednesday evening will automatically record footage even in standby mode, the cameras require intervention from the user in some instances to record audio. The body worn cameras, Axon Body 2, automatically records...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Several air traffic controllers refused to go into the airport's control tower yesterday after more than 14 weeks of walking up 185 stairs daily due to a malfunctioning elevator. Bahamas Air Traffic Controllers Union President Hinsey McKenzie told Eyewitness News that his members were not on strike; however, they refused to continue risking their health and safety...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Prominent Attorney Christina Galanos yesterday expressed growing concern over the building backlog of criminal cases that have yet to be tried in the Supreme Court – an issue she believes has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. “Even before COVID-19 criminal Supreme Court matters were extremely backlogged and they were not being heard for some years after...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The appellate court has dismissed the civil appeal of a married couple to adopt a child, upholding the lower court’s determination to refuse the adoption application on the basis that the “true motivation” was to achieve citizenship. Milton McPhee, a Bahamian, and Sheriffa McPhee, a Jamaican, were named as the appellants. They were married in 2010. Milton...

Several restaurants allowed to open during lockdown to feed people in custody NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle said today there are currently 760 people being monitored on the Hubbcat App. Rolle said the COVID-19 enforcement unit began testing the software yesterday to ensure functionality as the unit fully takes over responsibility from the Ministry of Health for...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A recommendation for the introduction of an extended stay visa programme has been approved by Cabinet that will allow individuals to work or study from The Bahamas for a year. The Extended Stay Visa Programme recommendation was made by the Economic Recovery Committee (ERC), and is a revamp of the country's annual residency scheme. It appears to...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A new preliminary study suggests there are widespread misconceptions about COVID-19 that could undermine public health efforts to contain the outbreak, and delay the effectiveness of prevention and control measures. In a statement, the university revealed the findings of research conducted by UB Associate Professor of Nursing and Allied Health Professions at University of The Bahamas (UB) Dr...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — There have been no reports to police concerning alleged robberies at grocery stories despite social media claims, according to Chief Superintendent Shanta Knowles. In one voice note, a woman claims that a friend was robbed after leaving a food store. It was further claimed that the victim was entering her car and getting ready to leave when...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Office of the Prime Minister yesterday fired back at criticisms leveled by the Leader of the Opposition over the government's handling of the COVID-19 crisis. The OPM accused Opposition leader Philip Davis' of issuing "false, misleading" statements during a time of "extreme strain", adding the 'failure of substance' puts all Bahamians at risk. The statement furthered...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana (BNMC) has been reappointed by the prime minister for another year, according to the commission's chairman Quin McCartney. McCartney told Eyewitness News that the commission, which held its first meeting since March earlier this week, is moving to assess the way forward in order to gauge public opinion on cannabis and...