The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A Bahamian accountant and fraud expert yesterday warned that  continuous lockdowns could result in long term economic harm to the country.  Kendrick Christie told Eyewitness News, “one must balance the approach". "I do believe the lockdown is a tool to be used but it has to be carefully considered as continuous lockdowns result in long term economic...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Residents in the Hill View Court area are protesting against a proposed development that would expand the use of a building in Highland Park into a medical rehabilitation facility. At the end of last month, the Department of Physical Planning indicted in a public notice that the Poinciana Recovery Institute is seeking planning approval to change the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Health officials today advised that a downward trend in COVID-19 cases has not yet been established on Grand Bahama, forcing an extension of the island's lockdown. Dr Frank Bartlett, coordinator of the Grand Bahama Health Services COVID-19 Task Force, provided an update on island at a press conference today. Bartlett said challenges are also present with the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Immigration Director Clarence Russell clarified today that only six Immigration officers have tested positive for COVID-19 to date. Minister of Financial Services, Trade & Industry and Immigration Elsworth Johnson reported there were 30 confirmed cases; however, Russell explained the minister was referring to officers who had been quarantined. Russell said the department has retained a clinical psychologist...

Walkes was the "only woman in the room" when Black Tuesday was planned NASSAU, BAHAMAS - Effie Walkes, legendary political activist, "guardian of the legacy of Black Tuesday" and Progressive Liberal Party stalwart, died this morning. She was 96. Walkes played an integral role in planning the events that marked the historical Black Tuesday in April 1965 that led to...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The University of The Bahamas has extended its deadline for returning students to pay tuition and fees for the Fall 2020 semester until the end of the week. UB noted the decision was taken after exploring how any adjustments would affect registration for new, first-time, entering students; the availability of course sections; and the administrative costs associated...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Police are investigating the murder of a man parked in front of a residence on Pine Yard Road yesterday afternoon. According to reports, the man was parked in a Honda Edix awaiting the return of his passenger when a burgundy Nissan Cube pulled alongside his vehicle shortly before 3pm. A man reportedly exited the Cube, produced a...

751 COVID-19 cases NASSAU, BAHAMAS - The number of cases in New Providence has surpassed the number of cases in Grand Bahama as the country sees a significant second surge of coronavirus cases, which began in early July. Health officials confirmed  30 new cases of COVID-19 in New Providence and six new infections on Grand Bahamas, taking the number of...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Public Service Minister Brensil Rolle revealed yesterday that thousands of NIB benefit checks remain uncollected at the National Stadium. In March, the government launched an unemployment benefits program to assist workers impacted by the ongoing global pandemic, which has seen a worldwide spread of a contagious and deadly coronavirus. However, some applicants have complained of weeks-long periods...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The county’s current lockdown will be the ‘nail in the coffin’ for many Bahamian retailers and the jobs that go with them the Bahamas Federation of Retailers (BFR) has warned, noting that companies have already ‘drained any reserves’ they may have had during the first wave of lockdowns. In a statement, the BFR underscored the wholesale and...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The digital Bahamian currency Sand Dollar is expected to be available nationwide in October, according to Central Bank Governor John Rolle. Rolle said there has been significant progress with regards to the Sand Dollar roll-out. “We are doing the work behind the scenes to complete the integration of the infrastructure with the rest of the banking system,...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS —The Bahamian economy will need time to recover from the ‘devastating shock’ of COVID-19, according to a top private sector representative. Jeffrey Beckles, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation's (BCCEC) chief executive, told Eyewitness News the country must manage its expectations. Beckles said: “A lot of people are anxious in the business community and very concerned....

Public urged to utilize the COVID-19 prevention protocols ahead of visit NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) today underscored severe challenges faced by the Princess Margaret Hospital due to the influx of suspected COVID-19 patients to the Accident & Emergency Department (A&E). The authority moved to acknowledge key issues underpinning yesterday's sick-out of some physicians and nurses of...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Immigration minister Elsworth Johnson yesterday confirmed "no less than 30" Immigration officers have tested positive for COVID-19. Johnson declined further comment when pressed for more details ahead of a Cabinet meeting. Director of Immigration Clarence Russell yesterday confirmed some 29 immigration officers have have had to quarantine during the pandemic. Russell declined comment on how many officers...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Foreign exchange inflows through the banking system fell by over 50 percent during April through June compared to last year, the Central Bank has reported, with the regulator now forecasting that the economy could shrink by 15 to 20 percent this year. Central Bank Governor John Rolle underscored the Bahamian economy “contracted sharply” over the first half...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Opposition leader Philip Davis yesterday pointed to the latest lockdown order as evidence of the government's failure to effectively mitigate the COVID-19 crisis. Davis said he was infuriated by the prime minister's revelation over the capacity of ICU beds, and apparent failure to support and protect healthcare workers - particularly doctors and nurses. He furthered the government...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — With health care facilities in New Providence and Grand Bahama reaching capacity, healthcare workers warn the government that they are at a "tipping point" as COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the country. Bahamas Doctors Union President Dr Melisande Bassett said staff members at the Princess Margaret Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department have become compromised with the...

Immigration minister urges Bahamians to take COVID-19 seriously NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Immigration Minister Elsworth Johnson yesterday said the country could not afford constant repatriations of undocumented migrants apprehended in Bahamian waters. Johnson underscored the cost was not only financial, pointing to risks to livelihood as the country grapples with rising coronavirus cases. His comments come just days after 44 Haitian...